The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-10
Harper's Weekly.

~ y q j
AS we grow older. only your most inti-
mate friends-and they not always-dare
to tell us of our faults. How many times
have you had occasion to say to yourself,
.What a pity Mrs. So-andSo has nobody
to tell her that she whistles most disa-
greeably when she breathes? ?"-or, II
anybody dared to inform Mrs. Tries-to-
Please that. If she would keep her hands
still, she would make an infinitely better
Impression" ...-.a& Y z.-t-- .... 9.
To one who has really made an effort
to learn how to use the breath, and who
sees how little this wonderful healer and
restorer is understood. 1t is Incompetent
sible that many people should regard in
formation on the subject as almost i'm
pertinent Everybody knows and will ac-
knowledge thaat breathing Is a somewhat
important part of the human economy;
but the implication that he does not do
1t rightly. Is frequently resented. Not
long ago, in little gathering Of women.
who knew each other we'll and exchanged
condolences with each other whenever
they met, an interesting tale was told
concerning this matter of breathing. 1t
was so illuminating to all of those pres
ent that we pass it on for the benefit OF
others. Then, If they can find sensible
hearers, who will not get mad at the
implication that they, perhaps. do not
know how to breathe it can be dissent
mated still more widely.
IA good many years ago." began one
Of the most vivacious of our number, "a
member of my family was i'll. The young
doctor who treated him said much to
him on the subject of breathing. I was
once In bad way, said the doctor,
from incipient tuberculosis, but I was
cured by outdoor air in abundance. and
plenty Of deep breathing. I was obliged to
remain in the city; but kept myself out
doors at least eight hours each day, and
every time I crossed street I took in a
deep breath through my nostrils, keeping
my mouth closed. I held the breath un-
til I reached the opposite curbstone when
I expired it slowly. I have been sound
and well now for many years-but I still
keep up my deep breathing, and 1t is of
the greatest benefit to me-.
Not Cure but a Preventive.
1--WE were all much impressed by
what the doctor said, that we resolved
to breathe more deeply, but it is a great
bother to try to breathe right, and the
matter soon slipped from our minds,
though no doubt we might have saved
ourselves many colds and other lung
troubles if we had been willing to regard
the doctors homiles.
'At least ten years later I attended a
lecture by a well-known literary man.
who in the course Of his talk, informed
us that he had not had cold for twenty
years-though he had once been great
sufferer from colds. He had freed him
self from this scourge by breathing prop.
erly-a thing which he ventured to say
that not a dozen among the many hun
dreds before him knew how to do, OF
would be willing to do if they knew how
He went on to say that. if they would eacf
+ take fifty deep breaths, exactly as the
doctor had described the process. they
might be as free as he himself had beer
from bronchitis, grippe, pneumonia ant
consumption.
He dWelt ON the subject with so mucl
earnestness I re-resolved to attend to m,
breathing. for I had had several annoy
ing colds during the preceding winter
but I was greatly excited over family af
fairs during the next few months, AM
again I forgot all about my brea thing.
Several months later I was present a
a brilliant dinner party. Among my fel
2 low guests were distinguished genera
and a young and handsome prma donna
who was afflicted with a dreadful cold
I was amused to have the general lea1
over toward us before long, and utter tn
following little sermon to the wheeling
singer I can't cure your cold' he SAID
but I can keep you from having anothe
one-if you will only believe what I say
and take the trouble to practice it. 1 fee
pretty sure that you will not believe me
and equally sure that you will not. unles
You make a special effort, remember