The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-12-19

morning is in position to benefit by deep breath
ing. Here she has fine supply of perfectly fresh,
pure air. and every breath which she draws into her
lungs is necessarily pure breath.
But in its purity lies its danger The air all
frosty and perhaps. snow laden is far too cold to
be drawn Immediately into the system, and the girl
who is going to indulge in deep breathing must use
great deal of discretion along with her casthen
les.
There is fad now for the drawing of deep, full
breaths. And it is a fad which is fraught with
great deal that is beneficial But unfortunately it
is often abused put to good advantage. The
trouble is that deep breathing, unless practiced in
the right manner, does a great deal more harm than
good
For deep breathing the air must be pure but not
too cold, and the woman who is taking deep breath
ing lessons before the open window would be wise
step back into the room for six even eight feet
If the room will alloW-in order that she be out
7 of the strong current.
The air of the room which is purified by the open
window is also partly heated by the temperature of
the room and Is much less apt to chill the lungs
than though it were drawn into them clear and
brisk. The moderate the air the better and,
before inhaing it into the lower lungs the patient
should be sure that it is well warmed,
Once positive that it can be taken into the
mouth the throat and the lungs without injury, the
patient take al of the deep breathing exercises
and can go through them all with vig0r. She can
fill her lungs with a deep breath of air, and then
slowly eXhale the air. letting it 90 out of the mouth
puff by puff or in long, steady breaths.
\ great many persons do not understand what
deep breathing Is, and a number have asked this
question 1t is nothing more nor less than the art
of filing the lungs full of fresh air and of letting
the air escape, and of filling them again. 1t is
way of breathing, that is all And, if you have
learned it, you come after while to breathe this
way naturally all the time, and without trying to
do so.
There people who practice deep breathing
as they walk in the street They take deep breath
and let it escape from between the lips slowly, tax
ing three or four steps to breath.
great many persons advocate abdominal
breathing entirely through the nosrils keeping the
mouth closed all the while. But this is difficult no
matter how beneficial 1t may be. Still, it is worth
the trial. ~
Deep breathing in front of an open window will
tougher the lungs and make the throat stronger
for the duties of the day School teachers saleswo-
men and women who-are compelled TO use the vocal
chords great deal will find il of great assistance
to them. The voice is strengthened and the ex-
hausted feeling which comes from the using of the
lungs too much is prevented. As preventive of
colds the calsthenics in the open window are highly
recommended by physicians The body grows
stronger all the time, and the tired condition of the
winter months is avoided.
Don't be afraid. then, TO throw open the window;
and don't be afraid to throw out your arms and
exercise. Don't think that you will take cold and
feel Ill all day On the contrary, if you go at it
properly you will be greatly benefited by your at
tempt.