Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-11
by J. II. KELLOGG, NJ. D., LII. D.

by J. II. KELLOGG, NJ. d., LIZ ~
TTORSEs. dogs ard babies know now
III TO breathe without instruction, out
the majority of adults ana even nan
grown children are quite unacdualn'ed
with the art Of correct breathing IN
correct brea thing the entire chest CAVITY
s expanded. The chest Is constructed IN
such n way as TO facilitate norman
breathing. In the lower Part OF ule
body we have the pelvis, which supports
the form. At the upper part OF ,he
body are the collar bones shou'ueT
blades, ribs and breast bone. The verte'
brae behind form "A support FOR me upper
part of the trunk. In the miuule por-
ton of the trunk are the hodIihs tbs. tbs
At this point there is great HeNlplltE
and opportunity for movement SO II "
apparent that the greatest "'o'ciHe"'
should be in the center
The trunk IL divided by a movable
muscular curtain --- the diaphragm -
ghich moves TO and fro with respiration.
When air is taken into any part or the
trunk, the cavity is enlarged. Ihe lower
part of the trunk must necessarily OK,
pand with the upper part. Nornai
breathing is the means OF rnytNihicaIE
COMPRISING the visCerd ana so pumping
the blood out OF the large VEINS OF the
abdomen At the same time WIN cach
breath, the diaphragm descends ana COM
presses the viSCera As one might "rI"s
water out Of n sponge. rms move
ment of the vsccra is necessary ior
health.
The diaphragm Is a pump; II pumps
air on one side and blood on the other.
Breathing has an important reIa''oH !"
the circulation, Cor the movement ot
,t, at thp blood out OF
the liver sending IL out into the genera
circulation Deem breathing. then, Is
of the highest Importance in maintaining
the health Of the stomach. the liver
and other abdominal organs. Nheh
deep. forceful respiration does not oc.
cur the blood stagnatcs in the abdominal
viscera and disease is the result
The normal rate Of respiration Is SIN
teen to eighteen times a minute or
about one breath for every -FOUR heart
beats The rate OF respiration dllers
greatly in different animals. The hlppo-
uotamus, for example breaths ninety
times minute. and the rat two times
in the same period. The oN, the dog
and the horse breathe at about the
same rate as man.
The amount OF air that passes in and
put Of tho lungs during respiration Is
. about tWtnlS-IlNe Iublt ll'iifHs me
represents however. but small part
/ Of the actual capacity Of the lungs. The
average man Is able TO take into the
lungs. after an ordinary respiration,
one hundred or more cubic inches and
70 force out Of the lungs. after an or
/ dinary expiration, an equal amount.
/ There Is still left In the lungs, after
as much air as possible has been forced
out of them, about one hundred cubic
, inches. making the total lung capacity
/ OF the average man about three hundred
and twenty-five inches, which is equa
to nearly one and "A half gallons
During the sleeping hours the res
piratOry movements are more superficial
than when one is awake and resting
They are also slower. The lungs anc
chest are a great central engine whicI
influences the activity Of every organ
even every cell in the entire body I.css
ened breathing. during sleep, slows dowI
every function. II is necessary tina
activity should be lessened i'm order tina
sleep and rest may be secured. hut TIL
Wort; OF the liver and kidneys and IN
testinal digestion goes on during sleel
to the same extent as during the waking
hours. thus requiring the expenditure 0
oxygen. Hence the body should be sup
piled with an abundance Of fresh nj
during sleep by the proper ventilation
Of the sleeping rooms.