The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-10-13
YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR DIAPHRAGM

Singers and readers or elocutionists say that belly breathing improves their style. Persons who stutter or stammer report that belly breathing brings better control of speech. Per-
 sons past middle age find that it tends to lower high blood pressure. "Nervous persons use belly breathing to get to sleep at night. Those subject to hiccoushs or much belching get re-
 sufferers declare that belly breathing keeps them more comfortable. Young women who have menstrual difficulties obtain permanent
 relief by the regular practice of this natural breathing. Victims of chronic "catarrhal'' trou- ble in nose or throat note a definite improve
 ment after few weeks of the simple exercise | in relaxation Sufferers from chronic digestive disturbances due to liver and gal-bladder trou-
 bles, commonly associated with hemorrhoids | in many instances obtain considerable relief by practicirg belly breathing.
 | In order to comprehend how such a simple exercise can be beneficial in so many diverse l conditions 1t Is necessary to have un elementary knowledge of the physiology of the diaphragm. | Briefly the diaphragm is a muscle which works | automatically yet is to certain degree under | control of the will. It Is stretched across the trunk or body cavity in the position of an in- | verted soup plate. It divides the supper part
 lower part, or abdomen. The great membran-
 ous muscle is stretched over the liver, stomach
 and other organs like a tarpaulin over wheat
 stack. When the diaphragm contracts 1t | squeezes down on the abdominal organs The
 first effect of this is to permit air to enter the
 lungs; inspiration, or inhalation of air He- haled, the diaphragm is contracting and press | Ing down upon the liver stomach and all the | other structure Wltnin the aDuoHleH. Ohuci
 this compression these organs press against the abdominal walls, and the front wall, the belly,
 bulges or expands At the same time the in'
 creased pressure in the abodmen tends to
 squeeze the blood out of the veins, say in the | liver, or in the great network of veins carrying
 blood from the alimentary tract to the liver, and as these veins are equipped With valves that prevent backiiow. the blood IS forced along toward the heart in the direction 1t
 should go Besides. the downWara & pnii e or , the
 CT pressure within the chest and this stili fur ther favors the flow of blood back through the great veins toward the right side of the heart. | Thus besides being he main breathing muscle | the diaphragm, when it functions naturally or normally serves as a booster pump for the
 When the inspiration, inhalation, taking in
 of breath, or, as prefer to think of 1t, the in-
 fation of the bellows (beily is derived rom the expiration, exhalaton, letting out the breath or
 dehation of the belly is purely passive occur
 renee or consequence, an elastic repound, whatever
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Lotion for Acne
 A short while ago wrote 10 TOT as,ad yomr adsice an ounce each of suhlimed sulphur compound tincture of lavender, extract of witch hazel,
 improvement and now my skin has cleared perfectly. I am grateful You cant imagine 1 how much it means to a girl of IS. (M. A. sD | Answer.-Sure can. am glad It helpea you Always glad to send advice to any reader who tells me he or she has acne (blackhcads and pimples) and inclose stamtped envelope | bearing the correct address
 | Cream in Your Coffee
 l Whether condensed milk used in coffee is as | fatteninr as cream. I am trying to limit my
 diet to prevent gaining weight. ~. S.l | Answer-Owing to the sugar added, con | densed milk yields almost twice as many caio- | ries to the ounce But evaporated milk IS rath- | CT less nutritious than cream.
 | Inspiration
 | I fear I do not quite understand tne seasoI so, ,n,,r s,Iaim that the method of resuscitaton taught by Red Cross first aid instructors Is
 wrong. (J IL. Al
 | Answer-Send a dime and a stamped envel- one bearing your address, for the booklet on decentralization" which describes and pictures | the correct method and clearly shows the error
 in the method taught by the Red Cross in- fcopyright 1888. John F. Dnle Co.,,