DEEP BREATHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 8

DEEP BREATHING.

There is proverbial counsel against looking a gift horse in the mouth', but it loses force when the recipient is compelled by the terms of the gift to trust his life on its back in a hazardous journey. In this inquiring frame of mind the bequest made by Mr. Herbert Smith should be examined. It is in itself a splendid gifts £IO,OOO to be devoted to the promotion of good health among the children of NewZealand cannot be viewed without gratitude. There is more than patriotism in the thought that prompted it. It is the outcome of a very sensible and practical realisation of the importance of good physique and the value of athletic development in fostering physical stamina. It is not easily possible to conceive a better devotion of Mr. Smith's handsome legacy than to a scheme designed to induce the greatest possible number of .the Dominion's youth "to become hardy and characterful men and women." Yet the bequest is unfortunately encumbered with conditions that embarrass its application. "No scheme must have in any part of it," the testator insists, "conscious deep breathing," which he thought likely to develop "the very dangerous habit of holding the breath" during exertion. In imposing this restriction, Mr. Smith has seriously limited the value of his gift. There is reason to believe that deep-breathing exercises are beneficial. They help to develop the remoter regions of the lungs, to expel foul elements from those regions, and generally to increase the oxygenation of the blood. Observation of pearl-divers and experience of various systems of physical exercise support an opinion contrary to that held by Mr. Smith. It will be well to allow experts to state their views, and, if necessary, to have steps taken to vary the terms of the bequest.