HOME ECONOMICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19465, 28 April 1925, Page 3

HOME ECONOMICS.

On Thursday evening • last Dr Malcolm sp&ko to a large audience of home economics members and University women students on the subject of respiration and health. lie opened his address with u short account of the nature of air, and explained that when oxygen is taken into tiro body much of it formed carbon dioxide, so that in the air breathed out some of tho oxygen was replaced by this gas. Slides were shown which gave an idea cf the inner structure of the lungs and their similarity to a hollow tree with hollow branches and twigs that ended in inflated air spaces. Because of this great surface in the lungs which was supplied with many blood vessels there was great need to keep ventilating them with fresh air. Dr Malcolm described how people should breathe and drew attention to the fact that the nose was the natural channel for the incoming air because it warmed and filtered it and so kept out dust, soot, etc., and acted as a trap for bacteria. Actually, he said, a room could be cleared of bacteria by put - ting people into it. If the nose was neglected for breathing adenoids resulted, blocking tho passage and producing harmful results. Deep breathing was obtained naturally by exercise and cold baths and could bo cultivated. Its value lay in expansion of parts of the lung not always m use. Abdominal breathing had a very beneficial effect on the circulation. Tho effect of badly ventilated rooms was dealt with and it was pointed out that fresh air owed its good effect not so much to the increased oxygen as to its stimulating powers. At the close of tho address a heartv vote of thanks was proposed to Dr Malcolm for his inter) sely interesting lecture.