HEALTH LECTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 26

HEALTH LECTURE.

There was only a moderate attendance at the Garrison Hall on Monday evening when Dr Greenwood lectured on The Lost Art of Breathing" and Mr F. A. Hornibrook on

" Health by Natural Methods." Those who did attend, however, were rewarded, for the lectures proved highly instructive, and much useful information was given. Dr Greenwood laid stress on the importance of the cultivation of the lungs. It was important to learn how to breathe correctly. Scarcely one man in 100 knew how to breathe naturally. It had been stated by prominent authorities that one generation of correct breathers would regenerate the race. Luxurious habits, dress, worry, stress of life, etc., all tended to present muscles being used in the correct -way. The breath should be drawn into the body through the nostrils, and not through the mouth. Mouth breathing ■was common among civilised people, and was responsible for many of ihe ailments, especially among children. There were three kinds of breathing in vogue — collarbone, rib, and abdominal breathing. The last was the correct way to breathe, or if a large breath was to be taken a combmatioja of rib and abdominal breatning would be employed. Dr Greenwood went on to speak of the importance of the cultivation of the abdominal muscles, and with the- assistance of four of Mr Wilson's pupils He demonstrated in a striking manner what pressure could be put on those muscles when well trained. The importance of ventilation was next touched upon, and the necessity of admitting more pure air into the house was strongly impressed upon those present. Night air was purer than day air, and more fresh air was required at night than the day. It was a rare thing for an habitual deep breather to catch colds. This part of the lecture was closed with exhibiting ou the screen pictures of leading athletes and fine specimens of statuary work. Mr Hornibrook, who followed, strongly condemned the use of corsets, whisky drinking, the inhaling of cigarette smoke into the lungs, and he counselled any young fellow who bad contracted the habit" to give it up at once as the longer it was indulged in the harder it was to give up. Some amusing pictures of the effect of the corset on the human frame, as well as on the frame of a cow, horse, and dog, were shown, and these pictures were very laughable. Drugs and the high-heeled shoe were also condemned, and the lecturer spoke of the necessity there was at the present day for physical culture, which ho thought should commence about five. A number of fine pictures were thrown on the screen, and came out distinctly, and the lecturers answered several questions which were Put by members' of the audience. The limelight was successfully operated by Mr Loasby, of the Acetylene Gas Company.

Speaking at the annual presentation of trophies to the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles on Wednesday night, Mr F. Watson, of Timaru, said that h-e had kept a recoid of what it cost him to meet the demand of Volunteer corps, church bazaars, poultry societies, and so forth in prizes. Last year his total -was £4-2 0s lid. He complained that small traders had to bear the brunt of this tax, and that the large companies in die town ga^c practically nofhincr in this MO.V.

''When I meet ladies in English =ocioty who have little, or no money." remarked Father Hayi on Wednesday evening. "T ki.ow what the explanation' i?. In" most ca^cs it l, the drink, or drug* or baeraiai. When I lctmn Homo I m^'nd to continue niv temporanre uibPtlo, and nl-o to preach. eri.-pcially an mig-t the ', ltl.-nl ladio- in Eiiykudj a^uim ti^-e c\ih of bcutarat."