DEEP BREATHE TO BE WELL.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 16, 26 February 1918, Page 2

DEEP BREATHE TO BE WELL.

HOW IT' SHOULD BE DONE

Since deep breathing is a popular health measure, advocated also by many medical men, a scientific cansideration of the subject by a competent medical observer should be welcome. Professor Arnold Hillier, an eminent German, pointed out in a recent address that deep breathing has been recommended chiefly for asthmatics and young candidates for tuberculosis, especially children. Aside from these uses the exercises are employed to promote general well-being. Diaphragmatic (the diaphragm is the partition which separates the chest organs from the stomach organs) breathing ia superficial breathers is the only form in use. As the diaphragm descends with forced inspiration it compresses the soft, plastic tissue of the liver and increases the passage of blood through that organ. At the same time it increases the secretion and excretion of the bile.

Any condition, like gallstone disease, which is aggravated by stagnation in the liver may in theory ho prevented by deep diaphragmatic breathing. The stomach, when filled with food, may likewise be favourably influenced by the same factor ; because the movement of the stomach contents through the pylorus (the valve that controls the passage of food from stomach to intestines) is facilitated. The influence exerted on other abdominal viscera, such as the spleen and kidneys, is problematical. Costal (rib) breathing is concerned chiefly with the upper portion of the chest and promotes the circulation of blood in the lungs and. heart, because as the chest expands the blood in the great veins is forced towards the heart ; ‘ while at the same time the circulation of the brain i* somewhat depleted when fori any reason that organ is congested. Under favourable conditions a deep inspiration with expansion of the chest may be seen to empty the distended veins on the backs of the hands. A similar conservative action may be demonstrated in cases of varicose veins and haemorrhoids.

So far an any alleged clanger of emphysema (a disease due to distention of the part by air) of the lungs is concerned, the doctor has seen the latter condition disappear under deep breathing. To return to the heart, our authority insists that deep breathing causes a healthy hypertrophy (excessive development) of the right side, in which the musculature is apt to be relatively weak. The subject of the respiratory exchanges, which naturally is one of vast importance, is left by Dr. Hiller to the last. An increased .intake of oxygen naturally stimulates metabolism (the process of nutrition). Increased combustion of carbohydrates (starch and Sugar foods : cereals) may cause a notable reduction in weight, while all products of incomplete catabolism (breaking down) become fully oxidised.

Deep breathing is therefore' the most scientific resource for the prevention of uric acid disease. Much depends upon a correct technique. One must begin with diaphragmatic breathing, which naturally precedes rib breathing. The inspiratory movements are now slowly increased until all the muscles involved in rib breathing gradually participate. One begins with three daily periods of 15 or 20 minutes each. The position of the breather is immaterial, and he may do his forced breathing while standing or walking.

Dr. Hiller makes one assertion which should he modified slightly. It is true that continuous deep breathing will cause an increase in the volume of the pulse, but in some individuals a very deep breath appears to arrest the pulse because of the compression of the subclavian artery by the fully inflated apex of the lung. Hence inspirations should be limited to a certain number per minute.— "Popular Science Siftings.”