BE SURE TO BREATHE PROPERLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7132, 22 June 1901, Page 3

BE SURE TO BREATHE PROPERLY.

All Wbo Live ia Town* Should do Thia.

The secret of breathing is to a great extent secret of health, and all those who dwell in towns should therefore pay especial, attention to the subject. Normal, unconscious breathing sustains life, but it does not thoroughly expand the lungs nor oxygenate the blood. The lungs need to be bathed in air as does the body in water. To do this requires intelligence, forethought, and a- conscious act; Deep, voluntary, systematic breathing, strengthens wealc lungs and protects the strong. Quick and deep inspirations of freeh air Warm the blood -when v chilled bystanding in the open air. -Inhale --always through tiße nostrils so that the air may be wanned in the nasal passages,* and any impurities arrested uhere. Contagious diseases are comparatively rare among those who breathe through their nostrils. „*. A distinguished physiologist asserts that : "Many people die for want o$ breath!"— adding : "it is their own carelessness alone that- prevents them from breathing." Half-breathing is half-living. Many of us use only the upper* half of the lungs when breathing; Sometimes this arises from want of .thought upon the subject, sometimes from constrioted clothing, which rendeuß deep inspiration impossible. To increase the lung power is to inorease the life power. D^P brea/tihing strengthens . the . entire muscular sysdJem. A full, slow inspiration of fresh.air which penetrates the remoter lung cells, and is held as long as possible, then exhaled slowly through the parted lips,, hirilds up cells that have partially contracted through lack of use ; it nob only increases lung capacity and enriches the blood, but has a decidedly beneficial effect tipon the throat and vocal organs. , Moreover, none, need plead that they have not the time to practice breathing properly, for even five minutes a day will do you good. J^