"Second Wind."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1672, 8 March 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

"Second Wind."

Here is Something, Boys, That May be New to You,

Evary boy who baa run a mile knows what it is to gain a " seoond wind," though he may not be able to explain why one minute he is out of breath and the next feels as if he could run several miles. The explanation is this :

In ordinary breathing we use only a portion of our lungs, the cells at the extremity not being brought into play. This is the reason why those who are not " in training,", and who try to run for any distance, soon begin to gasp, and unless they are courageous onoU'jh to persevere in spite of the choking [sensation, are forced to stop; bat if Ctusy will persevere the choking goes off, and the result is what is known as " second wind."

When the seoond wind is fully established, the runner does not become out of breath, but goes on running as fast as his legs will carry him.

The tact is, that on starting, the farthest portions of the lungs are choked with air, and the remainder do not supply air enough to meet the increased circulation caused by exercise.

By degrees, however, the neglected cells come into play, and when the entire lung is in working order the circulation and respiration again balance each other, and the second wind is the result.

Now let the reader repeat this experiment of holding his breath against time ; but first let him force out of his lungs every particle of air that he can expel, and then draw as deep a breath as his lungs will hold.

If this, ba repeated seventy or eighty times, by way of imitation of the whale, the experimenter will find that he can hold bis breath for a minute and a half without inconvenience.

Should he be a swimmer he should always take this precaution before " taking a header," and he will find that he can swim for a considerable distance before he needs to rise for breath.