Importance of Correct Breathing.
HUMAN life and health are so dependent upon the air taken into the system through the medium of the lungs, and a healthy state of these organs, that information upon this subject is always interesting and appropriate. Notwithstanding the excellent works extant, the breathing of many persons is so imperfect as to be the superinducing cause of their various ailments. Who, for instance, traces the bad feelings with which he is constantly annoyed, to lack of full and deep inspiration? Who traces the extreme nervousness and depression of the mind, almost bordering at times on desperation and insanity, to this cause? And yet the evidence is conclusive that there is no more prolific cause of dyspepsia, liver derangement, constipation, extreme physical languor with mental and nervous depression, resulting in the distortion of the spinal column, flattening of the abdomen, and rigidity of the entire muscular system, with cold extremities. It is not enough that we are constantly surrounded by the air both out of doors and in our houses. If we do not introduce a sufficient quantity into our system, disease is the inevitable consequence. The free and easy expansion of the chest is obviously indispensable to the full play and dilation of the lungs; whatever impedes it either in dress or in position is prejudicial to health, and on the other hand, whatever favors the free expansion of the chest equally promotes the healthy fulfillment of the respiratory functions. Stays, corsets, and tight waistbands operate most injuriously, by compressing the thoracic cavity, and impeding the due dilatation of the lungs, and in many instances they give rise to consumption. I have seen one case in which the liver was actually indented by the excessive pressure, and long continued bad health, and ultimate death was the result. Dr. Herbst, of Gottingen, has lately been performing some curious experiments in relation to the quantity of air that is breathed. Now, a person of any understanding will appreciate from them the comfort of full and unrestrained breathing. Dr. Herbst says that a middle-sized man, twenty years old, after a natural expiration, or emission of air, inspired or took in eighty cubic inches when dressed, and one hundred and sixty when his tight dress was loosened. After a full dilatation of the chest, he inhaled one hundred and twenty-six inches when dressed, and one hundred and eighty-six when undressed. Another young man, aged twenty-one, after a natural expiration, took in fifty when dressed, and ninety-six when undressed. Had Dr. Herbst made his observations on some of the ladies who carry the use of corsets to extremes, we apprehend he would have obtained results of a nature really alarming.—Health and Home.