Oxygen by E. H. Matthewson, M.D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Nov 12, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 45.

Oxygen

By E. H. Matthewson, M.D.

STEPS TO HEALTH. No. 2.

Oxygen.

ONE of the first essentials to all living things is oxygen. Without it fire will not even burn and all living things perish. Iron and steel can be burned in pure oxygen and how much more important to us than for other purposes. We can not use oxygen, however, in its pure state; so we find it mixed with nitrogen, hydrogen, and other gases. The air also contains moisture. If one stops breathing but a few moments he becomes so poisoned that the heart stops and death follows; why?—The oxygen is necessary to burn up and dissolve the impure matter, which is generated in every action or thought. The presence of oxygen or fresh air increases the activity of every organ, stimulates the circulation, is necessary to digestion, to thought and to any act. When we take a full inspiration, the oxygen enters the lung, passes through the membrane into the blood, by which it is carried to every part. We find it to be a law of nature, however, that when gases in different proportions are brought together they tend to equalize, so that if there be oxygen in the air we breathe and very little in the blood, the blood absorbs the oxygen until the amount in the blood and in the air are equal; but if we breathe impure air and get but a small amount of oxygen, there will but little oxygen pass into the blood; so we find it is true that persons who are compelled to live in close quarters, become pale and lose their vigor because they fail to breathe. One writer states that fresh air excites the appetite, renders the digestion of food more perfect, and induces sound and sweet sleep. "It refreshes the body, tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind," and again, "air is the free blessing of heaven calculated to electrify the whole system."

It is certainly worth every effort then to see that we breathe the purest air at all times. We should have windows open throughout all the twenty-four hours, unless the circulation is otherwise provided for, of course being careful to avoid drafts and in all cases gradually accustoming ourselves to any change. Fresh air is necessary for sick or well alike, and must be had in order to retain health and vigor. By all means let us not neglect, therefore, to provide ourselves with an abundance of fresh air, which is so free to all, and so necessary to the vigor of every part. Many poisons are excreted in the air we exhale, and so a room may be full of deadly poison,

and yet have a good quantity of oxygen; so let us by all means see that we get a free circulation in our rooms day and night.

We may be surrounded by an abundance of pure air and yet breathe but a small amount; so it is an important question how to breathe.

How to Breathe.

If the blood does not freely circulate in all parts of the body we do not get the full benefit of the oxygen it contains; so it is necessary to breathe in a way that will stimulate the circulation of the blood. If the shoulders are thrown back, the chest forward, and we use the muscles of both the chest and abdomen, the full, regular movements will aid the heart in forcing the blood to all parts.

If we find that we do not use the chest or abdomen sufficiently when we breathe, but are only taking shallow inspirations, it is our duty to make a constant effort to breathe as deeply as possible, always taking the erect position mentioned, and keep the practice up till it becomes natural to us.

One of the valuable results of a brisk walk on a cool winter's morning is the increased breathing which we are compelled to do. Cool bathing also stimulates breathing and quickens the circulation, while overheated rooms would be detrimental to both.

Deep breathing greatly stimulates the circulation besides providing us with a much larger quantity of pure air.

Chicago Sanitarium, Chicago, Ill.