p. 10 | EXERCISE OF THE LUNGS by Ruth Bryant, M.D.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 5, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 36.

EXERCISE OF THE LUNGS.

By Ruth Bryant, M.D.

If you would know how exhilarating and invigorating a good draught of oxygen is, just go out-of-doors as soon as dressed in the morning, and fill the lungs to their utmost capacity repeatedly, taking in a deep inspiration slowly through the nostrils until complete, then holding the breath and tapping the chest. This will open many air cells that in ordinary respiration remain closed, and make room for more air. It is surprising how much the lung power may be increased by this simple means; and there is no better time to develop the lung power than before breakfast, when the stomach is empty, and the body is refreshed from sleep.

The exercise may be continued from a few minutes to begin with, up to half an hour at a time. If the person is feeble, it may be taken in a recumbent position on the bed, taking care to remove all heavy covers and to open all the windows and outside door, if there be one.

This exercise is applicable to all classes of individuals, the well to preserve health, the sick to restore health, especially to those who have diminished lung power, those who are shut up long hours in offices, and that large class of pale blue and yellow dyspeptics who never breathe deep enough to thoroughly oxygenate the blood and burn up the waste matter in their bodies. If those half invalids who feel weak and faint in the morning, and think they must have a cup of tea or coffee before arising, will put their heads out of the window and inhale a full measure of fresh air for a few minutes, they will doubtless be surprised to find they will need no further stimulant. The trouble is we forget that oxygen in the air has even more to do with the nutrition of the body than food in the stomach, and we shut out and ignore the life-giving principle that is trying to gain access to our dwellings by every crack and crevice, and even go farther and keep it out of our bodies by constricting the lungs by tight clothing.

In order to perform the exercise with benefit it is needless to say the clothing should be loose and light enough not to interfere with the free expansion of the chest. Of course this would raise havoc with the narrow, tapering waist; so those young ladies who prefer to live half the length of their days, and be muddy-skinned, shriveled-up wasps, would better keep on drawing up their corset strings tightly to keep out the intruding oxygen. But the other class, who are satisfied with God's creation, and prefer roses in their cheeks to faded leaves, may gladly receive the gifts which God proffers, and freely inhale the breath of life He so bountifully bestows.—Ruth Bryant, M.D.