Pure Air and Correct Breathing—Their Value
By D. H. Kress, M.D.
By D. H. Kress, M.D., Physician in Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium BREATHING exercises, in which the lungs are compelled to take in more air than is required, soon tire the lungs. Such exercises may even become injurious. Vigorously inflating the lungs may result in the rupture of a blood-vessel and cause hemorrhage. In their anxiety to develop the lungs, those having a tendency to tuberculosis should be especially careful not to overdo. The better and safer way is to create a natural demand, or thirst, for air by exercise sufficiently vigorous to make expansion of the lungs a necessity and delight. Useful exercise connected with the ordinary duties of life, if properly taken, is far superior to any of the breathing exercises so highly recommended, in the development of lung capacity. Going upstairs, while keeping the body erect and the shoulders well back, and energizing the legs and trunk, may be made a most excellent exercise to encourage full and deep respiration. A brisk, cheerful walk in the open air, with an erect posture and chest well forward, is exhilarating, and affords one of the best of breathing exercises. An occasional run, hill-climbing, swimming, rowing, etc., are desirable ways of increasing lung capacity; but these may be exercises overdone. This danger does not exist in bringing physical culture into the performance of our daily duties. With a little intelligence the ordinary household duties may be performed in a way to encourage symmetrical development of all the muscles and organs of the body. Even those who are compelled to sit in offices will experience great benefit by keeping the body erect and energized while writing or doing other office work which they must do in a sitting posture. While sitting, full, deep inspirations of air may be taken at each breath. This will aid in keeping the blood pure and the brain clear, so that better mental work may be done. Occasionally during the day, five minutes may be profitably spent before an open window, in some exercise that will create a demand for air, and will tend to develop lung capacity. Deep abdominal breathing develops the abdominal muscles, which form a normal support for the viscera. The intra-abdominal pressure exerted by the well-developed abdominal walls upon the viscera and blood-vessels prevents congestion and disease of these organs. It also exerts a most beneficial influence upon the work done by the liver, stomach, and other abdominal viscera. If the abdominal muscles are well developed, each descent of the diaphragm causes a certain amount of extra pressure, which forces the impure blood out of the viscera and abdominal cavity, toward the heart and lungs, for purification; and each ascent permits a new flow of rich arterial blood, charged with life, to enter these organs. Thus the digestion is improved, and the liver and other organs are capable of doing their best work. Even the most wholesome food may cause indigestion if deep abdominal breathing is ignored. Singing may be made of great value not only in lung development and in the prevention and cure of disease of the lungs, but in keeping the abdominal and pelvic organs free from congestion and disease, by encouraging a free flow of blood through them. Singing, properly executed, is one of the most important measures for the prevention and cure of congestive diseases of the liver, stomach, lungs, and other organs. In conclusion: Maintain an erect posture, whether sitting, standing, or walking. In order to breathe properly, it is necessary to keep erect, and thus allow free expansion of the lungs and unrestricted movement of the diaphragm. The erect position, with full breathing, encourages a free circulation of blood through all the abdominal and pelvic organs, increasing the efficiency of their work, and thus preventing disease. Physical toil should always be combined with mental effort. The time spent in exercise in the open air, is not time lost to the mental worker; for it increases mental power, so that better work may be done than could possibly be done without it. Especially is this important for the missionary worker. The success of such a worker will be greatly increased by physical toil. It tends to dispel feelings of depression, impatience, and pessimism. It is an aid in the cultivation of hopefulness, optimism, and good cheer.