Healthy Breathing. — I^ittle thought is
needed, for every one to see that for good
breathing there must be sound lungs and
air- tubes, and strength in the muscles of the
chest, as well as pure air. Our breathing
muscles can be strengthened by exercise.
All active muscular movements of any part
of the body, but especially brisk walking
or running, quicken the action of the heart ;
and, as the blood then goes more rapidly
through the lungs, it needs to be, and is,
aired by quicker breathing.
Using the voice a great deal (as in speak-
ing or singing) in early life, promotes the
growth of the lungs and the strength of the
breathing muscles. Those who belong to
consumptive families should, while young,
be accustomed to active out-of-door habits ;
and for them , reading or speaking aloud or
singing (vocal gymnastics) will be whole-
some exercise ; that is, so long as they are
well . When the lungs are actually diseased ,
active efforts of all kinds should be avoided.
Pure air, and plenty of it, is a constant
necessity for health. The application of
this truth belongs in many ways to our
every-day life, especially, of course, within
doors. Out of doors we can usually trust
to nature to supply us a fair share of whole-
some air, if, of course, we keep away from
localities in which the air is vitiated by bad
sanitation or other unwholesome surround-
ings.
Personal Cleanliness. — The importance
of cleanliness in all the actions of life is al-
most too apparent to need mention, were it
not that it is so much neglected by man}^
Not only cleanliness of the skin, the hair,
the teeth, the nails, and the clothing is
necessary, but also cleanliness in all our
habits. By this means we shall avoid many
diseases which are entirely due to dirt of vari-
ous kinds. The old and excellent defini-
tion that dirt is matter in the wrong place
suggests that it should be removed ; and
when we remember that this dirt may con-
sist of irritating particles of minerals in the
form of dust, or of poisonous chemicals, and,
more fatally, of disease germs, we shall be
greatly impressed with the necessity of being
clean.
570
Clothing.
Clothing, to promote health, should be :
sufficient for comfortable warmth ; not ex-
cessive in quantity or pressure ; properly
distributed over the body ; suited to permit
transpiration and moisture ; changed often
enough for cleanliness.
Some persons, with the idea of hai^dcning
themselves, wear as little clothing in winter
as possible. This is perhaps well enough if
they are very robust ; but if not strong, they
become chilled through and may be severely
reduced in health.
Yet it is equally a mistake to keep one's
self too warm, burdening the body with un-
necessary clothing. The same is true of
bed-covering, in respect to which people
have very different needs. On the same
night one may be satisfied with a single
blanket, while another needs two or three.
Every one ought to be warm enough to
sleep comfortably.
Page 254
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Healthy Breathing. — I^ittle thought is needed, for every one to see that for good breathing there must be sound lungs and air- tubes, and strength in the muscles of the chest, as well as pure air. Our breathing muscles can be strengthened by exercise. All active muscular movements of any part of the body, but especially brisk walking or running, quicken the action of the heart ; and, as the blood then goes more rapidly through the lungs, it needs to be, and is, aired by quicker breathing.
Using the voice a great deal (as in speaking or singing) in early life, promotes the growth of the lungs and the strength of the breathing muscles. Those who belong to consumptive families should, while young, be accustomed to active out-of-door habits ; and for them , reading or speaking aloud or singing (vocal gymnastics) will be wholesome exercise ; that is, so long as they are well . When the lungs are actually diseased , active efforts of all kinds should be avoided.
Pure air, and plenty of it, is a constant necessity for health. The application of this truth belongs in many ways to our every-day life, especially, of course, within doors. Out of doors we can usually trust to nature to supply us a fair share of wholesome air, if, of course, we keep away from localities in which the air is vitiated by bad sanitation or other unwholesome surroundings.
Personal Cleanliness. — The importance of cleanliness in all the actions of life is almost too apparent to need mention, were it not that it is so much neglected by man}^ Not only cleanliness of the skin, the hair, the teeth, the nails, and the clothing is necessary, but also cleanliness in all our habits. By this means we shall avoid many diseases which are entirely due to dirt of various kinds. The old and excellent definition that dirt is matter in the wrong place suggests that it should be removed ; and when we remember that this dirt may consist of irritating particles of minerals in the form of dust, or of poisonous chemicals, and, more fatally, of disease germs, we shall be greatly impressed with the necessity of being clean.
Clothing.
Clothing, to promote health, should be : sufficient for comfortable warmth ; not excessive in quantity or pressure ; properly distributed over the body ; suited to permit transpiration and moisture ; changed often enough for cleanliness.
Some persons, with the idea of hardening themselves, wear as little clothing in winter as possible. This is perhaps well enough if they are very robust ; but if not strong, they become chilled through and may be severely reduced in health.
Yet it is equally a mistake to keep one's self too warm, burdening the body with unnecessary clothing. The same is true of bed-covering, in respect to which people have very different needs. On the same night one may be satisfied with a single blanket, while another needs two or three. Every one ought to be warm enough to sleep comfortably.