this, by special effort, can be increased by
some 110 cubic inches. Thus it is demonstrated how much more air we
could take into the lungs by better and deeper breathing, thereby
securing, sooner or later, a greater natural expansion of the lungs,
with the result, of course, of improved health generally.

It would surprise most people if they tested their breathing capacity
by the aid of the spirometer, to discover how inefficiently they did
breathe; in other words, how much below the normal was the amount of
air they were usually inspiring. Encouragement might also be found in
the matter--incentive, that is, to learn how to breathe and exercise
correctly and scientifically--if mention were here made categorically
of the very profound influences upon certain physiological processes
of our organisation which are brought about if we would but mend our
ways in this respect. Space will only allow of a few such to be
detailed.

1. The circulation is improved and equalised. This implies much more
than appears on the surface: it means that the blood is made to flow
from any congested internal organ (such as the liver, stomach, etc.)
towards the peripheries--that is, the extremities and everywhere where
there is the capillary system--the changing-place between the venous
and the arterial blood; thus we at the same time warm our extremities
and relieve internal congestion. In other words, "to bring the blood
to the surface" in many conditions of ill-health is of paramount
importance.

2. It will strengthen the action of the heart and lungs. For lack of
proper breathing exercises the heart's walls get thin, the expansive
power of the lungs' tissue gets less, and as a consequence, when any
little extra strain is thrown upon either, permanent damage is often
the result.

3. In any tendency to constipation, indigestion and similar
conditions, such exercises are especially beneficial, and that both by
flushing the system with more oxygen and by mechanically exerting
pressure on the different organs--thus giving those latter what is
actually a good massaging!

4. Indirectly, such exercises must of necessity be splendid for
"nerves," as we thus get these supplied with a larger amount of
purified blood, and of course this must result in better and
heightened nerve and brain action.

And all this--and much more which we have not space enough to deal
with--being so, it might now be well asked, who and what class of
individuals w