s
entirely satisfactory, stand up, take a deep breath, and observe not
only the expansion in the region of the stomach and abdomen but also at
the sides and in the back. If you place the palms of your hands upon
the lower ribs in the back, just above the waist line, you should feel
the expansion of the body in this part pressing upward through the
action of the diaphragm as a deep breath is inhaled. Also by pressing
the hands upon the lower ribs at the sides, just above the waist
line, you will feel the lateral expansion in this region at the same
time that the expansion is noted in the front of the body. You will
therefore realize that there should be an expansion of the lower ribs at
the back and at the sides along with the expansion in the region of the
stomach and abdomen. Of course, when a very full breath is taken there
will also be an expansion of the chest following the filling up of the
lower part of the lungs.

CHAPTER IX: Outdoor Life

Civilized man is an indoor animal. We no longer live in tree-tops nor
even in caves, but in houses, and a great many of us spend the larger
part of every year in close, ill-ventilated, overheated rooms. From a
health viewpoint the cave-dweller would no doubt have the advantage
over the average American who follows a sedentary occupation. The
steam-heated apartments of our great cities are thoroughly aired
only on rare intervals, and consequently those who reside therein
often dry up in mind, soul and body along with the furniture.

In order to live in every sense of the word we must become a part of the
great outdoors. Outdoor life adds to one's vitality and vigor. It
increases one's energies and enthusiasms. You cannot be ambitious or
vivacious, you cannot really amount to anything in life, if you
are confined to an overheated flat.

If there is any hobby that is worth while it is one that takes us out-
of-doors. What the attractive features of your hobby may be, is not
of very great importance provided this object is secured. You must be
lured away from your stuffy living rooms and encouraged to breathe the
fresh, pure air of the open.

There are out-of-door exercises of all sorts which are of great value,
but even a seat in a motor car wherein your exercise is
confined principally to increased respiration through the pleasure that
comes with fast riding, is at least of some value. The health of the
nation, as a whole, ha