BREATHING HABITS 147 



of the lungs, we may feel well satisfied with our habit of 

 breathing. Such a method is most excellent, not only 

 on account of the ease with w r hich a large amount of air 

 is furnished to the lungs, but also because the downward 

 pressure aids the muscles of the food canal in perform- 

 ing their work and stimulates the circulation of blood 

 throughout all organs of the abdomen. 



There is no greater health talisman than the rhyth- 

 mic downward and upward movement of the dia- 

 phragm in our ordinary breathing. If we can feel 

 the alternate crowding down and return to position of 

 our abdominal organs along with this movement of the 

 diaphragm, our breathing habit is correct. We may 

 also be sure that we are filling our lungs and keeping the 

 surface of the air-cells active and healthy. If, as we 

 breathe, we cannot feel this regular rhythmic move- 

 ment of the diaphragm and abdominal organs, we are 

 not filling our lungs, nor are we furnishing our bodies 

 with the greatest possible supply of air with the least 

 possible effort. Children are born with this rhythmic 

 breathing habit. They grow out of it largely through 

 getting into bad sitting and standing positions, and 

 through wearing clothing which is tight about the waist 

 and abdomen. The foolishness of wearing such cloth- 

 ing can now be easily seen. It crowds the important 

 organs of the abdomen and prevents the breathing 

 muscles from doing their best work. Such clothing 

 also keeps the digestive organs from getting the assist- 

 ance that the full downward pressure of the diaphragm 



