248 THE REASON WHY. 



"And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou ? that thou 



shalt answer, For the tidings, because it cometh ; and every heart shall 



melt, and all hands shall be feeble." EZEKIEL xxi. 



the pause in the respiration has caused a momentary deficiency of 

 breath, and the involuntary nerves of respiration, coming 1 suddenly 

 to the aid of the lungs, cause a spasmodic action of the parts 

 involved, and a yawn, attended by a deep inspiration to compensate 

 for the cessation of breathing, are the result. 



1023. Why do we cough ? 



Because the respiratory organs are excited by the presence of 

 some body foreign or unnatural to them. A cough is an effort on 

 the part of the air tubes to free themselves from some source of 

 irritation. And so important are the organs of breathing to the 

 welfare of the body, that the muscles of the chest, back, and 

 abdomen, unite in the endeavour to get rid of the exciting 

 substance. 



1024. Why do we sneeze ? 



Because particles of matter enter the nostrils and excite the 

 nerves of feeling and of smell. In sneezing, as in coughing, the 

 effort is to free the parts affected from the intrusion of some matters 

 of an objectionable nature. And in this case, as in the former one, 

 there is a very general sympathy of other organs with the part 

 affected, and an energetic effort to get rid of the evil. 



1025. Why do we sigh ? 



Thi action of sighing arises from very similar causes to those of 

 yawning. But in sighing, the nervous depression is caused by 

 grief', while in yawning, it is the result of fatigue. In sighing, the 

 effect is generally caused by an expiration in yawning by an 

 inspiration. The mind, wearied and weakened by sorrow, 

 omits for a few seconds to continue the respiratory process ; and 

 then suddenly there comes an involuntary expiration of the breath, 

 causing a faint sound as it passes the organs of the voice. 



1026. W hy do we laugh ? 



Laughing is caused by the very opposite influences that produce 

 sighing. The nervous system is highly excited by some external 

 cause. The impression is so intense, and the mind so fixed upon it, 

 that the respiratory process is irregular, and uncontrolled. Persona 



