196 EXERCISE OF THE LtTNOS. 



Judicious exercise of the lungs is one of the 

 most efficacious means which we can employ for 

 promoting their development and warding off then 

 diseases. In this respect the organs of respiration 

 closely resemble the muscles and all other organ- 

 ized parts. They are made to be used, and if they 

 are left in habitual inactivity their strength and 

 health are unavoidably impaired; while, if their ex- 

 ercise be ill-timed or excessive, disease will as cer- 

 tainly follow. 



The lungs may be exercised indirectly by such 

 kinds of bodily or muscular exertion as require 

 quicker and deeper breathing ; and directly by the 

 employment of the voice in speaking, reading aloud, 

 crying, or singing. In general, both ought to be 

 conjoined. But where the chief object is to im- 

 prove the lungs, those kinds which have a tendency 

 to expand the chest, and call the organs of respira- 

 tion into play, ought to be especially preferred. 

 Rowing a boat, fencing, quoits, shuttlecock, and the 

 proper use of dumb-bells and gymnastics are of this 

 description. All of them employ actively the mus- 

 cles of the chest and trunk, and excite the lungs 

 themselves to freer and fuller expansion. Climbing 

 up hill is, for the same reason, an exercise of high 

 utility in giving tone and freedom to the pulmonary 

 functions. 



Where, either from hereditary predisposition or 

 accidental causes, the chest is unusually weak, 

 every effort should be made, from infancy upwards, 

 to favour the growth and strength of the lungs by 

 the habitual use of such of the above-mentioned ex- 

 ercises as can most easily be practised. The ear- 

 lier they are resorted to, and the more steadily they 

 are pursued, the more certainly will their beneficial 

 results be experienced. In their employment, the 

 principles explained in the chapter on the muscles 

 ought to be adhered to. 



Habitual exercise in a hilly country, and the fre- 



