RESPIRA 



145 



filled with air. When the air is inhaled, the walls of the 

 chest are expanded from a, e, to , 6, and the diaphragm 

 drawn down from e, c?, to 6, of, and consequently the walls of 

 the abdomen are carried from e, e, to 6, c, and the diameters 

 of both are increased. 



FIG. XXI. Side Flew of expanded and contracted Chest. 



e, d, Diaphragm drawn up. 

 6, d, Diaphragm drawn down. 



a, e, c, Front wall of contracted chest and 

 abdomen. 



a, b, c, Front wall of expanded chest and ab- 

 domen. 



327. This expansion of the chest and abdomen cannot 

 take place unless there is room outwardly. If the body is 

 enclosed in any inelastic girdle or dress which fits it closely 

 when the chest is empty, it must be confined within that 

 limit, and its expansion prevented. 



328. Some of the fashions of the dress of females of 

 modern times, and in civilized nations, have precisely the 

 effect of bandages to confine the ribs, and limit the expansion 

 of the chest, and prevent the inhaling of the due quantity of 

 air. The corsets are made of inelastic materials, and usu- 

 ally so constructed and laced as to exactly fit the shape of 

 the bust, and lie as closely to the surface as possible. When 

 these are worn, and the other garments are arranged upon 



