SCIENCE OF BREATH. 13 



inhaled and the oxygen of the air comes in contact with 

 the impure blood through the thin walls of the hair-like 

 blood vessels of the lungs, which walls are thick enough 

 to hold the blood, but thin enough to admit the oxygen to 

 penetrate them. When the oxygen comes in contact with 

 the blood, a form of combustion takes place, and the blood 

 takes up oxygen and releases carbonic acid gas generated 

 from the waste products and poisonous matter which has 

 been gathered up by the blood from all parts of the system. 

 "The blood thus purified and oxygenated is carried back to 

 the heart, again rich, red and bright, and laden with life- 

 giving properties and qualities. Upon reaching 1 the left 

 auricle of the heart, it is forced into the left ventricle, from 

 whence it is again forced out through the arteries on its 

 mission of life to all parts of the system. It is estimated 

 that in a single day of twenty-four hours, 35,000 pints of 

 blood traverse the capillaries of the lungs, the blood 

 corpuscles passing in single file and being exposed to the 

 oxygen of the air on both of their surfaces. When one 

 considers the minute details of the process alluded to, he 

 is lost in wonder and admiration at Nature's infinite care 

 and intelligence. 



It will be seen that unless fresh air in sufficient quan- 

 tities reaches the lungs, the foul stream of venous blood 

 cannot be purified, and consequently not only is the body 

 thus robbed of nourishment, but the waste products which 

 should have been destroyed are returned to the circula- 

 tion and poison the system, and death ensues. Impure air 

 acts in the same way, only in a lessened degree. It will 

 also be seen that if one does not breathe in a sufficient quan- 

 tity of air, the work of the blood cannot go on properly, 

 and the result is that the body is insufficiently nourished 

 and disease ensues, or a state of imperfect health is ex- 

 perienced. The blood of one who breathes improperly is, 

 of course, of a bluish, dark color, lacking the rich redness 

 of pure arterial blood. This often shows itself in a poor 

 complexion. Proper breathing, and a consequent good cir- 

 culation, results in a clear, bright complexion. 



A little reflection will show the vital importance of 

 Correct breathing. If the blood is not fully purified by the 



