RESPIRATION AND THE VOICE. 139 



4. The voice can be improved by cultivation. The 

 breathing-muscles grow stronger, and also the muscles of 

 the voice-box itself. The power to make firm, clear, sweet 

 sounds increases. It is by singing that this is sought. 

 But singing is not the only way of improving the vocal 

 powers. To speak well is of more consequence than to 

 sing well. In singing, the sound is the main thing, and 

 less attention is paid to articulation. In speaking, it is 

 important, not only that the tones should be clear and 

 pleasing, but also that the pronunciation of words and 

 syllables and letters should be distinct and correct. By 

 taking care in speaking, we gradually train the muscles 

 of the tongue and cheeks and throat, by which we make 

 words, until it becomes a habit to speak well. 



EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. 



SECTION VIII. 1. If more than a small amount of 

 alcohol is taken, it is cast out of the body unchanged. 

 One way in which it goes out is by the breath. The 

 breath of an habitual drinker always betrays him. It 

 contains, besides the vapor of water and carbonic-acid gas, 

 which are natural, the vapor of alcohol, which is unnat- 

 ural. This is easily known by its odor, and is offensive. 



2. Tobacco has a similar influence on the breath. Its 

 continuous use, even in moderate quantity, gives an odor 

 to the breath which is peculiar and disagreeable. While 

 fresh tobacco-smoke is not offensive to some who do not 

 use it, the stale fumes which cling to the persons and the 

 rooms of smokers are always unpleasant. 



3, The bad effects of tobacco-smoke are increased when 

 it is drawn with the breath into the lungs. More of its 

 poisonous ingredients pass through the air-cells, and reach 

 the blood. 



