CHAPTER XVI 



BREATHING HABITS 



To breathe was the first thing each of us did on 

 coming into the world, and we have kept on breathing 

 ever since. Surely this is one thing that all must have 

 done exactly right ! Strange as it may seem, there are 

 different ways of breathing, some of which are much 

 better than others. It is also true that if any person 

 is using one of the less effective methods, he can without 

 doubt become healthier and stronger, both physically 

 and mentally, by forming a better habit. Before 

 considering the different ways of breathing, it will be 

 well to notice the position of the lungs in the House 

 that Jack Has. We want also to observe how well they 

 are protected and how skillful is the arrangement by 

 which they are easily supplied with the health-giving 

 air. 



On page 144 is shown the chest cavity, or thorax, 

 in which the lungs are found. We notice that the 

 thorax is a cone-shaped box with the small end at the 

 top, and that the outside of this box is formed by 

 the ribs, backbone, or spinal column, and breast- 

 bpne ; or sternum. The twelve pairs of ribs are joined 



143 



