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MY BREATHING SYSTEM

against the invasion and throw ol'f thc gernis, which arc ejected with the phlegm in the act of expectoration. This sort of coughing, also, is not at all due to any ailment or cold, but is actually a proof of thc sound condition of the organs. On the other hand, unhealthy persons who are without reactivc power will retain and storę up, day after day, year after year, all this poisonous matter within their system, which hecomes conseąuently steadily weakcned. It is a good habit to cleanse the mucous membranę and the throat each moming or night with a solution of common salt in warm water. Whcn the throat is gargled with this in the usual maimer, much phlegm and black substances from the inhaled town air will be dissolved and brought up. The nose is easily cleansed by means of some of the salt water held in the hollow of the hand, then snuffed up into the nose, and finally expelled through the mouth.

If persons who have decaycd teeth inhale through the mouth they will never get fresh air into their lungs, even wbcn visiting the seaside. The inhaled air will be con-stantly infected by the putrid sccretions of the mouth. And when they exhale through the mouth, they will poison the air for their fellow-beings.

Another advantagc of nasal breathing is that we become immediately warned, through the sense of smell of the presence in a room of poisonous gases, or of air which con-tains dangerous impurities, whilst those who breathe through the mouth as a rule have the nostrils obstructed and have impaired, or totally lost, their sense of smell. Thesc people are ąuickly suffocatcd in the case of an escape of gas, or slowly poisoned if working at dangerous occupa-tions, as in the case of compositors, painters, plumbers, pottery workers, etc., who are particularly liable to lead-poisoning.

Especially in cold weather is it of great importance that

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