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MY BREATHING SYSTEM

Why should we Breathe through the Nose ?

Naturę gave us a mouth with which to eat and to speak, and a nose with which to breathe and to sinell. We are told that “ the breath of life was breathed into man’s nos-trils ”—thcn why should he not continue to live by breathing through the same channels ? The higher animals always breathe through the nostrils. Such “ over-domcsticated ” or degenerate creatures as the pet dog and the fussy, breath-less hen are the only exceptions to the generał rule. Con-sidered as animals, many human beings also are degenerate, and use their organs in a perverted way, e.g., the mouth for breathing purposes. If we examine the intcrnal structure of the nose, we shall see at once that it was Nature's intention that inhaled air should pass through this channel. The entrance to the nostrils is furnished with hairs, and farthcr inwards, the nasal cavities are entirely lined with mucous membranę. Most of the dust, germs, and irnpure particles which en ter during the act of inhalation are retained here, and the air is thus cleansed, whilst if the air is inhaled through the mouth, morę micro-organisms pass into the lungs. Especially in cases where the tonsils have been removed by operation, the direct entrance to the bronchi and lungs is quite open. In big towns, where the air is always foul, the mucous membranę of the nose has a very hard task to per-form, and rnust, therefore, secrete a plentiful supply of mucus, which will run or drip away from the nostrils. This process is therefore by no means always a sign of cold, but only proof that the protecting organs are performing their duty tlioroiighly. In somc big centres the air is so bad and the smoke so densc that it is impossible for the mucous membranę to arrest all the dust and germs some of which will, therefore, pass through the throat and reach the bronchi; but if tliese organs are healthy, they will react