Health, or, How to Live

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

RESPIRATION essentially consists in the interchanging of certain elementary principles contained in the blood, for those contained in atmospheric air. The lungs, and the skin, form the medium through which this interchange is made. HHTL 200.2

THE LUNGS consist of an infinite number of small cells. Connected with these are small tubes, branching out from the bronchial tubes, and these tubes branching from the trachea, or windpipe. At every inspiration of air, these cells become filled. At every expiration of air, these cells are nearly emptied. When air is received into the lungs, the blood sent from the right ventricle of the heart meets it. Here the carbon of the blood is thrown of in the form of carbonic-acid gas; while the oxygen of the air taken into the lungs, is taken into the circulation of the blood, and carried to every part of the body. Together with receiving oxygen, electricity is also received and distributed throughout the body. HHTL 200.3

The amount of nourishment derived from food, bears a close relation to the amount of oxygen received into the circulation. The oxygen is also essential in giving heat to the body. The carbon of the blood becomes united with the oxygen, the oxygen consuming the carbon and forming carbonic-acid gas; therefore the amount of natural heat depends on the amount of oxygen received into the lungs, and the amount of carbon of our food; by which, uniting with the oxygen of the air, animal heat is at once generated. The amount of air breathed, also, has to do with physical strength. The eagle is an animal of great physical power; it inhales a very large amount of air. The oxygen, essential to nutrition, and the electricity, essential to nervous force, are taken into its lungs in very large proportions. HHTL 201.1

The blood from the veins, conveyed to the lungs, is of dark color, on account of the carbon it contains. Here an excess of carbon is given off in the form of carbonic-acid gas, and a corresponding amount of oxygen from the air is taken in. This process of exchanging carbon for oxygen, changes the color of the blood; it gives to it a bright crimson complexion, which it retains till its oxygen is dispersed to the remotest parts of the body; then the blood is taken again, comparatively deoxydized, into the veins to be returned to the heart and lungs. The blood and air in the lungs meet and exchange their gases through the medium of a thin, delicate membrane, which prevents the blood from entering into the air-cells. When the membrane is ruptured, there is bleeding at the lungs. HHTL 201.2

It can easily be conceived, from these facts, how important to the welfare of the whole system is the breathing of good air. If the atmosphere which we breathe is impregnated with hurtful gases, their influence is carried through the blood to every part of the body. If we are shut up in a close room, especially for the night, where the occasional opening of the door cannot be depended on for relief, we use up all the vital properties of the air in the room, consume all the oxygen, and give off carbonic-acid gas; so that it becomes very offensive to one just entering the room, and very unhealthy to breathe over and over by the individual occupying it. We cannot be too careful to have a free circulation of air in our sleeping apartment. Every school-room should have a ventilation at the top of the room, where the bad air which rises can pass off, and give room for a fresh supply. HHTL 201.3

If we are compelled to breathe air that is hurtful, it weakens the lungs, exposes them to disease engendered in their own cavities, or to disease carried to them from abroad. Many cases of bleeding at the lungs and of consumption have been induced by protracted causes of this kind. Whenever we find a sleeping-room whose effluvia is unpleasant, we may know that its occupant is subjecting not only his lungs, but his whole system, to influences that are destructive to health, and ultimately to life itself. No air is fit to be breathed that has parted with its due proportion of oxygen, or is unduly charged with carbonic acid gas. Unless the air to be breathed retains its natural equilibrium of elements, it is unfit for the healthy purposes of respiration. HHTL 202.1

Consumption of the lungs has several different causes. One consists of those things which directly prostrate the vital forces: such as bad air, already described, and air vitiated by poisonous vapors, which directly enervate the texture of the lungs. Tobacco-smoke is one of those poisonous vapors, which not only weaken and irritate the air-cells of the lungs, but, meeting the blood as it comes up to receive its oxygen, sends its narcotic essence throughout the whole course of the blood-vessels. Anything, indeed, whether received into the system through the lungs, or in any other way, which weakens the powers of life, predisposes to consumption, as well as other forms of disease. A large proportion of consumptions arise from severe and protracted cases of dyspepsia. Sometimes foreign substances, dust and other hurtful matters, obtain access to the lungs, and irritate and inflame them. Vast damage has also, in past times, been done by pressing the lungs out of their place, and oppressing their expansion by lacing; on which subject it is not now necessary to enlarge. HHTL 202.2

THE SKIN is also an organ of respiration. As the arterial blood flows out through the arteries into the capillary vessels, which unite the arteries and veins it then gives off a portion of its elements to the atmosphere. It gives off a portion of carbon in carbonic-acid gas, and receives a portion of oxygen from the surrounding air. It also transmits electrical influences which communicate between the body and the atmosphere. The healthful condition and action of the skin is greatly essential to health. Bad air will have its influence. Miasmatic influences take advantage of the fact that the skin holds, in a great degree, the destiny of the body. If the action of the skin be retarded by having its pores and capillaries obstructed, there will at once be disturbance throughout the whole system. HHTL 203.1

There is great sympathy between the skin and the internal organs. When the functions of the skin are deranged, there is disturbance in the action of the kidneys, which secrete from arterial blood, elements which are not further needed. It also influences the liver, whose office is, the secreting and carrying off of matter collected from the blood circulating in the veins. The lungs, too, hold a close sympathy with the action of the skin. The whole system feels, when the skin suffers. Hence the importance to be attached to keeping the pores unclogged, by suitable washing, and unembarrassed by wrong sleeping arrangements. There should be needful bathing, but not excessive; the pores kept open, but not stimulated beyond their due action; and entire abstinence from the false and hurtful luxury of feather beds. — Philosophy of Health. HHTL 203.2

If pure air be not breathed and cleanliness attended to, we shall have disastrous results. — Health Journal. HHTL 203.3