Breathing by Machinery.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 September 1914, Page 2

Breathing by Machinery.

II you cannot go tq the mountain, a new device makes it possible for you to bring the mountain air effects to your home (says "Popular Science Siftings"). For be it remembered that it is not the quality of air at 3000 ft., say, that benefits people with lung troubles, but the qua.nti.ty, the rareness of the atmosphere requiring strenuous effort on the part of the lungs to keep the system supplied, and the exercise involved strengthening them just as boxing makes for big biceps. The device in question consists essentially of two parts—a closed reservoir through which the individual breathes, inhaling against the weight of four to six inches of water ; and

a vacuum, or suction ' equivalent to 20 to 25 inches of mercury, ' into which the individual exhales. A suction mask for fitting over the nose and mouth connects by rubber tubes with the vacuum and the water. Until one has attempted to derive his air supply from this apparatus, he is unable to appreciate how simple an affair is the natural manner of air-getting. In the first place, it is extremely easy to fill the lungs with air when no obstacle intervenes, but when one must pull equal to 20 to 25 inches of mercury, -which ensures rapid and complete emptying of the lungs. For people with small lung capacity, equally/ with cases having weak lungs, the device is said to be invaluable, for in continued use in doses of 15 to 20 minutes twice a day it increases in a remarkable degree the capacity of these organs. It is also of great value for persons whose work keeps them bent over a desk all day, serving to correct the evil effects upon the lungs of

sedentary labour