"'Mom the day that God "breathed into his 'nostrils the breath of life ; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7), air has been the first essential of life. To supply this need, God surrounded the earth with atmosphere which contains certain elements, the most vital of which is oxygen. Then, to enable man to utilize this gift, the Creator equipped him with organs for breathing, and will power.
Few people enjoy a proper appreciation of fresh air or profit from a knowledge of the definite relation which exists between physical health and atmospheric conditions. Someone has ventured that perhaps "if the air were flavored or colored, or cost so much a barrel, we would appreciate it more, and use it more freely ; but because it costs nothing, it is often neglected."---L. D. Campbell, M. D., Decalogue of Health, p. 8. Our indoor existence, fashion of dress, closed cars and other modern conveniences, and habits of living discourage a proper use of fresh air. The result in terms of upper respiratory infection and lung disease is at the expense of health, efficiency, and wellbeing.
Breathing is regulated by balanced chemical reactions and delicate nervous mechanisms and, for the most part, is carried on subconsciously. Although nature takes care of this for us to a large extent, we do have voluntary control over respiration, however, and we may vary the rate and depth of breathing as we choose. During quiet breathing we use only one tenth of the lung volume, and we all would do well to engage in a period of conscious deep breathing several times a day. This beneficial health habit will develop the unused parts of the lungs, purify the blood and aid the circulation, give color to the complexion, and invigorate the whole system.
Broad-chested individuals are known to have greater resistance to disease.
One doctor prescribes as follows, "All should spend at least one hour a day in God's great out-of-doors, drinking in drafts of nature's elixir."—Decalogue of Health, p. 9. Breathing fresh air is of greatest value to us when it is combined with exercise ; hence, the best forms of deep-breathing exercises are brisk walking, swimming, outdoor games, and physical work.
"Where this is not possible, form the habit of standing before an open door or window, or of stepping outdoors several times a day, and taking a dozen deep breaths. Forced rapid breathing is valueless. Breathing exercises should be taken slowly (three or four a minute), deeply and rhythmically. A good method is to close one side of the nose while inhaling slowly and regularly through the other ; then reverse the process on exhaling. It is also a good plan to take deep breaths when walking outdoors, inhaling while taking six steps and exhaling on six steps."--Id., p. 12.
Many people go through life without ever knowing how properly to use their respiratory equipment. Learn to breathe deeply, using the diaphragm and abdominal muscles. Fill the lower part of the lungs as well as the upper part.
When we speak of fresh air we usually think of outdoor air. It is true that not all of us can enjoy outdoor environment while doing our work every day, but we can and should give conscious effort to bringing outdoor air indoors.
The three most important fundamentals of correct ventilation are temperature, moisture, and movement. The air in working rooms, schools, and living quarters should be cool, moist, and in constant motion.
Hygienists tell us that the most common error in ventilation is the slight, but injurious, overheating of rooms. We all know that the ideal room temperature is 68° F., but how little of the time the thermometer stands at that level! Perhaps fuel rationing will force us to become accustomed to more healthful surroundings. Statistics show that we can do more work at 68°, and such environment is also conducive to resisting disease. Much of winter illness is due to overheating. In October, when the heat is turned on in our homes, colds begin!
Another essential of good ventilation is air movement. Outdoor air is always in motion, and those accustomed to cool, moving air are less susceptible to colds and have better health than those who fear every slight breeze. We should have an opening to the outside air at two different levels. If there is only one window it may be opened at both top and bottom, but if there are two, it is preferable to open one at the top and the other at the bottom.
Outdoor air usually contains sufficient moisture, but when indoor air is heated it may become very dry unless measures are taken to maintain proper humidity. This has given rise to the statement that the average home is drier than a desert. In some climates this is not the proplem that it is in others, but humidifying devices, potted 'plants, a pan of water on the stove or radiator, and open windows, all help to supply an adequate amount of moisture.
It is possible that we may sometimes find ourselves handicapped by poor ventilation during the day, but we can all ensure ourselves an abundant supply of fresh air at night. Breathing pure air at least eight hours out of the twenty-four will partially compensate for the evils of indoor working and living. Contrary to a once popular notion, night air is not bad air unless it is last night's air.
Proper breathing of fresh air is a definite health necessity. Statistics show that during the last war, troops in the trenches suffered less from respiratory infections, in spite of exposure and cold, than when living under ordinary conditions. Gypsies show a low incidence to lung disease as long as they live their outdo& lives, but as soon as they confine themselves to modern ipdoor living their susceptibility increases.
From our experience as nurses we find that invalids who can be taken out of doors daily make a quicker recovery than those who are kept inside. Improvement of the physical and mental development of children who attend open-air schools further demonstrates the value of fresh air.
We should become outdoor-minded, and live and work as much as possible in the open air. In Counsels on Health we are reminded that "we are more dependent upon the air we breathe than upon the food we eat."—Page 173. Let us remember, "If we would fill our lungs to capacity every day, instead of our stomachs, we would be in better health."
OTHER REFERENCES
Etheredge, M. L., Health Facts for College Students. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1936, 2d ed.
Life and Health Library, No. t, Review and Herald, Takoma Park, D. C.
White, E. G., Ministry of Healing, Pacific Press, x9o9 ; Principles of True Science, Washington College Press, Takoma Park, D. C., 1929.
Williams, J. F., Personal Hygiene Applied, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1937, 6th ed., revised.
