PURE AIR, CLOTHING, ETC.
There can be no good health without pure air. Always have it if
possible. Before you lie down to sleep at night, make sure your windows
are lowered at the top and slightly raised at the bottom, so that the
room is well ventilated. If the bed has enough covering, you will sleep
much better if the air is fresh and cool.
[Illustration:
(a) _Trachea_, (b _and_ e) _Bronchial Tubes_, (d) _Right Lung_, (c)
_Lobes of Lung_.]
It is a good practice to spend a few minutes early in the morning, in
drawing into the lungs all the air they can possibly hold. Then breathe
out slowly, by keeping the lips almost closed. While doing so, rapidly
thump the chest and ribs with the flat sides of your fists. This will
expand your lungs and prevent the congestion or settling of blood among
many of the organs, besides strengthening and toning up the system.
PROPER USE OF CLOTHING.
Your parents furnish you with warm, comfortable clothing, but much
depends on you whether it shall help preserve your health. Children
often catch cold and more serious diseases by carelessness about their
dress. Be careful that all your garments sit well and are not loose
enough to annoy you, nor tight enough to cause discomfort.
Boys should lay off their overcoats and overshoes, girls their wraps and
overshoes when they enter a warm room. Always put them on before going
out in the cold or wet. Neglect in following this rule has often caused
pneumonia and death.
DAMP CLOTHING.
If the clothing, shoes or stockings become wet, they should be changed
at the earliest moment. If there is no chance to make such change, keep
in motion until the garments can be replaced by others. If the moisture
has reached the skin, it should be rubbed with a rough towel until dry
and warm.
DANGERS TO HEALTH.
Before summer sets in, children are often tempted to sit or lie on the
damp earth. This is hurtful and never should be done, even in warm
weather.
When heated from exercise, boys love to throw aside their outer
clothing, so as to “cool off.” This is dangerous; better to feel
uncomfortable for a little while until your body resumes its natural
temperature.
COLD OR DRAFT.
Never sit in a cold room or a draft. It is sure to injure you and may
cause death. If you feel chilly, warm yourself by vigorous exercise.
Always obey the promptings of nature. Failure to do so poisons the
blood, causes serious disease, and frequently destroys life itself.
* * * * *
Show the necessity of pure air. What precaution should be taken
before lying down to sleep? What of drafts? What are necessary to
sleep well?
What is a good practice for each morning? What will this do?
What depends upon you? What results from carelessness in these
respects? Of what ought you to be careful?
What use should be made of overcoats, wraps, and overshoes? What has
resulted from neglect to follow this rule?
What is the proper course, when the clothing, shoes or stockings
become wet?
What are children often tempted to do in the spring of the year? Is
it a safe thing to do at any time?
What is said about “cooling off?”
What about sitting in a cold room or draft?
What other advice is given?