All that live, down even to vegetables and trees, breathe, _must_ breathe,
in order to live; live in proportion as they breathe; begin life's first
function with breathing, and end its last in their last breath. And
breathing is the _most important_ function of life, from first to last,
because the grand stimulator and sustainer of all. Would you get and keep
warm when cold, breathe copiously, for this renews that carbonic
consumption all through the system which creates all animal warmth. Would
you cool off, and keep cool, in hot weather, deep, copious breathing will
burst open all those myriads of pores, each of which, by converting the
water in the system into insensible perspiration, casts out heat, and
refreshes mind and body. Would you labor long and hard, with intellect or
muscle, without exhaustion or injury, breathe abundantly; for breath is
the great re-invigorator of life and all its functions. Would you keep
well, breath is your great preventive of fevers, of consumption, of "all
the ills that flesh is heir to." Would you break up fevers, or colds, or
unload the system of morbid matter, or save both your constitution and
doctor's fee, cover up warm, drink soft water--cold, if you have a robust
constitution sufficient to produce a reaction; if not, hot water should be
used. Then let in the fresh air, and breathe, breathe, breathe, just as
deep and much as possible, and in a few hours you can "forestall and
prevent" the worst attack of disease you ever will have; for this will
both unload disease at every pore of skin and lungs, and infuse into the
system that _vis animæ_ which will both grapple in with and expel disease
in all its forms, and restore health, strength, and life.
Nature has no panacea like it. _Try the experiment_, and it will
revolutionize your condition. And the longer you try, the more will it
regenerate your body and your mind. Even if you have the blues, deep
breathing will soon dispel them, especially if you add vigorous exercise.
Would you even put forth your greatest mental exertions in speaking or
writing, keep your lungs clear up to their fullest, liveliest action.
Would you even breathe forth your highest, holiest orisons of thanksgiving
and worship, deepening your inspiration of fresh air will likewise deepen
and quicken your _divine_ inspiration. Nor can even bodily pleasures be
fully enjoyed except in and by copious breathing. In short, proper
breathing is the alpha and omega of all physical, and thereby of all
mental and moral function and enjoyment.