mechanical recoil from occurring suddenly-by converting, that is, a sudden into a long-drawn-out recoil. The air during such an expiration is driven with sufficient force through the glottis to produce a sound there, while during loud phonation it is necessary to urge the air through the glottis with greater force, by actively calling the expiratory muscles into play.

I have said that inspiration is effected both by the elevation of the ribs and the descent of the diaphragm. It now remains to say that one or other of these movements may be made to preponderate, so that the act shall be performed either chiefly by elevation of the ribs, when it is termed thoracic, or chiefly by descent of the midriff, when it is spoken of as abdominal. In women the breathing is chiefly thoracic, in men, abdominal, while in infants it is almost wholly of the latter type, owing to the chest being round and its girth, therefore, not capable of increase.

A third kind of breathing has been described, namely, collar-bone breathing; but this is only an exaggerated form of thoracic breathing, for each collar-bone being attached to the first rib and to the breast bone, when it is raised the ribs must follow. Some singers adopt this mode of breathing; and one eminent tenor actually broke one of his collar-bones in the effort to deliver a high note fortissimo.

Much controversy has been provoked as to which is the best method of breathing for the public speaker or singer. I have no hesitation in recommending all those who have to speak a great deal to assiduously cultivate the abdominal method, which appears to me to possess distinct advantages over the others. In the first place,

more breath can be taken in by this than by the thoracic method, as may be proved by the spirometer, an instrument for measuring the pulmonary capacity. Further, midriff breathing entails less effort than the other, which requires the elevation of the ribs, and in that exaggerated form of it termed collar-bone breathing, of the shoulders and arms also. Then, again, in midriff breathing the important structures passing through the upper opening of the thorax escape being pressed upon, and thus the liability to congestion of the larynx"clergyman's sore throat"-is diminished, while thoracic, and especially collar-bone breathing, leads to compression of these structures and renders the individual liable to this affection. Whenever I meet with a case of it, I am most careful to put the patient through a course of pulmonary gymnastics. Finally, midriff breathing allows of greater control over expiration than the other variety-an important fact, seeing with what nicety this act must be controlled in proper voice-production. A few words here on the pernicious habit of tight-lacing. It will at once be seen that any undue compression of the waist will not only interfere with the proper expansion of the lower part of the chest, but will seriously hamper, and, it may be, absolutely check the descent of the midriff. The effect on voiceproduction is not so marked on the woman as it would be in the case of the man, seeing that the former uses the midriff far less in breathing than the latter; but it is sufficiently serious. Nothing more eloquently shows the evil of tight-lacing (Fig. 17) than its effect on the breathing capacity, which may thereby be diminished by one-third.

The breathing capacity is greatest in the erect, less in the sitting, posture, and least in the recumbent position. In sitting, the action of the diaphragm is interfered with, while the horizontal position interferes with the proper movement of the ribs.

I am not, however, contending that the breathing

Fig. 17.

THORAX (AFTER TIGHT-LACING).

Showing the distorted curves of the thorax, and the increasing capacity from below upwards.

should be wholly diaphragmatic-this, indeed, would be an impossibility-but that the midriff should be brought into play as much as possible. In cultivating the method of breathing, let the individual divest himself of all superfluous clothing and lie flat on the back. It will now be observed that with every breath the abdomen protrudes, and the individual must endeavour to

favour this protrusion as much as possible, and in this he will be greatly helped by concentrating his attention upon this part of his body. Now, let the same kind of breathing be attempted in the erect position, and by dint of perseverance complete control over the midriff may be acquired. All who use their voice much should obtain complete control over their respiratory muscles, and should endeavour to increase the breathing capacity -to develop their lungs to the furthest possible limit. The good which results from the proper exercise of the lungs is incalculable, and is not sufficiently recognised. By it the girth of the chest may be considerably increased, and the importance of this to such as have a consumptive tendency needs no insistence. Other organs besides the lungs share in the benefit, for with every inspiration the blood is sucked into the heart from the large veins of the body while its flow through the lungs is accelerated, and in this way the entire circulation is hurried on. The respiratory movements are, in fact, an important factor in the circulation, a point that should be taken advantage of in the treatment of heart-disease. It has happened in several cases that a clergyman afflicted with this complaint so seriously as to be scarcely able to mount the pulpit, has actually so far benefited by the delivery of the sermon as to feel comparatively well at the end; this happy result being, in my belief, due to the ample respiratory movements necessitated by the effort to make the voice heard over a large building.

In a work of this kind it would be impossible to explain all the beneficial effects resulting from the proper use of the lungs. I may, however, briefly allude

to the influence of inspiration upon the organs situated below the diaphragm; the abdominal viscera are compressed, and this influences their functions in a very decided manner. On no organ is this influence more pronounced than on the liver, which is not only compressed but driven down with each inspiration.

For these reasons, I regard speaking-whether it take the form of preaching, public speaking, recitation, or reading aloud, is a matter of indifference-as a most healthful exercise, provided always it involves free movement of the chest. I have often observed marked improvement in health result from the proper use of the vocal organs.