Show exercise most host reliable cure for asthmatics by DR JAMES W BARTON WHEN HEN a number of research and practicing physicians form an organization or council to find out all possible about an ailment and pass this information HEALTH U C fl T 1 U along to other practicing COLUMN and research physicians much is likely to be learned about that ailment thus in great britain there was formed some years ago what is known as the asthma research council and at each annual meeting progress for the previous year is reported although there here are various causes for and types of asthma one method of treatment has shown very satisfactory results for many years not only in the hospitals where these aith matics receive this WA special treatment but everywhere else this special treatment is exercise or exercises the asthmatic dr barton chest is barrel shaped because the lower chest and abdominal muscles remain distended the breathing being all done at the upper part of the chest the lower part of the chest the diaphragm scarcely moving at all the object of the exercises is to teach the patient to breathe with his diaphragm or abdomen three groups of exercises are described in the little book physical exercises for asthma published by the organization exercises explained although the exercises vary somewhat what the breathing is the same in all a short breathing in of air through the nose followed by a gentle but long breathing out through the mouth during this breathing out through the mouth the patient makes an F or S sound with the lips or teeth to fix his attention on blowing out as long as possible during the breathing in the upper part of the chest muscle must re remain main still the abdomen rising during this breathing in with the breathing out the abdomen contracts or draws downward very slowly it is recommended om mended that the exercises be practiced tor for at t least 10 minutes twice each day for asthmatics and all interested in asthma this little book should prove of great value it may be ob bained by sending 25 cents to asthma research council kings college strand london W C 2 england copyright service |