Page:How to Get Strong (1899).pdf/185

 would also tell in the right way. So would everything that would tend to prevent fret and worry; or which would cultivate the ability to bear them philosophically. But most thin people do not keep still enough; do not take matters leisurely; do not breathe deeply; and do not rest enough; while, if their work is muscular, they do too much daily in proportion to their strength.

They are very likely also to be inerect; with flat, thin chests, and contracted stomach and abdomen. Now the habit of constantly keeping erect, whether sitting, standing, or walking; combined with this same deep, abdominal breathing, soon tends to expand not only the lower ribs, and lower part of the lungs; but the waist as well; so giving the digestive organs more room and freer play. Like the lungs, or any other organ, they do their work best when in no way constrained. Better yet, if the person will also habituate himself; no matter what he is at, whether in motion or sitting still; to not only breathing the lower half of the lungs full; but the whole lungs as well; and at each inspiration hold the air in his chest as long as he comfortably can; he will speedily find a quickened and more vigorous circulation; which will be shown, for instance, by the veins in his hands becoming larger; and the hands themselves growing warmer if the air be cold; he will also feel a mild and agreeable exhilaration, such as he has seldom before experienced. Some of these are little things; and for that reason they are the easier to do; but in this business, as in many others, little things often turn the scale. Of two brothers, equally thin, equally over-active, as much alike as possible—if one early formed these simple habits of slow and thorough mastication, deep and full breathing; resting a while after meals; carrying his body uniformly erect; and