Earache.—The best thing for the relief of earache is the external application of heat by means of a hot-water bag. If this does not give relief, the ear may be douched with warm water. Earache can often be prevented, by those subject to it, by placing a very small piece of absorbent cotton in the ear before going out in very high winds or in automobiling.
Impediments to Normal Respiration.—These are, for the most part, acquired through improper habits of posture, dress, lack of muscular and chest development. Other impediments to respiration are a deviation of the septum of the nose to one side, marked curvature of the spine, and deformities of the chest which may be the results of rickets.
Curvature of the spine is frequently the result of muscular weakness, combined with faulty position at the desk.
The clothing must be sufficiently loose to admit of the fullest possible chest expansion; the measurements for the clothing, and most especially for corsets, must be taken during full chest expansion.
Heavy clothing suspended from the shoulders is also hurtful, because it renders impossible the expansion of the apices of the lungs. Obviously, all tight bands around the neck interfere with the respiratory movements.
Bodily position plays a very important part in maintaining the symmetric development of the chest and in the proper ventilation of the lungs; and this is a matter of the greatest importance to students, clerks, and writers who spend a great part of every day at the desk.
The faulty attitude, together with the weak muscles and the poor muscular development, are fruitful sources of spinal curvatures and flat chests; and free respiration is interfered with. Writing with a pen is most apt to be accompanied by a peculiarly cramped position of the body, rendering normal respiration impossible.
The Correct Attitude at the Desk.—The chair should be of such a height that the woman may rest her feet firmly and easily on the floor or upon a foot-rest, the seat being deep enough from before backward to accommodate about three-fourths of the length of the thighs, while the back of the chair should be so curved as to support the spine easily in its natural curves, both at the waist and at the level of the shoulder-blades.
The chair and desk should be sufficiently close together so that the student may sit erect to read from books, since leaning forward at the desk causes round shoulders, flat chest, and short-sightedness. When the desk and chair are properly arranged, two-thirds of the forearm can be rested upon the desk without raising the shoulders.
In reading, the distance of the book from the eyes should be twelve inches, and the book-rest should be inclined, sloping downward toward the reader, at about an angle of 85 degrees.