A man respires 16 to 20 times a minute, or 20,000 times a day; a child, 25 to 35 times a minute.
While standing, the adult respiration is 22; while lying, 13.
The superficial surface of the lungs, i. e., of their alveolar spaces, is 200 square yards. The amount of air inspired in 24 hours is about 2,500 gallons.
Two-thirds of the oxygen absorbed in 24 hours is absorbed during the night hours, from 6 p. m. to 6 a. m.
Three-fifths of the total carbonic acid is thrown off in the day-time.
The pulmonary surface gives off about 5 fluidounces of water daily in the state of vapor.
The heart sends through the lungs 192 gallons of blood hourly, or 4,608 gallons daily. The duration of inspiration is five-twelfths, of expiration seven-twelfths, of the whole respiratory act; but during sleep, inspiration occupies ten-twelfths of the respiratory period.
There are two good rules to follow given by William Blaikie:—
"1. To hold the body erect, whether standing, sitting, or walking, and breathe deeply. This habit gives the lungs and digestive organs free play. More oxygen is taken into the blood, and the food is more readily digested and assimilated. 2. To fill the lungs full at frequent intervals, holding the air in the chest as long as is comfortable. This practice will soon improve a disturbed circulation."
Bright's Disease.—Bright's disease is a disorder of the kidneys which causes those organs to secrete albumen in the urine, while they fail to extract from the blood the urea, or effete matter, which they should take up from that fluid. Urea in the blood operates as a poison, and when accumulated in large quantities, produces drowsiness, convulsions, and apoplexy. Intemperance is a fruitful source of Bright's disease, because excessive drinking tends peculiarly to the degeneration of the kidneys. The best remedy we know, or have ever seen tested, is Bethesda water, from Waukesha Springs, Wis. It should be natural, without gas; a quart per day will not be too much for an adult.