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On the right is a normal sized chest and on the left is chest as it is in one that has been girt round tightly all her life, so as to make her waist very small. The ribs are brought very near together, so that they could hold only very small lungs. Health and vigor cannot exist with such small breathing machinery and are sacrificed for the sake of a small waist.

Abnormal Chest

On the right is a normal sized chest and on the left is chest as it is in one that has been girt round…

Torso of the Statue known as Venus of Melos (left) and New York Fashion, 1898 (right). "Since abdomen and chest alternately expand and contract in healthy breathing, anything which impedes their free movement is to be avoided. The tight lacing which is still indulged [in 1900] by those who think a distorted form beautiful, seriously impedes one of the most important functions of the body, and leads not only to shortness of breath and an incapacity for muscular exertion, but in many cases to actual deformity or disease." — Newell, 1900.

Effect of Corset Use on Respiration

Torso of the Statue known as Venus of Melos (left) and New York Fashion, 1898 (right). "Since abdomen…

Torso of the Statue known as Venus of Melos (left) and New York Fashion, 1898 (right). "Since abdomen and chest alternately expand and contract in healthy breathing, anything which impedes their free movement is to be avoided. The tight lacing which is still indulged [in 1900] by those who think a distorted form beautiful, seriously impedes one of the most important functions of the body, and leads not only to shortness of breath and an incapacity for muscular exertion, but in many cases to actual deformity or disease." — Newell, 1900.

Effect of Corset Use on Respiration

Torso of the Statue known as Venus of Melos (left) and New York Fashion, 1898 (right). "Since abdomen…

The diaphragm, which is the principal muscle that act sin breathing. Here you have the cavity of the chest, <em>Cc</em>, laid open, the ribs being cut away in front, and the heart and lungs taken out; <em>DD</em> is the diaphragm. It is fastened to the spinal column behind, to the breast-bone in front, and to the lower ribs all around its side. It is not flat, but arched upward.

The Diaphragm

The diaphragm, which is the principal muscle that act sin breathing. Here you have the cavity of the…

Diaphragm of the diaphragm and it's placement in the chest. Let <em>a</em> represent the spinal column, <em>b</em> the front wall of the chest, <em>Cc</em> the cavity of the chest, and <em>Ca</em> the cavity of the abdomen. At <em>d</em> is represented the diaphragm. As you can see from the figure, as the fibers of the diaphragm are shortened the space in the chest increases which is what takes place during inspiration. On the contrary, during expiration the diaphragm is pushed upward as shown in this figure so the room in the chest is lessened and air is forced out.

The Diaphragm

Diaphragm of the diaphragm and it's placement in the chest. Let a represent the spinal column,…

Expiration. 1: Diaphragm.

Expiration

Expiration. 1: Diaphragm.

This illustration shows the gills (breathing apparatus) of a perch, as well as the specific veins and arteries running along the branchial arch.

Gills (Branchial Arch of Perch)

This illustration shows the gills (breathing apparatus) of a perch, as well as the specific veins and…

This illustration shows the thorax of a crayfish with a portion of the carapace removed to show the gills.

Gills (Crayfish)

This illustration shows the thorax of a crayfish with a portion of the carapace removed to show the…

This illustration shows a transverse section of a worm with external gills. Gills are the breathing organs of aquatic animals.

Gills (worm)

This illustration shows a transverse section of a worm with external gills. Gills are the breathing…

Inspiration. 1: Diaphragm; 2: Sternum.

Inspiration

Inspiration. 1: Diaphragm; 2: Sternum.

The larynx as seen by means of the laryngoscope in different conditions of the glottis. Labels: A, while singing a high note; b, in quiet breathing; C, during a deep inspiration; l, base of tongue; e, upper free edge of epiglottis; e', cushion of the epiglottis; ph, part of anterior wall of pharynx; cv, the true vocal cords; cvs, the false vocal cords; tr, the trachea with its rings; b, the two bronchi at their commencement.

The Larynx in Different Conditions of the Glottis

The larynx as seen by means of the laryngoscope in different conditions of the glottis. Labels: A, while…

Diagram showing the structure of the lungs. At <em>d</em> is the left lung, and at <em>c</em> are represented the main branch of the windpipe that go to the right lung, separated by the lung itself. At the lower part, at <em>e</em>, are represented the very minute branches as they go to the air-cells (alveoli). At <em>b</em> is the windpipe (trachea), and at <em>a</em> is the larynx (or Adam's apple). It is through a chink in this that air passes in and out as we breathe.

Structure of the Lungs

Diagram showing the structure of the lungs. At d is the left lung, and at c are represented…

Diagram to show the changes in the sternum, diaphragm, and abdominal wall in respiration. Labels: A, inspiration; b, expiration; Tr, trachea; St, sternum; D, diaphragm; Ab, abdominal wall. The shaded part is to indicate the stationary air

Changes during Respiration

Diagram to show the changes in the sternum, diaphragm, and abdominal wall in respiration. Labels: A,…

A shaft in a building which serves as an air passage in a building.

Ventilation Shaft

A shaft in a building which serves as an air passage in a building.

"A contrivance for measuring the extreme differential capacity of the human lungs. The instrument most commonly employed consists on an inverted chamber submerged in a water bath. The breath is conducted by a flexible pipe and internal tube so as to collect in the chamber, which rises in the water, and is fitted with an index which marks the cubic inches of air expired after a forced inspiration...a, is a small gas-holder containing an inverted vessel a'; b, index which shows on the scale c the number of cubic inches expired; d, manometer, which, when a' is held down, shows the pressure which the lungs can exert; e, plug-vent for outlet of the expired air; f, cock for outlet of water; g, tube through which the expiration is made." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

Spirometer

"A contrivance for measuring the extreme differential capacity of the human lungs. The instrument most…