Lungs and Respiration
143
Improper Breathing
717. Stomach, liver, lungs, and brain are suffering for want of deep,
full inspirations of air, which would electrify the blood and impart to it
a bright, lively color, and which alone can keep it pure, and give tone
and vigor to every part of the living machinery.—
Testimonies for the
Church 2:67
.
Improper Use of the Voice
718. Speaking from the throat, letting the words come out from the
upper extremity of the vocal organs, all the time fretting and irritating
them, is not the best way to preserve health or to increase the efficiency
of these organs.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:616
.
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719. Careful attention and training should be given to the vocal
organs. They are strengthened by right use, but become enfeebled
if improperly used. Their excessive use will, if often repeated, not
only injure the organs of speech, but will bring an undue strain upon
the whole nervous system. The delicate harp of a thousand strings
becomes worn, gets out of repair, and produces discord instead of
melody.... It is not necessary to talk in a loud voice or in a high key;
this does great injury to the speaker.... The human voice is a precious
gift of God; it is a power for good, and the Lord wants his servants to
preserve its pathos and melody. The voice should be cultivated so as to
promote its musical quality, that it may fall pleasantly upon the ear and
impress the heart. But the vocal organs are strangely abused, greatly to
the injury of the speaker and the discomfort of the hearers.—
Special
Testimonies for Ministers and Workers 7:9
.
720. They injure the throat and vocal organs ... when it is not called
for.... This is in consequence of the unnatural position of the body, and
the manner of holding the head.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:617
.
721. Your dislike for physical taxation, while talking and exercis-
ing your throat, makes you liable to disease of the throat and lungs....
You should not let the labor come upon the upper part of the vocal
organs, for this will constantly wear and irritate them, and will lay the
foundation for disease. The action should come upon the abdominal
muscles; the lungs and throat should be the channel, but should not do
all the work.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:311
.
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