The subject of Dr. Sargent's lecture yesterday was "How to Develop the Chest." He began by giving statistics of the death proportion from consumption and tubercular diseases, arising from an imperfect development of the lungs and heart. Such affections are often inherited, or result from occupations and circumstances which tend to produce them. Consumption is, however, easy to prevent by a course of physical exercise. In Harvard, only one man out of three has a perfect chest, the principal imperfections being a flatness on the upper part and depression at the base of the breast bone, compression of the sides being prevalent. He explained the physiology of the respiratory organs and their action under exercise. The action of rowing was then explained in connection with the physiological structure of the lungs and heart. The exercise of filling and inflating the chest to the utmost, at the same time starting the cartilages by throwing back the arms shoulder high, was recommended. The lecture was illustrated by a living model and by colored drawings. After the close an opportunity was given for questions, of which a number of men availed themselves. The subject for the next lecture is "Diet and Food."
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