2.  It will strengthen the action of the heart and lungs.  For lack of proper breathing exercises the heart’s walls get thin, the expansive power of the lungs’ tissue gets less, and as a consequence, when any little extra strain is thrown upon either, permanent damage is often the result.

3.  In any tendency to constipation, indigestion and similar conditions, such exercises are especially beneficial, and that both by flushing the system with more oxygen and by mechanically exerting pressure on the different organs—­thus giving those latter what is actually a good massaging!

4.  Indirectly, such exercises must of necessity be splendid for “nerves,” as we thus get these supplied with a larger amount of purified blood, and of course this must result in better and heightened nerve and brain action.

And all this—­and much more which we have not space enough to deal with—­being so, it might now be well asked, who and what class of individuals would benefit by these exercises.  The list is a long one, and would include practically all growing children and adolescents—­in order that adenoids, narrow chests, debility in general, malnutrition and a host of other abnormal states might be either cured or prevented.  Innumerable adults would also benefit by such exercises:  those who are in health, in order to keep so; those who are depressed mentally, or who are suffering from constipation, dyspepsia, anaemia, obesity, debility, etc.

Even those who are “getting on” in years could, with care and caution, go through such exercises to advantage, providing, that is, that their heart, lungs and blood vessels are fairly normal; it is only where there is serious organic disease such exercises must be withheld.

Thus we have a big field for such a system which Mrs Lazarus has described so fully in this little work of hers; it deserves wide recognition, and my final word to the reader is not only to keep the book as a “boon companion,” but to encourage others to purchase it and to carry out its most excellent teachings.

 J. STENSON HOOKER, M.D.

 LETTERS OF A LAYMAN.

 1.—­DOCTORS AND HEALTH.

Medicine is a progressive science—­and art, if we judge by the statistics given of the fall in the rate of mortality.  Even this, however, must be carefully analysed, because a good deal of the fall of mortality is due to the great reduction in the birthrate which has taken place in the last twenty years.  Still, after this has been allowed for, there is probably a balance in the doctors’ favour—­something to the good of the science and art of medicine.  Doubtless the science is improved and the practical advice offered by medical men is better and more effectual than it used to be.

A layman, nevertheless, may be forgiven