Indian Showing Effect of Deep Breathing in
Wonderful Lung Development
George Wharton James
[E77 J3]

George Wharton James
WHAT THE WHITE RACE MAY LEARN FROM THE INDIAN. Chicago: Forbes & Company, 1908.

Early twentieth century efforts to study and analyze the physical, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural practices of North American Indians produced a wide range of scholarly and popular works. Portrayals of Indians, both in photographs and textual descriptions, are often replete with stereotypical characterizations of aborigine populations.

In George Wharton James' chapter on "The Indian and Nasal and Deep Breathing," he observes that "not only do the Indians breathe through the nose: they are also experts in the art of deep breathing." James urges his readers to emulate the Indian and "Breathe through your nose; do not use it as an organ of speech." He also cautioned readers to imitate Indians he had observed in order to train their children how to breathe properly at an early age, "Bandage them up while they are asleep, as the Indians do," James advised, "compel them to form this useful and healthful habit of nasal breathing."