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THE PHYSIOLOGY OF YOGAM
interchange of gases between the blood and the air." . (Carpenter). We thus see that it is generally accepted by physiologists (that the skin may, to some extent, perform the functions of the lungs.
In some of the lower vertebrata, especially naked Amphibia, cutaneous respiration plays a much more important part. "A frog, the lungs of which have been removed, will continue to live for some time; and during that period will continue not only to produce carbonic acid, but also to consume oxygen. In other words, the frog is able to breathe without lungs, respiration being carried on efficiently by means of the skin."-(Foster : Text-Book of Physiology, 1877, p. 271.)
Thus we have got an organ in the skin, which, in certain lower animals, plays an important part in respiration--by which term the absorption of oxygen and the excretion of carbonic acid is meant-and which in man has some capacity to perform that function, naturally very small, but capable of considerable increase, when, as in cases of disease of the lungs, the needs of the body excite it to perform these functions. This is a matter of vital importance to the Yogi; but, when carried to the highest pitch of which it is capable, the function of the human skin in respiration is still very limited, so that he must minimise his consumption of oxygen and excretion of carbonic acid. That the amount of carbonic acid excreted varies very greatly, there can be no doubt; we all know that when we run or perform any exertion we
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