Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1904 — Curios About Respiration. [ARTICLE]

Curios About Respiration.

In each respiration an adult of the human species inhales one pint of air. A healthy man will respire 16 to 20 times per minute, or say, 20,000 times a day; a child, 25 to 35 times per minute. While standing, the adult average respiration Is 22 times per minute; lying down, 13 times. The superficial area of the lungs—that is, of their alveolar space—averages 200 square yards. The amount of air respired each day is about 10,000 quarts. The amount of oxygen absorbed in the same length of time Is 500 liters or about 744 grams. The amount of carbonic acid expired in 24 hours Is estimated at 511.5 grams. Two-thirds of the oxygen absorbed in 24 hours Is taken in during the 12 hours from 6 p. m. to 6 a. m., three-fifths of the total being thrown off during the day. While this Is going on the pulmonary surface is throwing off 150 grams of water in the shape of vapor. The heart sends 800 quarts of blood through the lungs every hour, or about 5,000 quarts daily. The duration of inspiration is fivetwelfths, of expiration seven-twelfths, of the whole respiratory act.