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    2K views112 pages

    Swami Kuvalayananda, Pranayama

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    crsz
    Swami Kuvalayananda, Pranayama

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    PRANAYAMA Swami Kuvalayananda KAIVALYADHAMA POPULAR YOGA PRANAYAMA ‘SWAMI KUVALAYANANDA, KAIVALYADHAMA, ‘Swami Kuvalayananda Marg, Lonavia (410103), INDIA. ‘Swami Kuvalyananda, 1966 Fist Published : January, 1931 Fifth Edition : January, 1972 Sixth Edition : 1977 Seventh Edition : 1983, Eighth Edition : 1999 ‘Ninth Editon : 2000, Tenth Edition : April, 2005 Bleventh Edition : April, 2010 Printed in India ISBN : 81 - 902803-6-8 All rights reserved. Price : Rs, 200/- Published by Shri O. P, Tiwari, Secroury, Xeivalyadhama, 8. M.Y. M. Samiti, ‘Swami Kuvalayanands Marg, Lensvia- 410 403, Printed at ‘Ace Enterprises, ‘Madhu-Raj Nagar, [T/A Paud Road, Pune = 410 038 PREFACE, eb wei aren gel Oued Fe | sep ame FS TATE (Reverse to Madhava, the Supreme Bis Beste ty Him the dum shall row eloquent tnd the lame shal side across a Moun) tis after fifteen yeas that we are presenting to the public our handbook of Prindyaima. No doubt, inthe meanwhile we published Prinayima Part Two, in 1958. But the Prigyima Part Two although containing six varieties of Pxlinayima that had not been ‘included in Part One and also giving very valuable articles on the subject of Prandyima, could not present the subject of Pri in its proper perspective. Thus the public remained starved of Prindymic food fora very long time. During all these years the demand for a tolerably complete handbook on this subject continued. Now we have great pleasure in presenting this very ‘comprehensive handbook on the subject of Prinfyima and we are sure it will receive the same appreciation and patronage fram the public that our publications have been receiving forthe lst four decades. Inthe present handbook we have included all the «ight varieties of Prindiyima tat are advocated by the authors of Hagha-Yoge, with a somewhat cursory reference to the four ‘varieties ofthat subject a taught by Patajli The lengthy article ‘on ‘Respiration’ and also an article on the ‘Physiological and Spiritual Values of Prindy’ma’ which form an important part of ‘the subject as they provided an essential background for cleatly| ‘understanding it, but which did not appear in Part, have been retained. Thus we have tried our best to make the present handbook w Petpayana of Prantydma as comprehensive as possible. We must, however, make it fear to our readers that though this handbook is camplete in itself, itis no substitute for our quarterly journal Yoga- Mimamst, because that journal contains vast scientific information inthe form of actual Laboratory experiments and also ‘many articles on Pranayima. This information could not be included in this handbook because ofits limited scope and also ‘because ofthe type of readers for whom it is intended, Some of ‘he articles which had appeared in Prapyma Par Two and which were borrowed fiom Yogs-Mimdinsz have also been omitted bere. These omissions, however, will not come inthe way of our readers ‘understanding the subject in its basi form. ‘The great importance ofthe practice of Pr iy brought out in the last Chapter ofthis handbook but the treatment of the subject is from the modern point of view. Hence it was thought desirable to note here something that our ancient authors have said about Prinyamic values, both physiological and spiritual Manu, one of the greatest ancient law-givers, observes that Prinyima isa specific remedy against the evil tendency of the mind and the sense organs."* Kulluka commenting on these observations explains the evil tendencies of the mind as “Love and Hatred"; and the evil tendoncies ofthe sense ongéns as the atiractions of these organs towards the extemal objects. These ‘natural tendencies ofthe mind andthe sease organs are condemned as evil because success in Youa depends upon the introverson of ‘the mind and the sense organs. similar view is expressed by the 1, em crt oh sees Fre | M.S. V7 2, meer, | MS.VI72 8. re zreaagéee fears: | Kulik Prefce ’ author of Hatha Praia saying that some Yoga expen were Ofte same opinion, thats they considered PrpiyZnic alone trou be sufficient to overcome the evi tendencies ofthe mind dd sense organs Pata the greatest exonent of Yoga Sista gives ins 60 Siitas? namely IL 52 and 53, clear expestion of he sii talues of PiniyZina, The spisital development ofa sent of ‘Yoga depends upon two things. Fit, he mst climinatthe factor that obscures the spiritual ight and secon, he must be abl © fixhis wandering mind. According Patiala student of Yorn is able to make a begining in both these diesions by practising Prinayama “Thus farwehave taken notice ofthe importance of Pray ftom the point of view ofthe ancient authors of the subject of ‘Youn. We ha to touch tis pont here a twas not discussed citer inPart Oncor Pant Twoof Pranayma previously published ‘Now we shall indicate some aditonal features about the preset handbook As ual we have very righty illustrated the subject that is ander discussion inthis handbook. Every effort is made to ‘make the handbook thoroughly insocive as well as interesting. Cautions have been pronounced a every step, making the text- book reliable and safe gue fora procical student of Prindyms. Inspite of this fact we would strongly advise everyone fist to got himself rained under an expert, if possible, and then take up this handbook for guidance. 4. sroverta a agra ext | LPNS 5. ome ee TOR, | PLY. 8.1052. seg rem | PHL. 5.1153 Prony Three important appendices have been attached to this handbook: The general hints contained therein have been based “upon our clinical experience at the Agrama. The insertion of these appendices in tis handbook, i intended to make it throughly use ( the practical student of Yous ‘The glossary very tesely gives anatomical and physiological information which has been detiled in Yogo-Mimas. I wil, however, serve asa valuable guide toa practical student of Yoga and will make im independent of ay text-book of anatomy and physiology. From what has been stid upto now in this Preface, this handbook canbe calle te the fourth impression of Prima ‘because the largest part of i is taken trom Part One although it contains some chapters bortowed from Part Tw, ‘The present handbook of Praxdyima owes ts publication to “Messrs Popular Prakashan of Bombay. They have spared no pains ‘to make it as attractive, instructive and helpful as possible. This firm of publishers has aleady put in the market our handbook of ‘A sanas. Our best thanks are duet them for having undertaken to publish our writings simply for the love of our ancient culture interpreted inthe light of modem scence and thought ‘We have no words to express adequately our gratitude to our readers. They have taken very sympathetically to whatever we have writen on the science and practice of Yoga inspite of many shortcomings for which these writings suffer. We cannot close thi shor Prefce without mentioning a word shout our servic to Yous. Our persona share inthis service is ‘ety small. The overwhelmingly largest share belongs to our ‘Réramite Brothers. They are highly qualified university men most Aisinterestedly devoted tothe cause of Yoga. Even those brothers ‘who have no university qualification are men of sublime culture Preice vi and have given decades of their precious life tothe cause of Yous May God bless them all! May the cause of Yoga prosper and may it bring peace to the wwarweary world ! KUVALAYANANDA, Kaivalyadhama, Lonavala, (C.Rly.) 15th March, 1966 PREFACE Kaivalyadhama is happy to present the 11th edition of PRANAYAMA tothe readers and ioversof Yoga, As you know Swami Kuvaayananda was the fist person ona and promate the scenic investigation ito the tadional aspect of Yoga Based on scientific Findings he had critically edited widely ‘claimed books of Asana and PrfgSyia, The work weiniiated wil always be remembered inthe World of Yoga. He was nota person secking fame ashe alays sd sare art aire fae | areca rest fire Fre | (oars Dare 33) Meaning that an honour © Yogt is poison while disrespect helps hm to grow and act sn ambrosia, The book Pranayama isi egarded asthe best, though elf us inthe year 1966, We ould not improve upon his work. Ness to say it contains most systematic, scientific nd technique explained is simple and terse manner. am sure readers will continue o practice and tke savantage of his valuable contribution a he said - “Yoga has a complete message fr humanity thas a message forthe human body. Ithas a message forthe hua ind. And it has also a message forth human spr. Will rch mea with hee ‘money and young intelgent and belthy men with ther selfess service, come forth to help the Kaivalyadhama to take this ressage, tothe fashest comer of the World Li +0. Tiwari CONTENTS Chapter Preface Respiration 1, sanas Appropriate to Priya IML Pranayama in General 1. Upiyi V. Rapilabhati Vi. Bhastrik VIL. Stryabhedana VIN. Sinkaei 1% Sitti X Bhrimaci XI. Marechi XIL.Plivind XIIL Physiological and Spiritual Values of Prindiyaima Appendix - 1 Appendix It Appendix =I Grossary Page 130 31-46 an 72.82 85-105 106-120 1ai-i24 128.127 128-129 130-133 134-136 Bris 40-152 133-161 162-163 164 165-182 FIG, FIG. AIG. FIG, FIG, FIG, FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG, FIG. FIG. FIG, FIG. FIG, FIG. FIG, FIG, FIG, FIG. FIG, FIG, FIG, LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 1. Median Section through the Head Indicating the Respiratory Tract ete 2. ace with the Mobile Nose Cut offand the Nasal Bones and Cavities, with the Upper jaw-Bones Exposed. 3. The pharynx Exposed, 4. The Vocal Cords 5. The Trachea and the Bronchial Tubes, 6. ‘The Thorax Exposed, 7. The Ribs 8. Nisigra Dysi or The Nasal Gaze, 9, BhrUmadhya-Drsti or the Frontal Gaze, 10. Uddiyana in Siting 11. Udaliyana in Sitting (Side View). 12. Uddiyana in Standing, 13. The Carotids Exposed, 14, Jalandhara-Bandhe or the Chin-Lock. (Front View). 15. Silandhara-Bandha or the Chin- Lock (Side View). 16, Preparation for Padmisana, 17 Padmésana or the Lotus Pose. 18. Proparation for Siddisana. 19, Sidd2sana or the Accomplished Pose, 20, Preparation for Svasiksana 21, Svastklsana or the Auspcious Pose 22, Preparation for Semana. 23, Samisana or the Symmetrical Pose, FIG. FIG, FIG FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG, FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. AIG. Fa AG. FIG, FIG. FG. FIG. FIG 24, Comect Standing Position for Ua 25, Silina-Mud or the Symbol of Knowledge. 26, Preparation for Closing the Nos 27. Usly Contortions of the Face. 28. The right Nostil Closed. 29, The Left Nostril Closed 30. Both The Nostils Closed, 31. Both The Nostils Open, 32, Starting Inhalation with Controlled Abdominal Muscles (Front View) 33. Starting Inhalation with Contrlled Abdominal Muscles (Side View). 34, Full Inhalation with Controlled Abdominal Muscles (Front View) 35. Full Inhalation with Controlled Abdominal Muscles, (Side View) 36, Full Inhalation with Protracted Abdomen. (Front View). 137. Full Inhalation with Protracted Abdomen (Side View) 38, Full Exbalation (Front View) 30. Full Exhalation (Sido View). 40. Abdomen and Thorax at the end of Plaka in Kapilabhat 41, Abdomen and Thorax at the ond of Recaka in Kapalabhit 42, The Tongue Arranged asa Bird's Beak, 43. The Mouth Widely Opened, SCHEME OF TRANSLITERATION e-i le we ABBREVIATIONS areata - stat, Riv Sr. testa - ae Gie. Sit vierginftte hg Mu Vi reget wag - PLY. ‘wreifrermereregit — yu.ey-Brhadyogi YE. Sm. starrer a ~ Baud. Dh sera ut + BG erie 0 aha LY. fearere - m= VAN orf wee. HP, eo CHAPTER I RESPIRATION PRANAYAMA is a Yogic exercise in respiration. It is, therefore desirable thata student ofPrigdyima is acquainted with some important details of the respiratory system. Hence, we propose to describe inthis chapter a few broad features of the anatomy and physiology of respiration. Respiration consists of the altemate expansion and contraction ‘ofthe thorax, by means of which air is drawn into or expelled from the lungs. inthis chapter we shall fist consider the various organs that are directly concerned with this passage of air to and from the lungs; and then ve shall se how these organs actin the ifferent stages of respiration. ‘The organs of respiration may be enumerated as the nose, the ‘pharynx, the larynx, the trachea, the bronchi andthe lungs. Nerves and blood-vessels connected with these parts may also be looked ‘upon as organs of respiration. Generally, however, the nose isnot inchuded in such an enumeration. But when we want to write on ‘espration from the Yogic point of view, the nose as not only to be included but als tobe studied in detail, In dealing with these organs we shall proceed along the passage of the air fom outside into the lungs and as we meet with the nose frst, we shall stat this chapter with a description ofthat organ, ‘Tat Nose -- We shall beable to study the nose both externally and internally with the help of a mirror and of te charts given in ‘this chapter In using this mircor the eader should allow light to ‘come fom his back and fll upon the mirror held in his font. The ya ‘mirror should beso adjusted as would easily throw reflected light into the nostrils when the head is thrown backward, but would not daze the eye, We always see our nose in the mirror. But what we generally see is only the external part ofthe nostrils. Let our reader have a Peep into the intemal portions of the nostrils also, He will find that by the side of the dividing wall, up inthe cavity there is a hole in each of the two nostrils. He might think that these holes ae 0 sort of communication between the nose and some other organ situated inside the head. But he would be seriously wrong in thinking that way. Infact the external nose is only a small part ofthe organ anatomically known asthe nose. The most important art of itis situated inside the head, behind the two holes our reader has seen and above the hard palate that forms a part of the ‘of of his mouth, We shall presently examine this internal part of the nose. But before we do so let us fnish with the extemal part ofthat orga. ‘If we feel our nose with our fingers, we find that a very large part of itis mobile. This is because this portion of the nose, including the dividing septum, is made of diferent cartilages attached to one another bya tough, Fibrous membrane and covered. ‘over by the skin. If our reader again looks into his mir and ‘examines the inside of his nostrils, he will find thatthe skin which ‘covers the extemal surface of the nose, continues inward and also ‘overs the lower chamber of the internal nose. He will find even the lower portion of the septum clothed similarly in skin. This Portion of the nasal cavity is called the vestibule. From the walls of this vestibule, our reader will ind, a numberof stout and stiff Respiration 3 Inir projecting. Out of these hair, those that graw from the front part projet backward, whereas those that rise from the back part project forward, Thus a sievelike arrangement is provided just at the entrance of the nose. The external nose has two ends. The "upper end which is connected with the forehead is called the root and the lower end which is fre, is called the apex of the nose. I we again feel the flexible part of our ose and examine the "upper as well as posterior borders oft, we find them hard, This is because the elastic part of the nose is attached to bones a the top behind. In Fig.2the mobile nose has beea removed and bones to Which itis attached are exposed to our view. Our reader will ‘immediately se thatthe bony borders which carried the flexible atachments ofthe nose, representa picture exactly similar to that ofthe heart drawn in the playing cards. Let us observe afew facis about this bony aperture that dtsctly concern us. Below the forehead and between the eyes thee are two bones which we can fel extemlly. They are called the nasal bones (1) and form what is known as the bridge of the nose. A vertical line (3) is seen dividing the aperture into two exact halves. This represents the nasal septum. The circular curves atthe bottom belong tothe two "upper jaw-bones. (5). These curves matk the lower borders ofthe ‘wo holes observed by our reader in the back part of his extemal ‘We have already stated that the external nose is only a small part of the real organ. The most important part of i is situated inside the head. We bave now removed the mobile nose and come to the entrance of the inner cavities, Let ut now note whats there inside the aperture that lies before us in Fig. 2 4 Panis ‘The aperture which is divided into two halves by the nasal septum leads to two cavities that tare roughly specking ovalshaped, ‘These cavities continue backward and open into the throat with ‘holes similar to those we observe on the bony surface before us. Each of these cavities has a flor, a roof, and a medical and @ lateral wall ‘The septum which divides these cavities stands forthe medial all ofboth. Its made of bones all along except infront where a large cartilage fils up the gap. The floor isalso bony. A reference to Fig. la will show this floor in @ median section I is made of ‘two bones The front part is made ofthe upper jawbones and the back part, of the hard palate bones. There are two upper jaw ‘bones and two hard palate bones. The upper jaw-bonesare arranged side by side and form our upper jaw in which the teeth are set, Behind the upper jaw, the hard palate bones stand side by side and form our hard palate. The lower surface ofthe two upper jaw= bones and the hard palate bones go to form the roof of our mouth, If we ty to fel the roof of our mouth with our finger from the "upper teeth backward, we will meet with two hard sufece, One is rough and the other is smooth. The rough surface which we feel just above our teeth is presented by the upper jaw-bones, and the hard but smooth surface that we cross when the finger is moved backward belongs to the hard palate bones. Behind this the soft Palate can easly be felt. Fig 1 shows thatthe upper sure ofthe "upper jaw-bones and the hard palate bones are horizontal and that is why the floor of the nasal cavities is also horizontal. So the "upper jaw-bones and the hard palate bones at once form the roof ofthe mouth andthe floor ofthe nose. That means the nasal cavities Respiration 5 lie just above the roof ofthe mouth. The lateral walls ofthe nasal ‘cavities are somewhat complicated. They are also made of bones ‘They rise from below at same distance from the septum, but as they rise they incline towards the septum to meet it atthe roof ‘Some idea o this inclination ofthe lateral walls can be ad from Fig. 2. Here the boay aperture represents the enteral borders of these nasal walls. So these cavities are broad below, but narow ‘down atthe top. From the lateral walls arise inside the cavities scrlllike bones. One of them has been masked Fig. 2 (4). These sotoll-like Bones extend all long the length ofthe lateral walls and ‘open backward into the throat. [Now we eonsider the roof. Tis is also a bony structure, The ‘oor ofthe nasal cavities is horizontal; but the oof is arched. An {dea ofthis arch can be had from Fig. 18, where the septum is shown arching atthe top. Now this septum rses direct to meet the roof, and therefore the upper curve ofthe septum fay represents the ach ofthe roof. We may note especially two boaes tht form the roof. The nasal bones that have already been noticed form the front slope of the arching roof. Behind these nasal bones the roof is formed by a big bone called ethmoid. The ethmoid is at once theroof ofthe nose and partof te loor ofthe brain, That moans itseparates the nasal cavities from the brain. Thus the nasal cavities stand between the mouth and the brain; and open backwards into the throat just above the soft palate, Upto now we have studied the bony structure of extemal nose as well a ofthe nasal cavities. Now we have to note that these hhard surfaces recovered over with mucous membrane. Ths mucous ‘membrane is a continuous piece that lines out the inside of the « Pripsyins ‘extemal nose except the vestibule, bu it also clothes the flor, the roof and the walls of the nasal cavities and continue into the pharynx. When we examine this mucous membrane covering the nasal cavities, we find tha functionally wo areas are tobe mapped ‘out. The upper area covers one third of the total surface of the nasal cavities and the lower area the remaining two-thirds, Having the sense of smell situated init, the upper district is called the ‘olfactory region, the lower district being called the respiratory region, as it constitutes the passage for air breathed in and out during respiration. That means the cavities ofthe nose have got two separate tracts for the two different functions they perform. If we divide the height of the nostrils into three equal pats, the ‘uppermost partis sed for smelling and two lower pats are wsed forbreathing. None should suppose, however, thatthe uppermost partis not at all available as a passage for respiration. Although in ‘the nonmal and quiet breathing only the lower two pais ae used, in forced breathing the upper third is also tized. The sense of ‘smell, however, is confined tothe upper third only, having nothing to-do withthe two lower regions. Ths is because the sense of ‘smell depends upon the presence ofthe olfctory nerve-endings ‘which are distributed only over the upper third area. (Vide Fig. 104). ‘Two features which dstinguith the mucous membrane covering the olfactory region ftom that covering the respiratory tract, deserve our attention here. The mucous membrane which clothes ‘the respiratory tracts thick and spongy whereas that which lines the olfactory region is softer and more delicate. The other istinguishin feature isthe very great vascularity ofthe respiratory Respiration 3 ‘tract, In fac it is marked by the presence of a rich venous plexus. ‘These anatomical factshave a physiological significance. Asnoted above in ordinary quiet breathing, the air moves through the lower twosthirds of the nasal area, The air in the upper one-third is scarcely disturbed. Now that portion of the mucous membrane ‘which lines the passage ofthe air must be stouter than the portion ‘where the air is stationary the hours of normal breathing. The greater vascularity ofthe respiratory tract as also a purpose to serve, When extemal air is to be breathed into the lungs, it must bbe warm and moist, otherwise it may have an injurious effect ‘upoa the delicate structure ofthe lungs. Now the large supply of| venous blood which is present in the plexus situated in the respiratory region, raises the temperature of the air during Inspiration and also moistens i. It has boon stated above that the sense of smell is situated in the upper one-third of the nasal cavtis. This sense consists of| very fine nerve filaments from twelve to twenty in number. They are distributed like a thick brush both on the septum and te ateral walls. Here these nerves descend through the ethmoid bone which, as we have seen above, separates the nasal cavities from the brain, ‘Tarough the cthmoid the olfictory nerves reconnected with the olfactory bull which in its tum is joined to the base ofthe brain through the olfactory tac. Fig, | illustrates the olfactory nerves, the bulb, the tract as also the base of the brain, When the fine endings ofthe olfactory nerves are stimulated by particles carrying ‘odour with them, sensation of smell is experienced Following facts may be remembered with advantage in regard to the sense of smell. ’ Prtpayim ‘The delicacy ofthe sense of smell is very remarkable, It has 3 ‘eon calculated that even >5qspq5q5 Of aan of musk can he Aistincly smelt ‘But when the particles isuing from an odoriferous substance ae very few, their presence inthe air may not be appreciated in ‘nocmal breathing, because they pass through the respiratory passage only and are not presented to the nerve-endings in the olfactoty region. If under such circumstances a sudden sniff is rade air is foreed even into the olfactory tract and the faint odour ‘can be detected. Even a liberal proportion of edoriferous particles in the ai ail ‘making itself felt. For the sense of smell 0 be excited, the mucous membrane must be nether too dry nor too moist, So When one catches cold his sense of smells dulled owing tothe presence of ‘excessive moisture. There is another reason also why one does ‘ot smell properly during cold. The swelling of the mucous ‘membrane covers the nerve filaments rendering them inaccessible to the odoriferous particles. Iisa mater or common experience that perfumes make the ‘strongest impression to start with. Afterwards they grow fainter ‘and even their presence is lost upon us, if We coatinue ong to be in their presence. This circumstance ean be accounted for by the fatigue of the sense of smell. The olfactory apparatus is soon exhausted and fails us on that account. If, however, we take a ‘ound in the fresh air, the apparatus is reffeshed and we can again appreciate the odour. Repatin F Tue Puaeinorithas been stated above that the asl chambers osrioriy open into the tat. These openings astute above the sof palate and bstow the base ofthe cranium, This potion smarsthe beginning ofthe pharyax. Now ifoureader gin ook into the miror wih his mouth widely opened, he wil observe that there is something like a wall of lsh covered over with he ‘mocous membrane, steching behind the tongue andthe soft late. Tis wall arches above the so palate in something ikea dome tis exactly under his dome that the posterior openings of the nse ar losated, Balow the tongue the wall descends inthe form of sick that ens in two openings, one of which leads 0 the esophagus andthe other othe laryax (Vide Fig. 3) From the backward openings of he nasal chambers to the lower openings leading tthe esophagus andthe ayn, the same cana stretches continuously andi known asthe pharynx. Our eadr need! nat te told tha he mouth is only an opening in the anterior wall of the pharyns. So upto now we have noticed five openings ofthe ary, two nasal, one oa, on aesophagesl and one laryngeal ‘There ae tvo more offices which pcre the pharynx. They ae situated in the side wall ofthe pharynx, one on each side, above the sft palate. They are called Eustachian oifces, because they snark th openings ofthe Eustachian tubes which the cavities of the cars. The portion of he phar thi stated above the ‘soft palate is called the nasal part of the pharynx, that situated tehind the mouth and the tong is clled the oral part, whereas the remaining portion is aed the laryngeal part, The pharynx is used forthe pasage ofthe air a it is breathed {in and breathed out. In inhalation the air drawn through the nasal 0 Pransyao cavities passes aross the nasal and oral pats of the pharynx and then getting down the Larynx goes into the trachea and the lungs. In exhalation the ai expelled from the lungs follows the reverse path, At the time of breathing the aesophagus as well as the "Eustachian tubes remain closed andthe possiblity ofthe air going wong way is avoided. Again the soft palate leaves, betwen it and the back wall of the pharynx, an opening sufficient for free ‘movement of the flowing ar. Hence, there is no obstruction in the way of respiration At the time of speaking, however, the soft pate completely ‘covers the upper part of the pharynx, so that no ai can find its ‘ay upward into the nasal part, Buti some person, the soft palate is defective, there being a small cleft in it, When these people attempt speaking some of the ar rom the lungs escapes through this cleft above the palate, and finds is way through the nasal ‘passages that are ever opea, adds nasalized element to their voice. Our reader knows that he uses a part of the pharynx also for ‘swallowing. Food tavels through the orl pat into the laryngeal pharynx snd then gets into the aesophagus. The question is why food going down the pharyax does aot nun into the larynx and is always pushed down the aesophagus, Fortis purpose we have to refer toa small organ named epiglots. ‘The epiglotis is situated at the root ofthe tongue (Vide Fig. 3) ‘and serves as cover forthe larynx in times of need. Inthe act of| ‘swallowing, the larynx is raised, ad the descending morsel lowers the epiglotis which meeting the raised larynx completely covers its mouth. Thus the larynx being closed, food finds its way to the esophagus or gullet, The rising of the larynx can be felt by Respiration u anybody by lacing his fingers on the middle of his throat and {imitating the act of swallowing. If however, through mistake even ‘a small paricle of food gets the wrong way, we mean gets into ‘the larynx, violent coughing ensues, the system forcibly ties to expel the intruder. Food does not get into the nasal part, because the soft palate completly shuts out that portion during the act of| swallowing. ‘The mucous membrane covering the nose is continuous with ‘the pharynx. Its also to be noted that it continues to cover all the passages leading from the pharynx. Its this circumstance which makes a trouble starting withthe throat very often spreads to the note, the ear and the larynx. That is why running of the nose,

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