Shut Your Mouth and Save Your Life

In his search for answers as to why Native Americans had such strong constitutions, longer and more trouble-free lifespans, and none of the normal handicaps of their more "civilized" counterparts, American painter and historian George Catlin drew a direct link between the "closed-mouth" sleeping practices of the "Indians," as he called them, and their superior constitutions and health. Catlin was particularly impressed by the beauty, strength, demeanor, and superb health of the Native Americans. He described some of the tribes he met as picturesque and handsome, "almost beyond description." In visiting Native American graveyards, he couldn't help but notice the extremely low proportion of children buried compared to the more "civilized" races. Convinced that the diseases of civilized man weren't due to genetics or inherent flaws in physical makeup, Catlin began looking for the one great "lamentable fault" that might be behind the great disparity of health found between the civilized and less civilized peoples. Today, sleep researchers have documented that breathing with the mouth open while sleeping can lead not only to snoring, but lower sleep quality and eventually, a decline in health. Thus, one more book written in the 1800's and considered by some to be a bit "over the top" has proven itself--and many of the concepts presented therein--to be not only scientifically sound, but deserving of consideration by virtually everyone interested in health.

In his search for answers as to why Native Americans had such strong constitutions, longer and more trouble-free lifespans, and none of the normal handicaps of their more "civilized" counterparts, American painter and historian George Catlin drew a direct link between the "closed-mouth" sleeping practices of the "Indians," as he called them, and their superior constitutions and health. Catlin was particularly impressed by the beauty, strength, demeanor, and superb health of the Native Americans. He described some of the tribes he met as picturesque and handsome, "almost beyond description." In visiting Native American graveyards, he couldn't help but notice the extremely low proportion of children buried compared to the more "civilized" races. Convinced that the diseases of civilized man weren't due to genetics or inherent flaws in physical makeup, Catlin began looking for the one great "lamentable fault" that might be behind the great disparity of health found between the civilized and less civilized peoples. Today, sleep researchers have documented that breathing with the mouth open while sleeping can lead not only to snoring, but lower sleep quality and eventually, a decline in health. Thus, one more book written in the 1800's and considered by some to be a bit "over the top" has proven itself--and many of the concepts presented therein--to be not only scientifically sound, but deserving of consideration by virtually everyone interested in health.

George Catlin discusses how closing one's mouth during sleep and day to day will foster improvement in mental and physical condition. This edition contains all of the original illustrations the author made. Walking among and studying various Native American tribes in the 19th century, the author noticed that many of the elders possessed a serene and well-preserved appearance. The young members of the tribe seemed especially healthy, with an innate resistance to certain illnesses and congenital conditions. Seeing the tribe's members sleeping, he noted that they all did so with closed mouths. Catlin pondered whether this habit contributed to the physical vigor of the people, and investigated further. After venturing back to the towns of the Midwest, he attests to witnessing how terrible many people who had practiced mouth breathing throughout life appeared, and became deeply opposed to its practice. This book details how children and young people can be encouraged against mouth breathing, and notes how different the facial countenance appears between mouth breathing people and nose breathers. Today, the notion that mouth breathing promotes physical ugliness or decrepitude is wholly disavowed as an eccentric idea with no basis in fact. However, sleep researchers have demonstrated that breathing with the mouth open while asleep can result in more snoring and thus a lower quality of sleep and therefore health. Overall, one could venture that Catlin's ideas possess a certain merit, even if his book is an exaggeration. Although primarily known today as a painter and traveller who became an emissary of sorts to the Plains tribes, George Catlin was also an enthusiastic if occasional writer. He admired the Native American peoples for their traditions and distinctive appearance, and took to painting them - his marked talent led to their respect for his gifts, and they duly welcomed him with friendship.

George Catlin discusses how closing one's mouth during sleep and day to day will foster improvement in mental and physical condition. This edition contains all of the original illustrations the author made. Walking among and studying various Native American tribes in the 19th century, the author noticed that many of the elders possessed a serene and well-preserved appearance. The young members of the tribe seemed especially healthy, with an innate resistance to certain illnesses and congenital conditions. Seeing the tribe's members sleeping, he noted that they all did so with closed mouths. Catlin pondered whether this habit contributed to the physical vigor of the people, and investigated further. After venturing back to the towns of the Midwest, he attests to witnessing how terrible many people who had practiced mouth breathing throughout life appeared, and became deeply opposed to its practice. This book details how children and young people can be encouraged against mouth breathing, and notes how different the facial countenance appears between mouth breathing people and nose breathers. Today, the notion that mouth breathing promotes physical ugliness or decrepitude is wholly disavowed as an eccentric idea with no basis in fact. However, sleep researchers have demonstrated that breathing with the mouth open while asleep can result in more snoring and thus a lower quality of sleep and therefore health. Overall, one could venture that Catlin's ideas possess a certain merit, even if his book is an exaggeration. Although primarily known today as a painter and traveller who became an emissary of sorts to the Plains tribes, George Catlin was also an enthusiastic if occasional writer. He admired the Native American peoples for their traditions and distinctive appearance, and took to painting them - his marked talent led to their respect for his gifts, and they duly welcomed him with friendship.