Here’s an odd one for the notebook. Dave Allison forwarded it from Dr. George W Crane’s column in the April 29 issue of the Daily (N.Y.) News. We quote, “Today I’ll reveal Houdini’s secret of holding his breath more than four minutes. Follow the instructions.

(A) Without preliminary deep breathing, inhale a single deep breath. Hold it as long as possible. Record the time.

(B) After resting a few minutes, rapidly inhale and exhale deeply for at least twelve times. Then hold the last deep breath as long as possible. Record the time. It should be at least 20 to 40 seconds longer than in (A).

(C) Rest awhile; then rapidly inhale and exhale deeply for at least twelve times. Hold the last deep breath as long as possible. Pinch your nostrils shut, so you have a closed air system. When you begin to feel oxygen hunger, belch and then swallow. Keep repeating this process, which stirs up the air in the lungs and taps the aircap in the stomach, holding as much as a normal breath of fresh air. This should serve to double your time in (A).