The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-09
The Danger of Neglectlng Colds.


Colds are generally considered but simple
things, and, as natural consequence, are TOO
much neglected. How often do you hear the
remark, ooh, it is only coldw True, only a
cold, but what is being done for it? Frequent
ly notbino. MANY a long and dangerous, and
sometimes fatal fit of illness, might be proven
ted by paying the proper attention to cold
which it so seriously demands. Most of the
causes of consumption come from cold being
in the first instance neglected. To many 9TH
er diseases does it also give rise. In climate
like this, where we have sometimes two and
three changes in day, it is impossible to
avoid taking cold, unless due precaution be
observed. Persons should clothe themselves
as much as possible in keeping with the tenn
perature OF the atmosphere.
With the thermometer above zero, the
clothing should not be SO warm as at or below
zero, as by so doing the pores are open to an
undue extent, sometimes profuse perspiration
induced and, as a natural consequence, cold
is taken. Drafts in every way, whether in or
out of doors, ought to be avoided. Too much
importance cannot be given to this, but yet we
see it daily neglected. How often do we see
persons in this city, on one of the bleakest
days, stopping to talk at the corner OF the
street in draft of wind. This, too, is gener-
ally the case after walking fast and becoming
heated. How is it possible, under such circun-
StduCcS, " dNolu JdhlilS CO1d Auu YET per-
sons will SO innocently tell you, 81 don't know
howl could have taken cold; have not ex-
posed myself in any way"
As important also, is the mode of life in
doors, for on this much depends. Ladies are
very apt to dress for going out, and then sit in
warm room for half an hour, perhaps more,
if somebody delays them, by which perspira-
ton is produced, and in that state, from the
warm house into the cold air they CO. 1t must
perature OF the atmosphere do the pores close
or open; uniform temperature should be OBJ
served, as by so doing the circulation is regJl-
larry maintained. Any one leaving an atmos-
phere of eighty degrees, and going into one of
sixty degrees, experiences great change, and
if they wish to avoid cold should be clad in
such manner as to make up for the proper
Tomato difference in the temperature. For
this reason great uniformity in the tempera-
ture of the house should be observed. Change
the atmosphere in the house frequently by adj
hitting as often as possible, during the day,
fresh air. 30
Every house should be thoroughly ventila-
ted the first thing every morning, SO as to al
low the atmosphere of the previous night to
escape. This can be done by first airing one
part and then another. By doing this house
can be more easily warmed. Where there are
many persons collected together in a room,
care should be observed to keep few inches |
of the window open from the top, every one |
avoiding sitting close to or under it, as after
time when there are many collected together,
the atmosphere of the room becomes impreg-
mated with their exhalations, and the air is
thus rendered impure, By perfect ventilation
there is a uniform amount of oxygen, which
is the vital part of the atmosphere, and which
is necessary to our very existence, maintained.
Who has not noticed the disagreeable feeling
produced on going from the fresh air into a
room with many persons, in which the venti-
lation is imperfect? l5o. m i.e irn ,.-.,fa.r.t.gs
At night, also, fresh air should be admitted
into the room, for it is, if anything, more ne
cessary that thele thould be a plentiful sup
ply OF oxygen. We have often been asked the
ridiculous question, ifenough air did not come
in through the keyhole. Certainly not That
is not fresh air. Make it rule always to sleep
with part of your window open from the top,
avoiding it blowing on you. Fresh air never
hurts any one, for by it we live. 1t is the want
oft that Injuries. Persons seem to forget that
they spend one-third of their lives in their
bedrooms. We frequently see a man build
ing house bestowing all his attention on the |
plan of the pariors, while the bedrooms are, to
great extent, in some instances entirely neg
lected. 1t had better be uice uersd.
Another thing to which we wish to draw at
tention, is that ofneglecting to change shoes
ana stockings aIter oelng out on damp or
rainy day. Though they may neither appear
nor feel damp, yet they should be changed,
care being observed to keep the feet always |
warm. AS long as one is walking, the circu-
lation is kept up, no matter how wet the feet |
may be, but the instant you remain quiet it is
checked, unless the stockings and shoes be |
changed. Holding the feet but few minutes |
to fire or over register, is not sufficient, as
you only by that dry the external part of the |
shoe or boot. Ii the feet are cold they should |
be rubbed thoroughly with rough towel I'M
til warmth has been restored, when they might |
be, if desired, held short time before the fire.
Jumping out OF bed and walking about On the |
carpet, as is too often done, should be avoided |
A pair of slippers can be so placed by the bed
at night when retiring, as to be accessible on
rising.-N. Y. Lancet