The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-29
Colds.


THOUSANDS of people died last year
from colds. They were said to die of
pneumonia, of consumption, of pleurisy,
tions, every one of which originated in
a cold. Itsmay have been, and probably
was, slight cold these people had at
first, but. was neglected and neglected
till it became a more and more serious
matter, resulting in severe illness and
finally in death. Hu 80 hire
What is a coldP 1t is an obstruction
of some one or more of the excretory
organs of the body, by which effete
matters, being prevented from passing
off, clog the system, producing poison
and consequent Inflammation and dis
tress. The pores of the body are esti-
mated at 100000. Each pore is the
outlet of tube one-fourth Of an inch
dong. This makes the whole length of
tubing in the skin for purposes of sew
erage nearly twenty-eight miles. The
lungs also serve as excretories, as do the
bowels and the kidneys. Now, when
any part of the pores are closed, 'as those
of the feet by chill or dampness, the
exuvie which should have been thrown
off through these pores are retained
within the body until some one or other
of theexcretories can throw it off. Upon
whatever part of the bodyis weakest it
will settle. With some cold goes at
once to the bowels, with others to the
kidneys, with others to the lungs, with
Others to the mucous lining of the head
and bronchial tubes, producing catarrh
and bronchitis, with others to the nerves,
causing neuralgia. When the poison
gets well settled on any one of these or
gans there is. trouble.
All this is very alphabetical, but it,
seems as though people never will learn
that a cold is anything that one need
be concerned about And yet one
might as well take mild dose of arsenic,
or strychnine. or corrosive sublimate,
not enough to kill quick, but enough to
make one quite uncomfortable, and
think ssnothing need be done about it,
it will pass away of ITSELF" as to take
slight cold and think it of no conse-
quence. A cold is poison; a slight cold
is slight dose of poison, heavy cold
is a heavy dose of poison. A slight
cold may under favoring circumstances,
often does, develop zymotic power
that like snake poison ferments in the
blood till death is inevitable. If one
has large vitality, he or she may "throw
off ~ cold without much trouble, but
those who have little vitality will be
thrown by the cold instead Of throw
ingit.g3 VAN 90t Il Mn
Now, what shall one do who has a
coldP He should at once take measures
to open the pores that have been closed,
and so to stimulate thevarious excretory
organs that the poison shut back into
the body may be at once removed be-
fore it has had time to settle on any vital
organ. A hot foot-bath, succeeded by
hot lbations of ssge tea, pennyroyal
tea or other sudatories commonly used
in families, will soon throw one into q
perspiration and begin the process Of
healing This should be followed by q
copiois use of fruit diet, which is The
best cathartic in the world. II the lungs
seem to be affected, such remedies a.
will help them throw off obstruction
should be used. A mild mustard plaster
will generally give immediate relief
The patient should remain in uniform
temperature till his trouble is over, anC
gradually aocustom himself to change O.
temperature. .,t..s
1t is curious fact that we almos
always take our colds, not when tn,
weather grows colder, but when
grows warmer. The pores of the Skin
are relaxed by the warmth, and we d.
not feel the need of extra clothing as il
cold weather; so, growing careless anC
secure, a draught or little dampnes
steals q march on us, and the first W,