The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-12-08
Mseful aud Curious.
Catching Cold-Remedies.

While il is easy to take cold in midsummer
colds are usually more prevalent when low tenn
perature prevails, though less in clear, steady
winter than during the variable spring and au-
tumn. Catching cold' is usually the result of
Inequality Temperature in two parts Of the body,
especially adjacent parts, which disturb the uni
form circulation of the blood. AT the place
where this disturbance occurs, congestion
arises, that is, q rush blood to part from one
direction faster than il is carried of by the chilled
blood vessels in the other direction, and this
produces serious results if not speedily remeded.
This diseased condition may extend over the
whole body, affecting most severely any organ
already weak.
Tins a cold may come from damp or chilled
feet; from even a slight draft of air blowing
through a crack, upon one side or portion of the
body and cooling il: from standing near fire
or stove, heating one side while the other remains
comparatively cold; from warmer clothing
one part Of the body than on another; from light
ly dressing the arms and lower limbs. OF leaving
them naked; from standing over hot register;
from the chilling evaporation of water or mos-
ture from portion only Of ones elothing;-in
temperature.
The causes of a cold, named, indicate how to
avoid one. Maintaining general yigor by nour-
ishing, well digested food, gives one power TO
resist an attack. When to be especially exposed,
little tonic, n grain or two of quinine, taken
in advance, may be useful. Stimulants, like
alcoholic liquors, are but temporary aid; the
reaction after the first stimulating effects leaves
one more subject TO take cold than if the stimu-
liant had been omitted.
Simple remedies will usually remove a cold, if
taken promptly, before the congestion has pro-
duced serious disOrganization. When stuck with
sense of chillness, Is TO 30 drops of Aromatic
Spirits of Ammonia, in half tumbler of water
will often start uniform circulation all through
the body, as this quickly enters the whole blood
and is stimulating. Soaking the feet in warm
water, gradually adding warmer water as long
as it can be borne, draws off the blood from
all the rest of the body, and often relieves con-
gestion in any local part. Smart friction upon
any part or the whole of the skin surface, or a
uniform surface sweating, produces like results.
But in these cases, special care must be taken TO
prevent after-ehilling of the feet, OF any other
part. After the feet heating, wipe dry quickly
and cover them warmly.
The best remedy we have found for recent
cold is moderate movement Of the bowels with
castor oil, or carstie other mild cathartic
magnesa. This produces a flow of fluid, drawn
from the blood to the alimentary canal, and thus
reduces the pressure upon any one congested
point, just rs drawing off part OF the water from
a Hooded pond relieves pressure upon n weaken
ell dam or embankment. This is to he followed
by keeping the body warm and comfortable, and
toning it up with good food, or q simple tonic
like quinine. Feeding cold," prior to taking
a cathartic, is the worst possible treatment. 1t
is only adding material TO increase the conges-
tiOn.-dmerican AgrieHitarist.