Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1881-01-20
Colds.

THOUSANDS of people died last veal
from colds. They were said to die oi
pneumonia, of consumption, of pleurisy,
OF catarrhal fever, of various inhamma,
tions, every one of which originated in
a cold. 1t may 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.
What Is coldP It is an obstruction
OF some one or more of the eKoretory
organs Of the body, by which effete
matters, being prevented from passing
off, clog the system, producing poison
and consequent Inflammation and dis
tress. Thepores of the body are esti-
mated at 100000. Each pore is the
outlet of tube One-fOurth Of an inch
long. 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 tho feet by chill or dampness, the
exuvig which should have been thrown
off through these pores are retained
within theSbody until some one or other
of the exCretories can throw it off. Upon
whatever part Of the body is weakest it
will settle. With some q 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 we'll settled ON any one Of these or
gans there is trouble.
All this Is very alphabetical, but il
seems as though people never will learn
that a cold is anything that one need
be concerned about. And yet one
might as we'll take mild dose Of arsenic,
or strychnine, or corrosive sublimate,
not enough TO kill quick, but enough to
make one quite uncomfortable, and
think "nothing need be done about it,
1t will pass away of ITSELF" as to take a |
slight cold and think it of no conse-
quence, A cold is poison; slight cold !
Is a slight dose Of poison, heavy cold |
Is a heavy dose Of poison. A slight
cold may under favoring circumstances,
often does, develop a zymotic power
that like suake-poisOn ferments In the |
blood I'LL death is inevitable. If one
has large vitality, he or she may "throw
off a cold without much trouble, but
those who have little vitality viii be
thrown by the cold instead Of throw
ing il.
Now, what shall one do who has a
coldP He should at once take measures
TO open the pores that have been closed,
and 80 10 stimulate the various excretory
organs that the poison shut back into
che body may be at once removed be-
fore ii has had time 10 settle on any vital
organ. A hot fOOt-bath, succeeded by
hot libations Of sage tea, pennyroyal
tea or other sudatOries commonly used
in families, viii soon throw one into a
perspiration and begin che process of
healing. This should be followed by
copious use of fruit diet, which is the
best cathartic In the world. II the lungs
seem 70 be affected, such remedies as
viii help them throw off obstruction
should be used. A mild mustard plaster
viii generally give immediate relief.
The patient should remain in uniform
temperature til his trouble Is over, and
gradually accustom himself to change Of
temperature.
Il Is q curious fact that we almost
always take our colds, not when the
weather grows colder but when II
grows warmer. The pores Of the skin
are relaxed by the warmth, and Wedo
not feel the need Of extra clothing as in
cold weather; so, growing careless and
lecure, a draught or q little dampness
steals march on US, and the first we