St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-03-09
Colds. and How TO Check Them

What is most common of all diseases
in our climate A cold.
Are colds durable Strictly speaking,
no. After it is fully developed, | have
never known a cold to he cured by
medical treatment the disease runs
through certain course, and in the
popular phrase ''cures ITSELF after IL
greater or less degree of suffering on
the part of the patient. 1t is, in the
scientific phrase, one of the "self-lim-
tied" diseases. But sometimes, when
damaged organ is attacked, a cold
may terminate less favorably; some
times in pneumonia or pleurisy, or even
consumption. More frequently sue
cession of neglected colds brings on
chronic catarrh, complaint that is
particularly frequent in our trying
climate.
But if we can not actually cure a cold
after it is fully developed, it is all the
more important that we should be able
to do one of two things with it-frst,
to cut it short ut the outset, before the
disease has time to develop itself; or
second, to prevent its running on into
any of the bad consequences that
have named.
We will look at these cases separate
ly. And first, what is the nature of
this disease which | have called incur
able, but which can still be checked in
many cases at the outset, or even, if it
should run its usual course, may be
controlled as to its consequences
A cold is an inflammation, attended
by more or less fever; its usual cause
is exposure to Il draught, and especial
ly exposure of the feet or of the throat.
1t attacks the lining membrane of the
nostrils, the fauces and pharynx, OF
the trachea and bronchi, or more than
one of these regions; and we ordinari-
ly speak of these three forms as a cold
i'll the head, sore throat, and cold in the
chest. A cold in the head begins with
sneezing and 'defluxiOn," or Il dis
charge from the nOstrils cold in the
throat with hOarseness and sore glands
Il cold in the chest with Il cough. Either
form often runs into one or both of the
other forms but it is important to dis
tinguish them ut the outset, as | shall
point out in speaking of the treat
ment.
|. To cut short a cold at the outset
When a cold begins sin the head" with
sneezing, watery eyes, and defuxiOn,
the following treatment will cut it
short four times ont of five but it must
be taken at once, or at the latest with
in six hours after the first symptoms
occur. | don't say it is Il pleasant
treatment, but it is an effective one.
Fill tumbler half full of tepid water
-four Ounces,) add to it twenty drops
of laudanum, close the left nostril with
the fOretinger of the left hand, incline
the head to the right, and holding the
glass in the right hand, press the edge
of it against the right nOstril, inclining
the glass, then snuff up very slowly Il
quantity of the solution, until you feel
it beginning to run down at the back
part of the throat. Reverse the opera
ton for the other nOstril. Do not blow
ont the laudahum and water at once,
but let it remain minute, or until the
stinging sensation that it causes grows
less. Immediate relief is generally
given by this simple treatment. tmust
be done deliberately and thoroughly A.;
if the symptoms are not checked by the
first trial, repeat it a few times at in
tervals of half an hour, and keep with
in doors, if possible, for "A day. | have
often practiced this operation on my
self and on patients if carefully done,
and promptly, it will break mp cold
in the head before it has Il chance to get
fair start. A sniff in time saves nine.
But if this treatment is put off later, il
is OF no use, for the Inflammation of the
nasal passages soon takes firm hold
and the cold passes on into what | have
called the Incurable stage, in which
there is little to be done except to pal
late the sufferers discomfOrts.
When the cold commences in the
| throat, what shall we dOP Tie up the
throat in piece of flannel (red or any
other colOr-the color makes not the
least difference,) and by all means stay
at home if possible. If you know by
| experience that the cold threatens tC
! be IA severe one, take ten grains of Do
ver's powder, and some warm drink
! (the better if gently stimulating, though
| do not urge this upon total abstain.
ers,) and go to bed as early as may be
You have an even chance of being well
or much better at least, in the morning
A good perspiratiOn always helps tn,
cure.
If the cold begins in the bronchia
tubes, the above measures should b'
taken without delay, and, in addition
mustard poultice should be applied
to the upper part of the chest, and KEEP
on until the skin is red, but not lOnI
enough to blister A towel or linen
bandage around the throat, wet will
tepid water, often does much good; i
should he kept on through the night
and covered with piece of flannel t.
check the escape of moisture. In win
ter keep the room at an even tempera
ture of about 709-not higher. 5,
: much for treatment at the outset. Nov
a word upon the other point mention
ed.
2. HOaU 10 prevent a cold from run
ming on indefinitely, or turning into some
thing Many persons find relic
by tonic treatment from the start, IA
by quinine or iron. But physician
advice should always be had by thOs
who find that their colds are likely t.
hang on. No hard-and fast rules Cal
be laid down. The main points are
first, to avoid unnecessary further ex
) pOsure to cold second, to get compe
tent treatment adapted to the individ
. ual case and third, as IA means of pre-
/ ventiOn, to give special care to TIA
4 winter and summer, in this most tryini
E climate. will only say, on this point
2 that there is no greater superstition
2 among intelligent people than that q
= going with the neck unprotected 4