The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-05-10
VOLUME XVIIT.---NO. 4::,.
Is q Cold n Fever!

The theory that colds are the result of
exposure to cold or damp air is generally
accepted. Indeed, most persons afflicted
Will! this disorder are able to trace its
origin, satisfactorily to themselves at
least, to some undue or unusual contact
with outside air. They seek no other ex.
PLANTATION. In the colums of the I'opu.
Tar Science News DR.. Page, of Biddefard
Me-, undertakes to show the fallacy Of
such a course of reasoning. That his
theory is new to most people is no proof
that it will lot hold good. Having made
the subject Of colds n speciaI study for
ten years, he concludes that the ailment
which is universally called cold is in
reality fever, and is directly caused by
indigestion or impure air. He saws:
foul air prevents the publication of the
blood hence the accumulation of impu.
rites which in their exit gave rise to the
symptoms Popularly supposed to indi.
cate colo. Hot living-rooms render i'm
possible the digestion of moro than a
little food, and that of the pleinest sort
by making only little necessary. Indi,
gestion results from eating improper
food or some degree of excess, the excess
being either positive or relative, accord.
ing as the skin is more or less swell.
tered with clothing, (2) the lungs more
Oh less outraged BY Dad air, and (3} the
entire organism less or more invigorated
by fresh and cold air. 1t is uno,leation.
ably true that when, by reason of wrong
conditions, the system has become iii,
conditioned-when, that is, there are
impure matters to eIiminate-some
chance exposure to bracing atmosphere
may 80 invigorate the organism byy the
presence OF fresh air in tho lungs and ita
touch upon the skin, that the process of
elimination begins, and but for the return
70 the close, over heated atmosphere of
the home this process would often be
completed all unconsciously to the indi.
Vidual, who now makes the great mistake
Of 'confounding the cause Of his recovery
with the cause of his disease"
DIR. Page Is not in favor of wearing
more clothing than is consistent with
physical comfort. Is it not evident, he
asks, that the less clothirg we wear and
the more we are exposed to cold the
nearer we are carried, metaphorically
speaking. 10 the polar regions, where
"surteit fever" is unknown? And are
not these the conditions, he adds, which
stimulate the digestive system by Great
ing a Legitimate demand for greater
portion of the excess which we are
always under temptation to swallow?
lie notes instances where his own pa
tients have "taken cold" by putting on
their winter fannels," and sarcaslIcally
remarks that the idea never occurred to
them to cure the "cod" by leaving off
the undergarments which were the real
cause of the disorder, and adds: "Tho
last time two years ago) that wore
flannel drawers removed them for this
very purpose-to aid in relieving my
system, which was oppressed by what is
called cold. awoke with an increase
OF my disorder-sore throat, hoarseness,
pressure at the lungs, chilliness; dressed
without my drawers; skipped nv
breakfast, though my appetite was more
than usually imperative In demanding its
accustomed treat; went directly out ION
cold, snowy day., and, spending most
Of the day in the open air, actively
engaged meantime, by night found my
pipes pretty clear in fact, removing
the fannels and fasting the entire day,
meeting thirst and 'gnawing' stomach
with hot water, with an extra sponge
bath at bed time-taking an air bath,
with considerable friction, on top of the
quick sponge bath, both morning and
night, in this emergency proved rare
and speedy cure"
In conclusion, DR.. Page remarks that
II II could become ropularly known that
the symptoms observed in cases of "cold"
were evidences of an effort on the part of
the orga Ism to eliminate Impurities
which have been collecting perhaps for
months, and that fasting, fresh mir, and
exercise are natures triple panacea" for
the disorder, n very great proportion Of
nll severe sicknesses would he prevented.
Without presuming to question the eff.
cacy of the doctors remedies for colds,
We think there are comparatively few
people possessed Of sufficient temeri:y 10
discard the winter flannels with pneu.
monia or kindred disease staring them
In the face.