Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-12-31
GOLD IN THE HEAD"

Acute coryZa is an acute Inflammation
of the nasal mucous membrane. The af.
lection is commonly known as "a cold in
the head and the term acute nasal
catarrah has also been applied, both by
the profession and the laity. The symp-
toms which usher in coryza are feeling
of lassitude, slight chllness, and SEN
sation of weight and pressure in the head,
especially about the forehead. At the
same time there is prickling and dry
ness of the nose. and sneezing is easily
provoked. Redness and swelling of the
mucous membrane soon supervene, and
the uncomfortable sensation caused by
the arrested secretion is somewhat re-
lieved by a free discharge. The flow is
at first watery, then of a mucous quality {;
finally it becomes more or less purulent
in character. There is usually a partial
loss of the sense of smell; sometimes that
of taste is also affected. Fever OCCASION
ally exists, but it is rarely of marked in
tensity.
1t is now generally assumed that the
affection owes its origin to special
cause; that 1t is probably parasitic, and
propagated by specific micro-organism
This point has never been established
with certainty, and before the germ
theory can be accepted, no matter on
what rational grounds it is based, it will
be necessary for competent microscopes
to institute thoroughly scientific inves-
tlgation, to prove that specific germ is
always present in this affection, and never
found in any other condition.
If it can be demonstrated, as some at
tempt to prove, that cold has very little
to do with the direct causation of coryza,
it certainly should be numbered with the
predisposing causes. A cold in the head
is frequently attributed to wet feet. and
it is not to be denied that that part of the
body is most exposed to atmospheric
vicissitudes. Coryza may be induced by
irritants affecting the nose directly, such
as tobacco, dust acrid fumes from chem
icalS, or by direct injury, wounds, or the
entrance of foreign bodies into the nasal
passages. Coryza is often the first stage
of various acute infectious diseases, es-
pecally measles, typhus, and influenza.
The disease under consideration, when
uncomplicated, tends to rapid recovery,
and runs its course in from two to seven
days. 1t rarely ends in the chronic form
of the disease unless it is neglected, or
the patient affected suffers from some
marked constitutional disturbance. In
occasional cases the Inflammation extends
along the canal leading into the ears,
giving rise to cracking sensation on
swallowing. and ringing noises, and i'm
pairing somewhat the hearing. The tear
duct, leading from the eyes to the nose,
is also often inhamed, and for time
closed.
Coryza, if treated Immediately on the
first appearance of the symptoms. NAV
be in some cases aborted. The remedy
which promises the best results is qui-
nine, and dose of 10 grains should be
administered. If this does not arrest the
N'i9N"''i ~ III usually us StNtTllN.
Limitations often relieve the discom-
fort suffered from during an attack of
coryza, by exciting an increased flow of
secretion. Ammonia, carbolic acid and
alcohol can be used to saturate sponge
confined in a bottle, which should be
kept tightly closed when not in use; the
proportionate quantity is five drachms of
each of the first two, to two ounces of
the last. Iodine and cologne are also
employed for the same purpose, and in
the same manner. The ordinary fluid
preparation of witch hazel is an agreea-
Bile application, and may be diluted with
one or two parts of wafer and snufied up
the nose. If there is considerable pain,
or tendency to excessive sneezing,
powder of morphine and the subnitrate
of bismuth will be found efficacious, one
grain of the former TO two drachms of
the latter. OF this a small ''pinch" can
be snuffed up occasionally Il Brattleboro
Phoenix.