Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1895-03-06
CATCHING COLD.
A Result of Physical Condition and to BE
Treated Accordingly.

|
Result of Physical Condition and to b
Treated Accordingly.
! My own belief is that the condition
that makes one susceptible to cold il
| usually occasioned by the surplus o.
waste material, the result of over
! feeding or of bad digestion, and thai
this effete matter, in it's endeavor te
be excreted, irritates the lining mem
brane of the breathing tract I also
believe that, because these various
forms of "cold" are most common in
persons who are subject to some Of
the various forms of rheumatism OF
gout, the waste material that thus
tries to escape is largely derived
from an excess of food, mostly of an
animal origin.
| The waste material from animal
or nitrogenous food should be ex-
creted by the skin and kidneys, but
low temperature or cold checks the
action of the skin and thus throws
the entire work of excretion upon the
kidneys. When the work for these
organs becomes excessive, then the
waste accumulates in the system, and
from this accumulation, after expo
sure to low temperature, arises the
inflammation of the breathing tract,
which is commonly designated as a
"cold."
The best plan to pursue is to modi-
fly the condition and gradually con-
duct the case to recovery. This is
safer and better than the usual at
tempts to "break it up" with large
doses of quinineand whisky, or either
alone. The best method to pursue
is to first relax the patient and start
all the secretive organs into great
activity. This is accomplished by
rest in warm and unchanging tenn
perature, SO that the skin may do its
full share of the work. This work
can be augmented by hot baths, foot
baths, tub or Turkish, and the use
of large, hot, nonstimulating drinks,
such as lemonade (not sweet), vari-
Gus teas or plenty of water slipped
slowly. But little medicine is needed
in this stage of the attack, and that
only to increase the activity of those
other two great excretory organs, the
kidneys and the bowels. The food
taken at this time should be the least
possible in both quantity and quality
that will satisfy the patient. ItWould
be better if none were taken for at
least "a hours. There sno danger of
starvation or undue weakness fol
lowing voluntary fast of day or
two,
Never urge patient who has pre-
viously been well to take food dur
ing the first two or three days of an
acute infammatory trouble. At the
end of this time the active symptoms
will have subsided if the above
course has been pursued, and then a
gradual return to the ordinary food
may be permitted to take place in
few days more. Stimulants are never
needed, except where there is mark
ed debility Or tardy convalescence.
Fresh colds, and lone cold on top
of another, T" are usually the resultof
undue haste to return to the ordinary
modes of living.
Prevention is better than cure, so
let us see what can he done to pre-
vent taking cold. First, avoid all ex-
cesses Of food, especially meats and
sweets. If the appetite IS strong, let
and fruits make up the
bulk of food taken. Do not use tea
or coffee, as it retards tissue change
and the excretion of waste. Use
plenty of clear soft water-at least
from three to four tunblers day
Take pleEty of outdoor exercise, Sc
as to use up all surplus food. A szzs:s-
tanned effort of at least 30 minutes 6
day at such exercise as yigor Gus
walking, or It's equivalent, Will Cd
wonders in purifying and balancing
the circulation of the blood. A dail,-
cold Or tepid sponge bath, followed
by brisk rundown. will helpmucl.
in increasing the healthy action Of
The skin and making it itrespond more
quickly to sudden changes of tenn
oerature. Wool next to the skin, or.
aext best, over thin gauze, is ALSO
utely necessary for those who easily
AXE cold
Breathing through the nose must
llso be insisted upon, mouth breath
ng being very frequent cause OF
5onsilitis and sore throat. Sometimes
interference is necessary to
make nose breathing q success. If
;hese directions are lived up to.
colds" will be few and far between
ind chronic catarrhs and large. ton
ills will be less prevalent. DIR C
N. Seltzer in Household News.
The Modern Wav