St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-02-17

some of the various forms of rheu-
matism or govt, that the waste ma
terial that thus tries to escape is
largely derived from an excess of
food, mostly of an animal origin.
The waste material from animal
or heterogeneous food should be eX-
GREETED 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 sys-
tenn. and from this accumulation,
after exposure to low temperature,
arises the inflammation of the breath
ing tract, which is commonly desig-
mated as a cold"
The best plan to pursue is to mod
ify 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 quinine and whisky, or
either alone. The best method to
pursue is to first relax the patient
and start all the seeretive organs
into great activity. This is &C
complished by rest in a warm and
unchanging temperature, so that the
skin may do it's full share of the
work This work can be augmented
by hot baths, foot baths, tub or
Turkish, and the use of large, hot,
non-stimulating drinks, such as
lemonade mot sweet, various teas
or plenty of water slipped slowly.
But little medicine is used in this
stage of the attack, and that only
to increase the activity of those
two great eXcretory organs, the kid
neys and the bowels. The food
taken at this time should be the
least possible in both quantity and
quality that will satisfy the patient.
1t would be better if none were taken
for at least tWenty-four hours.
There is no danger of starvation or
undue weakness following a vol
untafy fast of a day or two.
Never urge patient who has pre-
viously been we'll to take food dur
the first two or three days of an
acute inf1ammatory trouble. At the
end of this time the active symptoms
will have subsidized if the above
course has been pursued, and then a
gradual return to the ordinary food
may be permitted to take place in a
few days more. Stimulants are
never needed, except where there is
debility or a tardy cOnvalescence.
Fresh colds" and zone cold on top
of another" are usually the result
of undue haste to return to the Ordi-
nary modes of living.
Prevention is better than cure, so
let US see what can be done to pre-
vent taking. cold. First, avoid all
excess of food, especially meats and
sweets. If the appetite is strong let
vegetables and fruit make up the
bulk of food taken. Do not use tea
or coffee, as they retard tissue
change and the excretion of waste.
Use plenty of good, clear, soft water
at least from three to four tum-
blers a day. Take plenty of out
door exercise, so as to use up all
surplus food. A sustained effort of at
least thirty minutes a day at such
exercise as vigorous walking, or its
equivalent, will do wonders in puri-
flying and balancing the circulation
of the blood. A daily cold or tepid
sponge bath, followed by brisk
rundown. will help mnch in increas-
ing the skin. and making it respond
more quickly to sudden changes of
temperature. Wool next to the
skin, or next best, over thin gauze,
is absolutely necessary for those who
easily take cold.
Breathing through the nose must
also be insisted upon; mouth-breath-
ing being a very frequent cause of
tonsilitis and sore throat. Some
times surgical interference is neces-
sary to make nose-breathing a sue
cess. If these directions are lived
up to, colds" will be few and far be-
tween, and chronic catarrhs and
large tonsils will be less prevalent.