The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1895-09-14
CATCHING COLD.
l Result of Physical Condition and to Be
Treated Accor1incly.

"a
Myown belief is that the condition
that makes n susceptible to cold is
usually occasioned by the surplus of
waste material, the result of over
feeding or of bad digestion, and that
this effete matter, in its cndeavor to
be eXcreted, irritatg5 the lining men,
brane of the breathing tract, also
believe that, because these various
forms of cold ire most common in
persons who T subject to some of
the various forms of rheumatism or
govt, 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 heterogeneous 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 e~xcretion upon the
kidneys. When the work for these
organs becomes excessive, then the
waste accumulatos 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 topursue is to modi-
fly the condition and gradually con-
duct the case to recovery. This is
safer and better than the usual at
tcmpts 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 a 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 swect), vari-
Gus teas or plenty Of water slipped
slowly. But little medicine is needed
III this stage Of the attack, and that
only to increase the activity of those
other two great e~Zcretory 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. 1t would
be better if non were taken for at
least 81 hours. There is no danger of
starvation or undue weakness fol
lowing a voluntary fast Of a day Or
two.
Never urge a 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 timo the active symptoms
will have subsidized if the above
course has been pursued, and then a
gradual return to tho ordinary food
may be permitted to take place in q
few days more. Stimulants are never
needed, except where there is mark
ed debility or a tardy oonvalescence.
fresh colds" and lone cold on toI
of another" are usually the resultoi
undue haste to return to the ordinary
modes of living.
Prevention is better than cure, sc
lot us see what can be done to pre-.
vent taking cold. First, avoid all ex.
cesses of food, especially meats and
sweets. If the appetite is strong, lei
vegetables and fruits make up the
bulk of food taken. Do not use ties
or coffee, as it retards tissue change
and the excretion of waste. Use
plenty of clear soft water-at least
from three to four tumblers q day
Take plenty of outdoor exercise, sc
as to use up all surplus food. A sus
tanned effort of at least 30 minutes E
day at such exercise as vigorou:
walking, or its equivalent, will dc
wonders in purifying and balancing
the circulation of the blood. A daily
cold or tepid sponge bath, followed
by a brisk rundown, will help mucl
in increasing the healthy action o.
the skin and making i~trespond more
quickly to sudden changes of tenn
perature. Wool next to the skin, or
next best, over thin gauze, is abso
lutoly necessary for those who easil,
!, take cold.
Breathing through the ose mus
also be insisted upon, mouth breath
ing being a very frequent 0
tonsilitis and sore throat. Sometime:
! surgical interference is necessary t.
make nose breathing a success. l
, these directions are lived up to
colds will be few and far between
: and chronic catarrhs and large ton
!, sis will be less prevalent. -Dr. c
, Nj. Setter in Household News,
Did as He Was Told.