Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-18

nnts might be thoroughly satisfactory. For
my own part colds are almost unknown TO
me since have made the backbone Of my
diet-not flesh foods. for I never eat them
but 9roteid.
Many starchy foods tend oward acid
fermentatioa. not only because they are
eaten without their natural accompani-
ments. t. e., that which nature supplies
with the -four IN the grain, but also because
bread is frequently raised by means OF
chemicals, and these chemicals tend toward
the fever Of fermentation. The inorganic
salts seem scarcely profitable TO the
human system. Besides this both meat and
ordinary hne -four are eonstipating In their
effects.
II 10 necessary, above all. for him who
has to prevent or cure a cold TO get rid
OF constipation. II air-raised whole wheat
bread or biscuits can be eaten. then II Is
probable that the bowels will work freely;
or fruits can be eaten, or proper exercises
can be taken. But constipation must some-
how be removed.
Light in Plenty f. eeded
The next means is light. 1t is probable
that, IL the whole body were allowed SUM-
cient light. colds would be unknown. DR..
Forbes Winslow and Sir James Wyiie. late
physician to the emperor Of Russia, and
many other physicians. all emphasize the
Importance OF light. The last Of these
authorities calculated the effects Of light
in the St. Petersburg hospitals. He found
that the number Of patients cured In rooms
which were properly lighted was three
times greater than the number cured IN
dark rooms. II natural light cannot be
obtained. then electric ligit is good for the
body. At any rate. the unde~ 2thing should
be white, and certainly not Black, which
lets In very few OF the rays. Every morn
ing and every evening there should be q
fght-an air bath, with exercise and brisk
friction.
Air is Of Importance. The whole body
should breathe as often as possible daily.
In Germany the air cure alone has for
some decades been employed in curing con-
sumption and nervousness. There is no
fear of a chill II only massage and brisk
movement be insisted upon.
Deep breathing will also help to keep
the body warm. 1t should form the basis
Of national education. At present not one
word is ever said about 1t in an ordinary
school. 1t should always be through the
nose. The nose passage must be clear
at all costs, even II an operation be neces-
sary.
Such are a few Of the cures for colds; a
few out of very many. No single drug can
be recommended; no single drug would be
advised by the majority Of doctors; no
single drug has stood the test Of ten years
experience, although It is possible that, in
some cases, a drug may restore the upset
equilibrium of the system.
A cold seems to be an attempt OF the
tiny lives within us-we have myriRds of
lent get rid OF some mischief, to get
rid Of the results OF mistakes that we have
made. II the skin will not throw of the
trouble, then the nose and the mouth will
have to do extra work in the republic Of
the body. But the root Of the mischief is
generally In the stomach. The draft on
which we lay the blame, or the wet feet,
perhaps, are only the match that lights the
IRE; the IRE has been already laid ready
for lighting by errors Of diet. l~aziness, etc.
Even slow eating and mastincation Of food
might by itself be suficient to prevent any
cold; even deep. slow. full breathing
through the nose might be sufficient; even
cleansing, followed by invigorating water
t~reatments, with rubbings and exercise,
might be sufncient; 10 fact there are
numerous avenues to immunity. We must
never imagine that the draft or the wet
feet can ever be by themselves the real
and vital cause. They never light the FIRE
nor Ito carry out the metaphor) help 70
burn up any refuse.
We, for our part. must not stop nature
In getting rid of her cloggIness; rather W.
must help her. we must add no more
poisons and we must expel those which are
already within us. And the channels Of
expulsion are surely obvious.
EUsTAoE MILES.