The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-08
HOW TO AVOID COLDS.
Cold sponging, Dry Rubs and Keep
Moving When Wet or Chilled.

Habitual colds are due to an ill-kept
skin on the outside and dyspeptic mu-
cous membrane on the inside, the re-
suits of indigestion or constipation,
coupled with carelessness.
Cold water. proper food and common
sense are the foundation upon which a
bath, one to three minutes long, with
a brisk dry rub Immediately before and
after, is excellent-usually all that is
necessary to keep the cutaneous circula-
ton alive and the skin reactive to sud
den changes OF temperature.
For those accustomed TO cold water,
tolerance can be gained in three weeks
time by the use of water at any COM
Portable temperature, making it one de-
gree colder each day. until it can be
employed without dread as cold as it
will run Salt may be added to the
water for its stimulating effect, or alco-
hol; witch hazel is also useful.
Cold water intelligently used does not
steal vitality, but fosters it It stimu-
lates the nerves that control the ex-
panSion and contraction OF the blood
vessels and regulates the cutaneous cir
culation. The dry rub is a fair substi-
tute for those who cannot take the
cold sponge @e
Hot water may be employed once or
twice a week when a full bath is taken
and soap used. This bath should end
with z. cold sponge
For cold feet, wading ankle deep in
cold water IN the bath tub for one or
found effective. II reaction does not
set in after brisk rubbing, wrap the
feet in flannel; they will soon thaw out
Do not use hot water bottles or other
debilitatng forms of heat. Cold hands
may be treated on the same principle
but they have to be kept in cold water
usually a much longer time.
Some colds are due to micro-organ-
isms that attack the air passages: but
this is much less likely to happen in
a person whose powers of resistance
have been raised by dietetic and hygi-
snic measures.
If colds result from dust in the nasal
passages. as sometimes happens. the nos
trns may be washed out regularly with
some warm alkaline solution. and with as
much satisfaction as one brushes the teeth.
This is properly part of the morning
toilet. for those at least who suffer from
catarrn in the atmosphere of great cities
Operative interference on the nose and
throat may be required for deformities CT
diseased tissues which act as exciting
cause.
| The inside and outside skins of the body
are so much in sympathy and so indepen-
| dent on each other that any disorder OF
/ the one is sure TO react upon the other
and this is especially true of the altmen-
/ tary canal and the skin as a whole. Over
eating when tired, overeating in connection
with overexertion- indulging in things
! OF colds: for taking cold is ordinarily
nothing but a successful attack from with
out: an attack that succeeds simply be
cause the skin. which resists is not prop
/ erly supported from within. or lacks tone
itself
| one should keep moving when wet Of
chilly, and not stand on a street corner o.
/ elsewhere without taking deep breaths
Lungs used in this way act as a pump (
drive the blood along. The practice, witt
the others named, will reduce to shadow
welcome guest periodically.-Youth's Com
! panien-