Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-10
ABOUT CATCHING COLD.
The Use of Hot and Cold Water as . Preventive and n
 Remedy.

Habitual colds are due to an ill-kept skin on the outside and dyspeptic mu- cous membranes on the inside, the re- suit of indigestion or constipation, coupled with carelessness, says the Youths Companion.
 Cold water, proper food and com- mon sense are the foundations upon which cold-cure must rest. A cold sponge bath, one to three minutes long, with brisk, dry rub immediately be- fore and after, is excellent-usually all that is necessary to keep the cutaneous circulation alive and the skin reactive to sudden changes of Temperature.
 For those unaccustomed to cold wa ter, tolerance can be gained in three weeks time by the use of water at any comfortable temperature, making 1t one degree colder each day, until it can be employed without dread as cold as 1t will run. Salt may be added to the water for it's stimulating effect. or alcohol; witch-hazel Is also useful
 Cold water inteIligently used does not steal vitality, but fosters it. It stimulates the nerves that control the expansion and contraction of the blood-vessels and regulates the cu- taneous circulation. The dry rub is fair substitute for those who cannot take the cold sponge.
 Hot water may be employed once or twice week when full bath is taken and soap used. This bath should end with a cold sponge.
 For cold feet, wading ank1edeep in cold water in the bathtub for one or two minutes before retiring will be found effective If 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 hands may be treated on the same principle. but they have to be kept in the cold water, usually, 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 dietic and hygien- ic measures.
 If colds result from dust in the na- sal passages, as sometimes happens, the nostri1s may be washed out regular ly with some warm alkaline solution, and with as much satisfaction as one brushes the teeth. This is proper ly part of the morning toilet, for those at least who suffer from catarrh in the atmosphere of great cities. Op- erative interference on the nose and throat may be required for deformities or diseased tissues which act as an exciting cause.
 The inside and outside skins of the body are so much in sympathy and so dependent on each other that any dis order of the one is sure to react upon the other, and this is especially true of the alfmentary canal and the skin as whole. Overeating when tired, overeating in connection with over- exertion, indulging in things known to disagree, are among the causes of colds; for taking cold is ordinarily nothing but successful attack from without; an attack that succeeds sim ply because the skin, which resists, is not properly supported from within. or lacks tone itself.
 One should keep moving" when wet or chilly. and not stand on a street corner or elsewhere without taking deep breaths. The lungs used in this way act as a pump to drive the blood along. This practice, with the others named. will reduce to shadow the liability of having to entertain this unwelcome guest periodically.