Evening star., 1903-08-03
HOW TO AVOID COLDS.
Cold sponging, Dry Rubs and Keep
Moving When Wet or Chilled.


From the Youths Companion.
Habitual colds are due to an ill-kept skin
On the outside and dyspeptic mucous mem
branes on the inside. the result Of indges-
ton or constipation. coupled with careless
ness.
Cold water, proper food and common
sense are the foundations upon which a
cold cure must rest. A cold sponge 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 circulation alive and
the skin reactive to sudden changes of tenn
perature.
For those unaccustomed to cold water,
tolerance can be gained I'm three weeks
| time by the use Of water at any comfort
able temperature. making 1t one degree
colder each day, until 1t can be employed
without dread as cold as 1t will run. Salt
may be added to the water for Its stimulat-
ing effect, or alcohol; witch hazel Is also
useful.
Cold water intelligently used does not
steal vitality. but fosters 1t. 1t stimulates
the nerves that control the expansion and
contraction of the blood vessels and regu-
lates the cutaneous circulation. The cry
rub Is fair substitute for those who can
not take the cold sponge
Hot water may he employed once or twice
a week when a full bath Is taken and soap
used. This bath should end with Il cold
sponge.
For cold feet wading ankle deep In cold
water in the bath tub for one or two min
utes before retiring VIII be found effective.
If reaction does not set in after brisk rub
bing. wrap the feet in flannel; they will
soon thaw out. Do not use hot water bot
ties or other debilitating forms of heat.
Cold hands may be treated on the same
principle but they have to be kept in cold
water usually much longer time.
Some colds are due to micro organisms
that attack the air passages: but this is
much less likely to happen in person
whose powers Of resistance have been
raised by dietetic and hygienic measures.
If colds result from dust in the nasal
passages. sometimes happens. the nos
trils 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
catarrh in the atmosphere Of great cities.
Operative interference 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 80 much in sympathy and SO dependent
on each other that any disorder Of the Cne
| is sure to react upon the other. and this is
especially true Of the alimentary canal and
the skin as whole. Overeating when
tired. overeating in connection with over
exertion. indulging In things known to dis
agree are among the causes Of colds: for
| taking cold Is ordinarily nothing but suo-
cessful attack from without; an attack that
succeeds simply 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 street corner or
elsewhere without taking deep breaths. The
lungs used in this way act as pump to
drive the blood along. This practice with
the others named, will reduce to a shadow
the liability Of having to entertain this un-
welcome guest periodically.