The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-03
PREVENTING FALL COLDS.
AbsurdIty Of an Old superstition-How
10 Keep Well.

Some people seem 10 think that they
have to have al least one heavy cold
every fall. They accept the idea as
they accept unpleasant November
winds, os slippery payements or cold
rooms. Especially Americans seem to
be fatalists about taking colds
And it is really a perfect y absurd
attitude of mind. One might as well
say, "Oh, the pipes have burst with
the first FROST or Il must have my
hands frosted every winter" or Il
must be uncomfortable because there
is change of season"
A cold is just as abnormal as a head
ache or toothache, and is a condition
to be prevented rather than remedied.
Il don't see how it's going 10 be
prevented" the person with the annual
cold will answer Goodness knows j
bundle up enough"
of course he does, and that's one OF
the troubles. In fact, there are TWO
sure ways of getting a fall cold. one
IS bundling up the shoulders and throat
so that they are moist with perspra
ton and sensitive to every breath or
air. and the other is to forget that 4
cold bath is as much a luxury in
winter as in summer. and much more
important to good health in cold
weather.
1t stands to reason that the return
of winter will bring draughts and cold
winds and uneven temperatures. and
there are naturally ways provided for
meeting these difficulties. II ones
circulation is stimulated II one has
plenty of fresh air and If clothes are
at once warm and light it is possible
to entirely avoid colds. unless there is
catarrhal or tubercular weakness.
First there is the important task OF
stimulating the circulation, which can
be done by cold baths. proper breath
ing and exercise, especially trampins.
The cold bath is the beginning Of good
health in frosty weather. 1t should be.
of necessity, taken in a war'p room. II
the bath room OF bedroom is not
heated then use a small gas OF oil
stove that will heat small room in
few minutes.
FIJI 4 tub half full Of distinctly cold
water. very cold indeed when you get
used to the shock. aud il you have
sufficient reaction. step at once into
the tub. kneel. dash the water about
the throat and chest, and the waist,
and then stand, quickly splash over
the hips and legs.
Dry quickly with a crash towel and
rub with alcohol.
To insure the water quickly opening
the pores. and starting the circulation,
il must be soft. The best method to
soften any water is by using a little
pure borax, four teaspoonfuls to a
half n tub Of water. The borax water
will not only render water more cleans
ing. but actually contains properties
that are stimulating to the skin, and
so. beneficial to the circulation.
If there is no tub in the house there
the cold bath must be a sponge. Add
one teaspoonful Of boIaN to pail OF
cold water. rub dry as the bath pro
crosses and use the alcohol over chest
and throat '--'-~r
Where the cold plunge is found a liz
tie too severe at the start. it is good
to begin by standing at the edge OF
the tub. splashing the water over the
neck and arms. drying the upper part
of the body and then TO plunge in one
leg at time. This will prevent chill
and insure nothing but benefit from
bath.
1t is an excellant plan to do breath
ing exercise while the bath room is
heating, and the tub filling. Throw a
woolen bath gown around you, stand
erect near an open window, hold the
chest high. the spine straight the hips
back. and draw in long. slow breaths
through the nose and exhale the air as
slowly as possible through the mouth
Five minutes of this breathing in
pure air will freshen the lungs, start
the blood moving briskly through the
veins, and thoroughly prepare one to
face a cold plunge without a shudder.
and to get full benefit from it.