Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-14
IA COLD AVOIDABLE
Not q Necessary Accompaniment to
the Chilly Weather OF
Fall.
METHODS OF PREVENTION
Net Too Much Clothing, Exercise
And Morning Cold
Plunge.

Some people seem to think that they
have to have at least one heavy cold
every fall They accept the idea as
they accept unpleasant November
winds. or slippery pavements or cold
rooms. Especially Americans seem to
be fatalists about taking colds.
And it is really a perfectly absurd
attitude of mind. One might as we'll
say, "Oh, the pipes have to burst with
the first frost" or Il must have my
hands frosted every winter or Il
must be uncomfortable because there
is a change of season.
A cold is just as abnormal as head
ache or tootbache. and is a condition
to be prevented rather than remedied.
Il don't see how it is going to be
prevented" the person with the annual
cold will answer. Goodness knows L
bundle up enough
OF course he does. and that is one
of the troubles. In fact, there arc two
sure ways of getting a fall cold; one
is bundling up the shoulders and throat
so that they are moist with perspira-
ton and sensitive to every breath OF
air. and the other is to forget that
cold bath is as much of a luxury in
winter as in summer, and much more
important to good health in cold
weather.
Ways to Meet Difficulties.
| 1t stands to reason that the return
of winter will bring draughts and
cold winds and uneven temperature,
and there are naturally ways provided
for meeting these difficulties. II ones
circulation is stimulated; if 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 tramping.
The cold bath is the beginning of good
health in frosty weather. 1t should be,
of necessity, taken in a warm room. If
the bathroom or bedroom is not heat
ed, then use a small gas stove that
will heat a small room in five minutes
Fill a tub half full of distinctly cold
water. very cold indeed when you get
used to the shock, and if you have suf
lflcient reaction, step at once in the
tub, kneel, dash the water about the
throat and chest, and the waist, then
stand, quickly splash over the hips and
legs
Dry quickly with crash towel anc
rub with alcohol.
To insure the water quickly opening
the pores and starting the circulation
it must be soft. The best method o.
softening any water is by using little
borax, four teaspoonfuls to half a tut
of water. The boraX water will no
only render water more cleansing, bu
actually contains properties that are
stimulating to the skin, and so bene
fetal to the circulation.
If there is no tub in the house, ther
the cold bath must be a sponge. ADD
one teaspoonful of boraX to a pail o
cold water. Grub dry as the bath pro
crosses and use the alcohol over ches
= and throat.
May Begin Gradually.
Where the cold plunge is found
little too severe at the start, it is gOot
) to begin by standing at the edge of tn,
( tub. splashing the water over the necl
{ and arms, drying the upper part of tn
{ body, and then to plunge in one leg a
I a time. This will prevent a chill an
- insure nothing but benefit from bath
{ 1t IS an excellent plan to do breath
ing exercise while the bathroom i
. heating and the tub filling Throw
. wooden bath gown around you, stan
, erect near an open window, hold tn
8 chest high, the spine straight. the hip
\ back, and draw in long, slow breath
through the nose and exhale the air a
: slowly as possible through the mouth
Five minutes of breathing in thi
: pure air will freshen the lungs. star
:, the blood moving briskly through tn
!. veins and thoroughly prepare one t
J. face a cold plunge without shudde
= and to get full benefit from it.