The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-18
PREVENTING FALL COLDS
Absurdity OF an Old superstIsior-nov
60 Keep Well.

Some people seem to think that taey
have 10 have az 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 10
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 burst with
the first frost" or II must have my
hands frosted every winter" or II
must be uncomfortable because there
is change OF season"
A cold is Just as abnormal, as n head
ache or toothache. and is condition
20 be prevented rather than remedied.
prevented" the person with the annual
cold will answer Goodness knows l
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 ana throat
SO that they are moist with perspra-
tion and sensitive TO every breath OF
air. and the other ~ 10 forget that
cold bath is as much luxury in
winter as in summer, and much more
importan. 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. IL one has
plenty of fresh air and If clothes are
at once warm and light il 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. II should be.
OF necessity, taken in warm room. Ii
the bath room or bedroom is not
heated then use small gas or oil
stove that will heat \ small room in a
few minutes.
Fill a tub half full OF distinctly cold
water. very cold indeed when you get
used to the shock. and IL you have
sufficient reaction. step at once into
the tub. kncel, 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
half a tub OF water. The borax water
will not only render water more cleans
ing. but actually contains properties
that are stimulating to the skin, aud
so. beneficial TO the circulation.
II there is no tub in the house, there
the cold bath must be sponge. Add
one teaspoonful OF bcTax 20 a pail of
cold water, rub dry as the bath pro.
crosses and use the alcohol over chest
and throat.
Where the cold plunge is found lit
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 exccllaut plan TO do breath
Ing exercise while the bath room Is
heating. and the tub filling. Throw a
wooden 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 brcaths
through the nose and exhale the air as
slowly as possible through the mouth.
Five minutes Of this breathing in
pure air will freshcn the lungs. start
the blood moving briskly through the
veins. and thoroughly prepare one TO
face a cold plunge without shudder.
and TO get full benefit from il.