Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-03
Prevention of Colds.
iaEET A COLD FACE TO FACE AND WIN
OUT IN THE END.

Now that the season for colds, coughs,
and neuralgia pains is with US, the care
full man is on the lookout for such pre-
ventive measures as will guard him
against the eager and nipping air that
may prepare the way for winters sick
ness. 1t is the proper adaptation to his
environment that must settle the ques-
ton of his immunity against the ever
threatening weather ailments.
With the changing climate of our
northern ATTITUDES the task is often q
difficult ono. Thus a sudden drop in
temperature is often followed by a
veritable epidemic of catarrhal troubles.
The ordinary phenomenon of cold is
explained by a rapid cooling of the sur
face whereby the superficial circulation
is temporarily arrested and internal con-
gestions are produced. The primary
effect is generally upon the mucous
membrane of the nose, throat, and upper
air passages.
In consequence of this revulsi0n chilli.
ness, lassitude, headache, sneezing, and
cough follow in turn, and the patient be-
comes generally miserable. Then, when
it is too late, he doubts his resisting
powers against draughts, cold rooms,
undue exposure and the like, and is
ready to resign himself to the coddling
process for the remainder of the winter
Strange as it may appear, it is this mis-.
guided carefulness that explains most OF
the chronic catarrhs of the season.
First on the list of such causative
agencies are our overheated and ILL
ventilated apartments. Eminent medi.
cal authorities maintain that the sudden
change from an over-warmed room to
the cold air outside has more to do with
the production of cold than all Other
supposed agencies combined. The all
passages, after having been dried, and
so to speak, baked in our living rooms,
are not only peculiarly sensitive to cold
but are in a condition least liable to re-
sist the influences of the change.
The same principle might apply tc
overheating the body by too much cloth
ing and enfeebling the skin by confined
perspiration. The exact contrary condi,
ton results from inurement to low
temperature and the creation of habit
of natural resistance. The man who il
accustomed to bare his throat to the
blast never suffers from tonsilitis, ant
the one who is used to the cold morning
plunge never knows a shiver, even II
zero weather.
The real moral is to face the cold will
bold front, to conquer rather than u
shrink from it and be overcome in thu
end. The hardened man makes his Skin
an ever ready adjuster to all variation
of temperature. The feebler one can ap
proach such a state of protection anC
may in the end equal it.
A like principle applies to exercise
With ordinary garments the well indi
yidual never suffers from cold while il
motion, but the one who sits or lies in {
cold room or in draught from opei
door or window is sure to become
victim of his indiscretion.
These are simple enough rules in them
selves, but few think of applying then
to individual needs until reminded O.
their lost opportunities.
The worst of all is that cold taken ir
early winter is apt to linger and thu
prepare the system for even more dis
tressing ailments. The very lack o
vital resistance that invites the first at
tack of catarrh is apt to intensity tn
predisposition to subsequent colds. Thi
in great measure explains the preva
lence of pneumonia during the inclemen
season. The microbe never attacks
healthy membrane, but lies in wait TO
the local debilitation which furnishe
the soil for the seed.
No more forcible argument could b
used in favor of preventive measure
against the slightest respiratory troubl
that may show itself at this time. Moth
ing lowers the vital resistance agains
all winter diseases more than the initia
tive and apparently insignificant cold
New York Herald.