Warren sheaf., 1905-11-23
The Prevention of s'Colds.


coughs and neuralgic pains is with
US, the careful man is on the lookout
for such preventive measures as
will guard him against the eager
and nipping air" that may prepare
the way for winters sickness. It
is the proper adaptation to his en-
vironment that must settle the
question OF his immunity against
the ever threatening weather all
ments.
With the changeable climate of
our northern ATTITUDES the task is
often difficult one. Thusa sudden
drop in temperature is often follow
ed by a veritable epidemic of ca
tarrhal troubles.
The ordinary phenomenon of a
cold is explained by rapid cool
ing of the surface whereby the
superficial circulation is temporarily
arrested and internal congestions
are produced. The primary effect
is generally upon the mucous mem
branes OF the nose, throat, and up-
per air passages. In consequence
OF this revulsion chilliness, lassi-
tude, 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 re-
mainder of the winter. Strange as
it may appear, it is this misguided
carefulness that explains most of
the chronic catarrhs of the season.
First on the list OF such causative
agencies are our overhead and i'll
ventilated apartments. Eminent
medical authorities maintain that
the sudden change from an over
warmed room to the cold air outside
has more to do with the production
of colds than all other supposed
agencies combined. The air pas
sages, after having been dried, and,
so to speak. baked in our living
rooms, are not only peculiarly SEN
sitive to cold, but are in a condition
least liable to resist the influences
of the change.
The same principle might apply
to overheating the body by
too much clothing and enfeebling
the skin by confined perspiration.
The exact contrary condition results
from inurement to low temperature
and the creation of habit OF natural
resistance. The man who is accus-
toned to bare his throat to the blast
never suffers from tonsilitis, and
the one who is used to the cold
morning plunge never knows shi-
yer, even in zero weather. The
real moral is to face the cold with a
bold front, to conquer rather than
shrink from it and be overcome in
the end. The hardened man makes
his skin an ever-ready adjuster to
all variations OF temperature. The
feebler one can approach such a
state OF protection and may in the
end equal it.
| A like principle applies to excer-
else. With ordinary garments the
well individual never suffers from
cold while in motion, but the one
who sits or lies in cold room or in
a draught from open door or win
dow is sure to become victim of
his indiscretion.
These are simple enough rules in
themselves, but few think of apply
ing them to individual needs until
reminded of their lost opportunities.
The worst of all is that cold
taken in early winter is apt to ling
er and thus prepare the system for
even more distressing ailments.
The very lack of vital resistance
that invites the first attack of
catarrh is apt to intensity the pre-
disposition to subsequent colds.
This in great measure explains
the prevalence OF pneumonia during
the inclement season. The microbe
never attacks healthy membrane,
but lies in wait for the local de-
bilitation which furnishes the soil
for the seed.
No more forcible argument could
be used in favor OF preventive
measures against the slightest
roc <n,,1, II, <l.ox