Semi-weekly herald., 1913-01-13
SOMETHING ABOUT cArARRH

oOM T. hl4Nu ADOtI SAi AIkRh.
Probably rs to so per cent of all
adults have, or at some time have
had catarrh. The percentafe is said
to be even greater in those living
within 200 miles of the Great Lakes.
II oten leaves train OF ssoraItions
such as deafness, mouth breathing,
bronchitis, stomach and bowel trou-
bles and even consumption.
Let us inquire into what catarrh
is and what causes it and then see
if the treatment won't naturally sug-
gest itself. The mucous membrane is
the skin or covering of The inner
surface of the nose, throat, bronchial
tubes, and other inner surfaces. 1t
secrets a fluid (mucus) which lubri-
cate and keeps its surface moist
When all organs of the bodyare work
ing normally, and the blood circulat-
ing to and from the skin as it should,
this secretion is not NOTICEABLE, but
let something happen to disturb this
equilibrium, such as draft of cold
air on the back of the nekk, or the
ankles, or going from hot, stuffy
room into the cold outdoor air, or
overlooking the stomachs-,&pd notice
how ozs.6ok ynnS begin te, tiase1sT .slr4i
have watery discharge from the
nose. We might speak Of this AS
acute catarrh.
The conditions that cause acute ca
tarrh, often repeated, cause chronic
catarrh. 1t hardly seems necessary
to mention it, but the same thing that
causes a cold will cause catarrh, and
the same precautions that you take
to avoid cold will protect you from
catarrh. The treatment, likewise, is
similar in both.
Catarrh is possible wherever there
is mucous membrane, but the par
ticular kind referred to here is of
the nose and throat. There are sew
eral causes-poorly ventilated and
overheated living and sleeping rooms,
improper clothing, Indigestion and con-
stipation, and undue exposure in cold,
wet weather-are some of them. No
matter what the cause is the mucous
membrane has become congested,
soft and flabby, allowing an unusual
flow of mucus. Now, if this excessive
discharge continues, it will after a
while become thick and viscid and
then dry and hard, is difficult to dis
loge and keeps the membrane in
famed. The nasal passages are clos
ed, or partly so, making it difficult
to breathe through them.
In beginning treatment, first look
to the skin and digestive organs. Un-
less these are set to working other
treatment will avail but little. Cleanse
the nasal passages, and keep them
clean, with some antiseptic solution,
or oily spray. Then begin the deep
breathing exercises with the deter
mination to keep them up.
If your arm becomes weak or flab-
by through disuse, how would you
strengthen it? Exercise it, wouldn't
you? Well, then, if you wish to
strengthen and tone up the weakened
mucous membrane Of your air pas
sages you must exercise them. The
only way to exercise them is to
breathe through them. Get out in
the fresh air, draw yourself up Ia
your full height, throw out your
chest, pull in your chin--and breathe
Breathe slowly and as deeply as yor
can. Hold your breath several counts
and exhale slowly; repeat severa
times. Do this two or three times
daily to begin with. After few day,
you can put more zest and energy
into the exercise. Keep it up day
after day and note the beneficial re
| suits.