The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-27

active, because they are not under these circumstances very virulent, and because the resisting powers of the body are efficient Now if this be lowered these germs attack and become active and hearty, and therefore virulent producing their specific, special diseases, and some of them simply a common cold The germs producing this cold at once be- come stouter and more active and if con- veyed to another may communicate the cold Therefore. common colds are catching, not from the cold, but from the infectious germs producing them.
 Nature and Location of Common Colds ''The essential nature is catarrhal inflammation attended by watery, mucous, muco-purulent or purulent dis charge. In these discharges are the in- fecting germs which may be communi- cated to others. This catarrhal inflamma- tion is confined to the nose. throat ton sils, soft palate, Adams apples, wind pipe and larger bronchial tubes. If it extends deep down into the smallest bron- chial tubes and air cells there is then @broncho-pneumonia. The cavities in the upper jaws over the eyes and the middle ear may become involved. It may be confined to one or two of these places or involve them all. Hence the symp- toms may be a mere watering at the nose
 
 in upper jaws, pain in ear, sore throat, watery and red eyes, hoarseness and cough, usually ushered in by a slight chill. which is not attributed to the cold or wetting, but to the infection.
 Prevention
 The predsposing causes should be avoided The proper hygiene as to cloth ing, food housing, ventilation, etc, should be observed.
 Get away from the Idea of catching colds from the mere cold. Keep the body comfortably warm. and it does not matter how cold the air is. Fresh air and plenty of it. Remember that those ex- posed to the severest cold, that is low temperature. Arctic explorers. sailors, etc, never have cold if properly clothed and well fed Do not get within sneezng or coughing distance of person with a cold Do not kiss except upon the hand or forehead and that only when the hand is extended and clean, or on the forehead between breaths Reciprocal, inspiratory mouth kissing should be avoided. except after thorough scrubbng with soap and water, and then only through sterile cotton batting. There would not be much danger in kissing after these precautions, but when they are employed. kissing would probably be left off, which is after all what Is best an9 therefore advised where either party has cold. Spoons, cups, towels, hand kerchiefs. etc, used by person with colds should not be used by others until sterilzed.
 When person has a cold he ought to go to bed and stay there for two or three days. That would cure him, and pre- vent him from communicating it to oth- CTS. Common colds are contagious and therefore may be communicated from one to another The spread of colds through the family, school and even the entire community is thus explained. Weather conditions-cold, wet. etc.-only predis- pose the entire community. Babies and old people should be protected from these weather conditions, not by a stlfling air, but by clothing and warmth.
 Tn next bulletin lobar pneumonia will be discussed.
 "R. M. CUNNINGHAM, M. D.,
 City Health Officer