The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-02-16
Medical Association Tells
How To Treat Ailment
est. Louis Post-Dispatch)

est. Louis Post-Dispatch)
While it is asserted by some that
acute colds are always due to germs
of some kind it is conceivable that a
too dry atmosphere, which is the con-
dition in so many houses today, may
SO irritate or congest the nostrils as to
allow the least irritant to cause at first
simple inflammation Of the mucous
membrane, which congested area may
later pick up and harbor, or cease to
kill, germs.
1t seems to be an established fact
that good outdoor air does not predis-
pose to cold as much as indoor air,
and it is a fact that persons whose oc-
cupation is indoors are more suscepti-
ble to colds than those whose occupa-
ton is outdoors. Whether or not ev-
cry cold is due to germ, chilling,
whether indoors or outdoors, certain.
ly predisposes to colds. If the mucous
membrane of the nose is congested it
more readily becomes inflamed by ir-
ritation or by germs.
Some persons cannot be exposed to
single draft on any part of the body
without an acute coryza (cold in the
head) starting. Other persons who do
not have this susceptibility may be-
come chilled, may be subjected to vio-
lent cold, damp winds, and may even
get wet and still never develop nasal
catarrh.
1t should be the object of every
mother, nurse, family physician, school
teacher, medical inspector, Board of
Education and Board Of Health to in
augurate every means possible to pre-
vent colds; that is, to develop the re-
sisting power Of the individual; to
see that the child is properly clothed;
to see that the house and school-room
air is as free as possible from dust
and germs, and that it contains the
proper amount of moisture.
The first step is to ascertain if the
child breathes properly through its
nostrils. Adenoids and greatly enIarg-
ed tonsils should be surgicaly treated
If child is underfer. he must receive
more food. If he is anemic, he must
get fresh air, good food and iron. Any
chronic disease must be discovered.
Preventive measures consist of
proper bathing to keep the skin in
good condition; proper clothing, de-
pending ON the region, season and ex-
posure; proper heating and ventila-
tion of living rooms, bedrooms and
buildings in which persons are en-
ployed and proper heating and ven
tilation of the schoolrooms. A child
may be overclothed for play and at
the same time underclothed for sitting
in cool rooms. The child should be
very warmly dressed if he attends an
open-air or open-window school in the
cold seasons. These schools are
among the best means of preventing
coryza, sore throats and coughs.
The too severe exposure of young
children and babies to dampness and
winds is inexcusable, and does not in
crease their resistance against catch
ing cold. Often it precipitates serious
conditions.
Any person VINO has a tendency to
nasal or pharyngeal colds should not
suffer undue exposure at night. Too
many open windows may cause too
much direct draft over the face. Fresh
air sleeping should be governed by
common sense. Cold daily sponging
of the child's face, neck and chest, fol-
lowed by quick friction. is an excel
lent means of decreasing the likeli-
hood of catching cold or becoming
chilled Older persons may take cold
showers or cold plunges, in the morn
ing, If it is advisable in individual
cases.
Children especially should not be
subjected to unnecessary infection by
being taken into crowded cars, stores
or assemblages. School children with
acute colds either should be sent home
or should be taught to prevent con-
taminating the atmosphere with in
fection. If case Of acute coryza oc-
ours in family, the family should
understand that it is contagious, and
the sick should be isolated from the
we'll as effectively as practicable.
The family should also be taught
that the exchange of shandkerchiefs
and the use of the same towels, when
one member of the family has a cold
or sore throat, is inexcusable. The
nasal and throat excretions should be
received into paper handkerchiefs or
pieces of cheesecloth and then should
be burned.
A cold, like any other acute infiam-
nation or the mucous membrane, is
diviSiOna into stages the first being