The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-02-16

OF some Klnu IL Is cOIiCtlFdDIC tioS q
too dry atmoswhere, which is the con-
dition in so many houses today, may
so ~irritate or conSeSt the noStTliS as
to allow the lest irritant to cause at
first a simple Inflammation or the
mucous membrane, which congested
area may later pick up ana harpor,
or cease to kill, germs. says an ar
ticle in the st. Louis Post
1t seems to be an established fact
that good outdoor air does not predls-
pose to colds as much as indoor air,
and il is a fact that persons who's |
occupation is indoors are more SuS-
ceptible to odd than those whose oc-
cupation is outdoors. Whether or
not every cold is due to a germ,
chilling, whether indoors or outdoors,
certainly predisposes to colds. If the
mucous membrane Of the nose is con-
gested it more readily becomes in
TANNED by irritation or by germs.
Some persons cannot be exposed
to a single draft on any part of the
body without an acute coryza (cold
in the head) starting. Other persons
who do not nave this susceptibility
may become chilled, may be subjected
to violent cold, damp winds, and
may even get wet and still never de-
velop a 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 inaugurate every means pos
sible to prevent colds: that is. to de-
velop the resisting power of the in
~dividual: to see that the house and
school room air is as free as possible
from dust and germs. n that it
contains the proper amount of moist
ure.
The first step is to ascertain if the
child breaths properly through it's
nostrils. Adenoids and greatly en-
larged tonsils should be surgically
treated. If a child is underfed, 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-
ton of living rooms, bedrooms and
buildings in which persons are en-
ployed, and proper heating n ven
tilation of the school rooms. A child
may be overlooked for play and at
the same time underclothed for sit
ting 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 prevent
ing coryZa, sore threats and coughs.
The too severe exposure of young
children and babies to dampness anG
winds is ineXcusable. and does not in.
crease their resistance against catch
ing cold. Often it precipitates seri.
Gus conditions.
Any person who has a tendency to
nasal or pharyngeal colds should no
suffer undue exposure at night. To-
many open windows may cause too
much direct draft over the face
Fresh-air sleeping should be governed
by commo sense. Cold daily spong
ing of the child's face, neck and chest
followed by quick friction, is an ex
cellent means of decreasing the like
hhood Of catching cold or becOmin,
chilled. Older persons may take cole
showers or cold plunges, in the morn
ing. if it is advisable in individual
cases.
Children especially should not b
subjected to unnecessary infection b
being into crowded cars, store
or assemblages. School children wit
acute colds either should be sen
home or should be taught to preven
communicating the atmosphere wit
infection. If q case of acute coryz
occurs in q family, the family shoul
understand that it is contagious, an
the sick should be isolated from tn
well as effectively as practicable.
The family should also be taugf
vhat the exchange Of handkerchief
and the use of the same towels. whe
one member of the family has q col
or sore throat, is inexcusable. II
nasal and throat eXcretions should /
received into paper handkerchiefs {
pieces of cheesecloth and the
should be burned.
A cold, like any other acute inflan
nation of the mucous membrane,
Invisible into stages, the first beiT
a of congestion and dryness of tt
surface.
The next stage is the excretion
q more normal amount of mucou
The surface of the membranes b
comes moist and discomfort becom
less as the tissues become less CO.
gested.
The advisable method of cure is
reduce increased temperature,
produce purging and to take Dreca