The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-12

spray carrying with it untold numbers
Of these germs Is spread into the sur
rounding atmosphere to distance OF
several feet and may be easily taken into
the mouth and nose with the respired
air. More direct contact such as by
kissing, the common drinking cup, the
common roller towel, by pipes, toys, pen
ellis, fingers, food and other things which
have been contaminated by the mouth
and nose secretions OF person having II
cold may also carry the disease.
| 1t is an obligation on the part OF per-
sons having colds to see to il that they
do not spread these colds to somebody
| else. The person who neglects to cover
his nose and mouth when he sneezes and
coughs, the careless splitter, the person
who permits his germ laden discharges to
contaminate things which are going to
be handled by other people is menace
to the community. If such person
uses public swimming pools if he is not
amenable to reason and persists In dis
tributing his infection, he should be
avoided as spreader of pestilence.
A good deal has said about hardening
people SO that they will not contract
colds. There is an element of danger in
this since to expose a weak person to
the rigors OF cold baths and cold drafts
is apt to lower resistance, thus favoring
the very condition which it is desired to
avoid. At the same time it should not
be forgotten that the Arctic explorer does
not ordinarily have colds so long as he
stays out in the open and that it is not
the engineer and fireman in the cold,
drafty cab who have colds but those who
ride in the close, dusty, overheated
coaches behind. When all is said, it must
be admitted that dusty, unventilated
rooms perhaps play the greatest role in
producing colds.
Since colds are serious condition
they should be treated az such. A great
many people think that they have an in
fallable remedy for breaking up cold
This may be harmless in itself. but usual |
ly it is not and consists of a combination
of harmful drugs and alcohol, the latter |
usually preponderating. The sufferer /
takes these preparations in large guam |
titles and if he is strong enough he may |
survive them and eventually get the best i
OF his cold. Self medication or medica-
ton by unframed persons is always dan
gerous. 1t is especially dangerous to
those having colds and should always be /
scrupulously avoided. As rule, much
time. inconvenience and suffering will be
obviated by consulting an intelligent
physician promptly. II this is not prac
ticable brisk saline may be taken and
the patient put to bed. This gives his
body an opportunity to regain its vital
ity and at the same time isolates him
from other people. The sick room should
be well ventilated and the windows so
opened as to keep the air moving freely.
It Is also wise to moisten the air
little bit by putting pan of water on
he radiator or over the register or on
he stove. The handkerchiefs and bed
ling used by the patient should be ster
LIKED by boiling. Kissing. and the use
If drinking cups and towels, etc, in COM
non with other members of the house
lold should be forbidden. it being borne
n mind constantly that colds are infee
ious and readily spread from one person
o another.