Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-12-06
(BY S. ApoLPHUS KoPF, NJ.
NEW YORK;


Everybody knows what a cold is
by its effects. but perhaps not
everybody knows that it is due to
a germ sometimes called micro
coccus-c atarrhalis. We may get
this germ from the careless cough
er, sneezer or excited talker
through tiny droplets or sprays.
The cold may develop at once, or
it is quite possible that we also
carry the germs for some time
within us. When our system is
rendered less resistant by chills,
over eating or incorporate acts of
some kind or other, or by being
badly nourished or overworked,
these germs have chance to null
tiply and then produce the Symp-
toms Of cold.
! To prevent infection it Is, OF
course, best TO avoid the close
proximity OF ? careless sneezer,
cougher, splitter or excited talker,
who expels small particles OF sa-
liva( droplets) when speaking. If
one is on familiar terms with the
individual he can advise caution,
such as Sneezing or coughing in a
handkerchief, or at least holding
the hand before the mouth during
a so-called dry cough, which is in
reality never dry, for droplets are
expelled whenever there is a cough
The individual who eXpectorates
should, of course. always try to
deposit his sputum in a receptacle
(spittoon, cheese cloth or hand
kerchieD when indoors and in the
gutter when out-of doors, In
crowded assemblies. street cars and
subways, the danger. of becoming
infected by others with the ca
tarrh germs of course always exists.
Self-protection Measures.
What can we do TO protect our
selves by making our system less
susceptible when we are exposed +?
1t must be remembered that
when we are in good health the
germs of cold coming from one
afflicted with the diseases have
little effect on us, nor will those
which may Turk within us have
much chance to multiply and do
harm, In the healthy individual
the white blood corpuscles In our
blood stream take care OF the In
vading microbe They swallow It.
hence the name. "phagocytes."
Thus the best way to protect one
self from catching cold is to keep
in the best physical condition.
In order to make the body re-
sistant to contracting colds breathe
as much good, pure air as possible
all the time, breathing quietly and
deeply particularly when out OF
doors. When indoors try to he in
we'll ventilated room. Whenever
convenient take special breathing
exercises every hour or two, rails
ing and rolling the shoulders up
ward and backward during the act
of slow and deep inhalation, re-
tanning the air for about five sec
onds while holding the shoulders
backward, then eXhaling a little
more rapidly than it took for the
inhalation. during which act the
shoulders move forward and down.
ward. ..
Accustom the body to daily
application of cold water in the
form of a plunge, shower bath or
a cold sponge. one unaccustomed
to the use of cold water must of
course begin gradually. This can
best be done by standing in water
at temperature of about 105 de-
grees f. and squeezing out a sponge
soaked in cold water at a temper
allure of IS degrees over the back
of the neck, In front of the neck,
and over the left and right should
er, so that the whole body receives
the ablution, the head remaining
dry. Should the individual not
react, that is to say, feel warm afr,
ter the bath, he should return to
war bed for a few minutes, In a