The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1922-04-08
HOW NOT TO CATCH COLD AND HOW TO MINI
MIZE ITS EFFECTS WHEN CAUGH
BY S. ADOLPHUs kNoPF, M. D.,
New York.

EVERYBODY knows what a cold is by its Effects but perhaps lot everybody
L knows that it is due o a germ sometimes called micrococcus catarrhais
through tiny dropets or sprays. The cold may develop at once o. is quite
possible that we also carryt the germs for some time within is. When or
system is rendered less resistant by chi1s, overeatfne, OF Incorporate acts
of some kind or other, or by being badly nourished or overworked, these
have a chance to multiply and then produce the symptoms of a cold
Of a careless sneezer, cougher, splitter or excited thker who expeLs small
particles of saliva (dronets) when speaking. If one is on familiar terms
a handkerchief or at least holding the hand before the mouth during a
socaned dry cough, which is in reality never dry, for droplets are expelled
whenever there is a cough.
The Individual who expectorates should, of curse, always try to deposit his
sputum in n receptacle (sphtoon, cheese cloth, or handkerchie) when indoor.
subways, the dangers of becoming infected by others Will the catarrh germs o
course always exists.
What can W e do to protect ourselves by making or system less sus
cepnble when we are exposed? 1t must be remembered that when W e are in
good health, the germs of a cold coming from oe afflicted with the disease
have little effect on u.s. nr will those which may Turk within us have much
chance to multiply and do harm. In the healthy individual the white blood
corpusdes in or blood stream take car o the invading microbe. They
swallow 1T; hence the mar "phagocytes' Thus the best way to protect
oneself from catching colo is to keep in the best physical ondndon.
In order to make the body resistant to contracting colds, breathe Is much
good, pure air as possible Ill the time, breathing quietly and deeply, pardcu
larly when outofdoors. When indoors try to be in a well ventilated room
Whenever convenient, take special breathing exercise every hour or two
raising and rolling the shoulders upward and backward during the act of a
slow and deep inhalation, retaining the air for about ) seconds while holding
the shoulders backward. then exhaIlng a little mor rapidly than it took for
the inhalation, during which act the shoulders mov forward and downward
Accustom the body to a daily application If cold water in the form of a
plunge, shower bath, or a cold sponge. One unaccuStoned to the use of cold
water must of course begin gradually This AN best be done by standing
in water at a temperature Of about 1867 f. and squeezing out "A sponge soaked
in cold water at a temperature Of So Owe the back of the neck, in front of the
neck, and owe the left and right shoulder, 10 that the whole body receives
the ablution, the head remaining dry. Should the individual not react, that
is to say, feel warm after the bath, he should return to Il warm bed for a few
moments. In a few days reduce The temperature OF the cold water to S0'
then to 7', until he comes down gradually to 40, which is the average
temperature as it comes from the faucet.
The judicious use of cold water, is just Indicated, is the best means
to guard the system against what is commonly called catching cold" The
regular, hi skin m%e resistant and thu whole system 'ss susceptible to
chins.
Besides the external use of cold water, always bear in mind that the
drinking OF W. to six glasses of cold water Il day between meals, viii
materially help in the preservation of good health. The consdpated individual
produces a autointoxicaton, that is % say creates a poison in his system
which renders him below par and more susceptible to the invasion of the
germs If common colds.