The Monett times., 1922-01-06
COLDS IN CHILDREN

DR.. F. F. Woodruff, Denver, Colo.
We're all well, thank you, except
Susie has cold. How are your
folks ?"
We're all right; of course Mary
and Jimmie have colds, too. 1t seems
like they've all got to have them."
The above fragment of a telephone
conversation is typical of many that
the weary wires will be transmitting
from now on through the winter. The
mothers of Susie and Mary and Jim
mie would do well to pay little
more attention to these colds, instead
Of regarding them as inevitable dis
pensations. Right here is where some
care would prevent. A child's cold is
important enough to be attended to.
1t is not dispensation of providence;
it is sign of ignorance and neglect.
The "Cold State"
Usually the child that takes a cold
has been prepared for it by over
feeding, too many clothes, and poor
ventilation. When a child is over
fed, the body-tissues fail to burn up
some of the food intake; the balance
clogs the system and impedes its
functions; and constipation results.
Constipation poisons the body; all the
body organs become sluggish. One
place where this shows is in the
mucous membrane, which becomes
congested, or over-distended with
slowly moving blood. Accompany,
ing this congestion is a lowered re-
sistance to germ activity. Wien the
child gets in this condition, he is n
the "cold state;" he is ready to have
a cold.
The Germs.
Then along comes the germs. The
mucous membrane is
"clover" for them. They set up in
business, and soon There is a yellow
discharge from the mucous men,
branes of the nose, or of the bronchial
tubes and larynX; in the latter case
a cough is set up. Now the cold is ip
full blast.
Clothing.
Dress the child to suit the weather j
The body surface should
never perspire as the result of too
many clothes. Wool was never in
tended for child, and its use next
% the body insures an inactive circu- ,
alton. The clothing should be loose,
with no constructing bands. In the
,ase of older children, during the win
.er keep the feet dry and rely upon
utter garments for protection against
he cold weather. These must always
,e removed when Coing indoors. Chill
lren should be cautioned ABOUT wear
ng their rubaers in school.
Ventilation.
Clean, pure air is an absolute neces-
ity to the nea : Of a growing child
Windows wee made to open. In
winter open up tle house wide sever
! times G,y foy al, interchange of
ir. At night .he nursery windows
hould be lowered from The top art
aised from TIE bottom. Avoid
by standing a folding screen
eforc the window or by tacking
across the window OPEN
1gs.
To Cure a Cold.
Feed the Child nothing bu: diluted ,
range juice for "a hours. "Stuff a
old and starve fever" if interpreted
would read as follows: eff
ou stuff a cold you will probably
ave fever to starve." Clean the
owcls out thoroughly with warm salt
ater "a heaping teaspoonfal of salt ,
, the quart of water.) Several ,
nemas may be necessary. Keep the ,
lild out of doors or in well vensi- ,
tied room all day. and at night the I
eeping room must be opened up. I
tuberculosis often has its origin with
cold that is allowed % become
lronic. If the child is not running
, fever with the cold let i; take a
risk walk in the open air before re-
ring, followed by hot bath. To ge.
good sweat, wrap blanket about
le child while he is sitting in tie hot ! !
ater. Gradually cool the water !,
,wn to body temperature before end \
6 the bath. Follow with a good rub !
aking the skin pink in reaction. !
The safest plan is to- avoid colds,
hs can be done by feeding the child =
rrectly, and by Incorporating in his !
lbits of life the principles involvedin :
L 4 y - =