The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-02-12
COMMON COLDS
A BIG MENACE
Physician Urges Mothers
to Watch Colds in Chill
dren Closely.
ALL NEED FRESH AIR
BY DIR. STANLEY GIBSON
{ ATTENDING Physician, Children's Ward,
Wesley Memorial HospitaD


Wesley Memorial HospitaD
What is popularity spoken of as the
ordinary cold is one of the serio~
menaces of childhood 1t is an ex-
tremely common ailment, being more
frequent perhaps than any other ill-
ness among children living in temper
ate climates. 1t is most frequent in
the winter and early spring months,
but occurs at all seasons of the year.
What causes a child to "catch cold"?
There are MANY factors which must
be considered.
We know that the child that is
guarded too scrupulously against colds
is the very one who is often rendered
most susceptible. Perhaps he is kept
almost constantly indoors in over
heated rooms. Little ventilation is al
lowed day or night.
Excessive Clothing.
: Perhaps the clothing is excessive so
that he perspires freely during his
play, and becomes chilled when his
play is needed. Being so pampered that
his resistance is low, the slightest ex-
posure or a sudden change in the
weather finds him an easy victim to
colds.
We know too that there is a great
difference in the Susceptibility of diff
ferent children to colds, even though
their habits are the same. This is
oftentimes due to unhealthy conditions
of the nose and throat, such as dis
eased tonsils and adenoid growths.
Even more important than the above
ig hot Of diraaf hW
contact with some one who is already
suffering from cold. 1t is literally
true that we "catch cold" How often
it Happens that one member of FAM
lily contracts a cold, to be followed in
a few days by similar condition by
every other member of the household.
There are quarantine regulations
against chicken pox, measles and
many other we'll recognized conta-
gious diseases, yet the person with
a cold is allowed to go on his wav
coughing and sneezing, scattering
germs to everyone near him. The
adult continues his work, the school
child remains at his desk, and the
run-about child continues to mingle
with his playmates.
EIudDS IHe IGdSOH lOI bilo NaiS-
lessness lies in the fact that a cold
is looked upon as trivial ailment. In
many instances this is true.
Yet there are so many exceptions
that it is never wise to neglect
cold. Many serious complications may
develop. How frequently one hears
the statement from the mother, at
began just as an ordinary cold and
didn't think it was anything serious"
Complications.
What are some of these complica-
tions Among children one Of the most
frequent is inflammation of the ear.
The older child complains Of earache,
the infant shows it's distress by wake
fulness and crying, and by pulling at
the ear. The fever may be high, and
commissions are not uncommon. Inc
condition is q rather obscure one, and
may be overlooked unless the ply
stefan makes repeated examinations
of the ears. Sometimes the ear drum
ruptures spontaneously, and pus is dis
charged. In other cases it is neces-
sary to lance the drum to allow the
pus to escape. If the ear condition Is
neglected, mastoid disease may result.
The common cold may usher IL bron-
chitis or pneumonia. 1t may be the
starting point for disease of the kid
neys or bladder. Valvular heart dis
ease in children may arise from colds,
particularly in children with family
history of rheumatism.
Blood Poisoning.
Once in a while germs from the
nose or throat may find their way
into the blood stream, resulting in
what is known as general sepsis, or
blood poisoning Many other compli
cations arising from colds could be
added to this list.
It is this variety of serious Sec
ondary conditions which should make
the mother realize the possible dam
ger from colds. The child who has
q cold should be kept away from other
children. BY so doing other members
of the family may escape, and at least
children outside the home will not be
endangered, except in the mildest cases
rest in bed is advisable. The child
that is subject to frequent colds should
have thorough examination Physical
defects or bad health habits which
have lowered his vitality should be