The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1926-12-16
How Chilling Causes Colds.


There is a close relationship be- ,
tween the circulation of blood in the !
skin which covers the body and the
mucous membranes which line struc-
lures inside the body. Thus, when the
vessels in the skin are contracted and
contain less blood, those in the mucous
membranes are dilated and contain
more blood. Hence, if the vessels of
the skin are contracted as a result of
exposure to draft of cold air, those
In the mucous membranes are proper
tionately dilated. In other words, the
blood squeezed out of one part has to
find room in another section.
For example: If the feet become wet
and chilled a considerable volume of
blood is affected because the feet have
a very large skin area compared to
their bulk. The blood that normally
traverses the vessels of the feet now
engorges the vessels of the mucous
membranes. There is congestion of
these membranes and from this it is
only step to inflammation when the
membranes are irritated. The eircu-
lation is now slowed up and the ever
present germs gain firm foothold.
The reason it is the upper air pass
ages which suffer the greatest from
this circulatory upset is twofold:
First, they harbor germs at all
times; second, they are more prone to
irritation.
The condition might, however, de-
velop in any part of the body which is
especially susceptible at the time.
Thus exposure to cold might in one
individual leaitp gastritis, in. another
to bowel trouble. in third to bladder
trouble.
Under normal circumstances the lit
tie glands in the muscous membranes
secretes fluid in just sufficient am
cunt to keep the surface moist. This
activity on their part is in direct rela-
ton to their blood-supply. If the
blood in a part increases these glands
become more active and an excessive
secretion is manufactured. Which ex-
plains why the nose runs" when one
has cold in the head.'
How to Prevent Colds.
The preventive measures against
colds naturally divide themselves into
two classes: Those which build up
ones resistive powers and those which
safeguard him against infection.
By resistive power is meant not so
much the general physical well-being
as the state of individual structures
concerned-skin and mucous mem
branes. AS has already been shown it
is their reciprocal action that is upset
in the disorder we term "cold."
! The skin is kept in good condition
by bathing-in the case of children q
cold sponge followed by friction Of
the face, neck and chest; in adults, by
cold showers or plunges.
: Clothing suitable to the season, 10.
cality and exposure should be worn
All parts should be evenly covered
Leaving child's legs bare and keep
ing the head and neck heavily pro
tected is an absurdity just as is thu
practice of exposing children to damp
ness and winds with the idea of in
creasing their resistance to colds
2 Neither measure protects agains
colds, and may lead to far more seri
| GUS disorders.
Ventilation is very important. TIL,
relative humidity of rooms in houses
schools and factories should be main
: tanned at a proper level. Too dry ali
is prolific source of colds as it leaves
the mucous membrane in condition
t that renders it susceptible to inflam
nation. Plenty of fresh air SHOULD
be had provided it is warmed and nj
direct drafts exist.
: Every person with cold SHOULD
cough and sneeze into a handkerchief
} Infection is direct-from person t,
/ person. The man with a cold VIII,
sneezes into the atmosphere throws ,
spray fifteen feet and anyone within
that radius inhales some of the drop
let's in the air. Bacteria that reacl
the sidewalk or pavement do little i.
any harm. Germs do not rest for
while on the sidewalk on Main stree
and jump up into your nose as you
walk by.
So, protect your neighbor agains
yourself and protect yourself agains
!. your neighbor. Keep the youngsters
out of crowded places (stores, stree
cars, theatres.) Do not use YOU
handkerchief to wipe the baby's nose
Do not use community towel al
home. Do not shake hands with peo
pie, many of whom have fingers lader
with cold" germs. Cut out kissing
except that which is absolutely neces
sary-which isn't often. Instead of 6
handkerchief use paper or cheese
cloth and burn it.
Common colds could be wiped of
the face Of the earth if these rules
were observed. Perhaps couple hun.
dred years hence the human race as 8
whole will have become intelligent en-.
ough to do it.