New Britain herald., 1930-03-14
WARNING IS GIVEN ON COMMON COLDS
Dr. Dumont Says Infections Can
 Cause Serious Epidemics

Common colds occur in epidemics, one case frequently causing a spread which involves the entire working force of an office or factory depart ment, Dr. L. J. Dumont, superintend- ent of health, warns in a discussion of prcventives and causes of this ail ment.
 Dr. Dumont writes:
 More people probably suffer from common colds than from any other single ailment. Could the sum total of suffering, inconvenience, sequelae, and economic loss resulting from common colds be obtained, it would at once promote these infections from the trivial into the rank of the serious diseases.
 Between 10 and 15 per cent of the population at large are afflicted with colds at one time. Colds are contracted from other persons hav- ing colds, just as diphtheria is con- tracted from diphtheria. A cam- paign to prevent the spread of the common cold would have much collateral good in aiding the sup pression of tuberculosis and causing a. diminution of pneumonia and other infections. Common colds oc- cur in epidemics. Colds are apt to household, and outbreaks in schools, factories, and other places where people are closely associated, fre- Quently occur and result in consid- erable loss of time and money. While common colds are never fa- tai, the complications are serious. These are rheumatic fever, pneu- monia, Bright's disease, and a de- pressed vitality which favors other infections.
 Prevention
 ''The prevention of colds consists, first, in avoiding the infection, and, secondly, in guarding against the predisposing causes. Contact should be avoided with persons who have colds, especially in street cars, offic- IS, tlilu ollltl pooli iS NtllNIiolGu SplS| es where the risk of persons cough ing or sncezing directly in ones face is imminent. The predisposing caus- es of colds include a number of con- ditions that dcpress vitality and thereby diminish resistance. The principal predisposing factors in catching" cold are: Nitiated air, I ,J, oF{
 perature, exposure to cold and wet, overwork, loss of sleep or insuffi- cient rest, and other conditions that lower the general vitality of the body. To avoid the germs, keep away from people who have colds.
 The control of respiratory diseases is the blackest spot in our preventive program. We have made compara- lively little headWay in controlling the most common of the contagious diseases. One great reason for this is that human conduct is involved of all the factors involved in the spread of contagion the most diff ficult to control. In spite of the dis tigurement of our public buildings, street cars and other public convey ances by signs against splitting, the American public still continues to expectorate widely. profusely and frequently, in addition to which comparatively few people cover their noses and mouths when sneez- ing or coughing. Children should be taught at home, as we'll as in the schools, the necessity of protecting the mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing are necessary. There should be strict enforcement of the state law prohibiting splitting in public places and on sidewalks, as l this practice may transmit several | diseases, such as tuberculois and
 others"