The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-10
THIS TIME OF YEAR WE SPEAK
ANOTHER LANGUAGE

For quite q while now I have avoid
ed alluding to the cri. Not that the
subject is any less important. but to
tell the truth ran out Of wind. We
enjoyed clear sailing for long time
and had high hopes Of convincing
the deluded world that there is no
such thing as 1.-The common cold"
and when you think you've got it you
have your neighbor to thank for the
sample he sprayed you with. But the
world goes on believing religiously
that you owe three fourths of the ILL
ness that comes to your household
each year to changes Of weather,
drafts. wet feet or carelessness about
going out with insufficient clothing.
Millions invested in business that pays
only If the world thinks that way,
and these powerful interests subsidize
all kinds of health authorities to keep
the world thinking that way, so as
far as results are concerned I might
as well 60 and holler down the rain
barrel.
From time to time some pleasant
spoken stranger offers his assurance
that I am right about it and bids me
increasing success in my undertaking.
II could only let it go at that. But
no, I have to chat a while with the
Brighter, and presently he reaffirms
his faith In my teachings and explains
that OF course you don't catch cold
from the draft or the weather-such
things merely lower your resistance SO
that the germs lurking about the
premises can Jump in and do you dirt.
Honestly, I do believe that II it were
not for my bowling would 60 nuts.
Listen, you blathering dunderhead,
think I. tho dare not say it, II there
were any sense in the notion that ex-
posure to such conditions lowers re-
sistance" and enables the everpresent
germs to gain q foothold and lay
you low. why. all this argument would
be silly. What practical difference
does it make whether getting your feet
wet enables the ubiquitous microbes to
disable you or knocks you out without
waiting for the microbes to come q
hopping? No, idiot, when I say ex-
posture to cold or wet has nothing to
do with any known ailment, save
frostbite or sunstroke, I mean just
that, and I challenge any one to bring
any scientific evidence that casts q
reasonable doubt on the truth Of the
assertion.
At this season when houses, shops,
offices, schools, churches. theaters,
halls, public conveyances are all more
or less heated by artificial means, 1t
becomes especially important to have
q clear understanding Of the nature
Of respiratory diseases, so far As our
knowledge goes. for without q defi-
mite view or opinion about that it Is
impossible to fix any ideal or normal
standards for guidance in determine
ing the right temperature. humidity
and ventilation Of any such Enclosure.
It Is absurd to expect any accord
about these conditions between Elmer
Palooka the fresh air bug and Aunt
Maria who has come away without her
chest protector. It Is insane to at
tempt to compromise when you have
. whole roomful Of people. no two Of
whom have the same views.
Perhaps the nearest approach to .
generally acceptable air condition q
attained when the temperature Is kept
between 81 and 68 degrees Fahren-
heit. When the air Is at that temper
AZURE the humidity Is likely to be
about right and ventilation thru
cracks or thru open doors Or windows
Is sufficient.