The Coolidge examiner., 1935-03-22


goes through every bacterial filter
we have In our laboratories. and Il
cannot be seen with the microscope.
But some day some scientist viii be
able 20 catch" II In some kind OF
net, and then when we can isolate It
from other germs. we VIII be able 10
work on Il. and the same scientist,
or some others. viii be able to dis
cover the way Of killing Il. Let Us
hope these discoveries come soon.
The common cold Is certainly the
cause % an amazing amount OF
discomfort 10 this world
Medical science. however, has
learned that there are two types OF
eolds-one that is contagious and
one that is not. The non-contagious
type is the one that most cronic head
cold sufferers have. The infectious
type is the one that most OF US get.
II is the one that comes in waves"
Medical science, too. has deter
mined pretty well that we all have
the cold virus "a germ Is called a
virus when Il Is so small that you
cannot see II with a microscopy
In our noses and throats constantly.
When we arc well the cold virus
doesn't bother Us any more than n
dust spot on healthy skin bothers
Us. But let as get below par. then
well. the cold virus Is there ready
90 attack. aud loses no time get
ting in It's work"
In experiments which We have
been carrying on In the University
81 Illinois. we have learned that the
temperature Of the lining OF the
nose has great deal TO do with
whether or not we are resistant TO
cold Briefly the action IS this:
10 a normal healthy person. when
cold water or cold air strikes the
body anywhere, the temperature OF
the lining membrane Of the nose
drops Instantly below normal. md
before the temperature OF the skin
drops, Then within the space OF
few minutes. the temperature OF the
lining ~ the nose rises above nor
nal and stays there long enough 10
counteract the bad effect Of the be
low normal period. Then II settles
back 10 normal. In other words, a
healthy body machinery has the
ability 10 adapt Itself. within rea-
son. 10 exposure 10 cold. and TO
ward OF It's lil effects.
But now supposIng the body Is be
low par. Then when cold air strikes
the skin at any spot, the tempera-
ture % the nose goes down instan.
taneously, bat instead OF going up
again Immediately as II should. II
stays down for perhaps half an hour
or longer. And when the blood holds
away from the surface for longer
than ten minutes. we have found.
the cold germs seize the chance to
get IN their work. and In a very
short time our noses are running
and we are sneezing. The cold
germs are multiplying by the mil
lions and ready to fasten themselves
on any person that comes In con-
tact with our wet handkerchIefs or
the spray from our mouth. IL Is In
this beginning stage that the COM
mon cold Is most Infectious.
But II Is now that quick work on
our part can often stop the cold. II
we can get the temperature of the
nose 10 rise above normal for
while so that we can sweat and the
blood In the nose can come to the
surface 10 battle against the germs.
and we can rest our bodies for
bit. the chances are pretty good that
we can conquer the cold within
few hours. The best tactics to use
al this time are those grandmother
used-a steamIng hot foot bath
while wrapped In blankets. hot
lemonade to drink. a warmed bed
10 get into. and then rest there.
But II the soft underlying tissues
Of the nose become waterlogged
with serum filtered through the
walls OF the blood capillaries, the
cold will run It's normal course.
The best way to prevent infectious
head colds is to keep the lining of
the nose and its underlying vascular
network in a normal state Of func-
ton.
The skin OF the whole body must
be kept in "tone," and this can be
done by a warm morning bath fol-
lowed by cool shower. or at least
a washing Of the face, arms and
hands with cold water and a cool
rundown Of the rest Of the body.
Then be out in the open air at least
an hour a day. Eat plenty Of fruit,
vegetables, dairy products, lean
meats, and go easy on starches and
sweets.
And avoid as you would pesti-
Ience, the person who Is in the
sneezing stage of a cold and who is