The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-17

tell you by ridiculing the mis- leading term, the common cold, and by denying its existnce without pointing out the truth may be harmful.
 "It is generally known that nearly all respiratory diseases begin with what we so blibly call Common Cold. Isn't it reasonable to think that the germs of pneumonia, scar let fever, diphtheria, and many Oth- CTS will have a well prepared field for their sinister work in cri weak ened system? Stamp out cri and you will lessen the more deadly dis eases. But you will not accomplish this by denying that anyone can catch cold from being chilled or weakened by fatigue. The only way to remedy the situation is to compel those with head colds to stay away from people or at least to wear face masks if they insist on keeping about their usual work or business.
 This reader like many others im- putes to me the wish to introduce a new name for "the common cold" I think that would be 8 silly thing to do, whatever "the common cold" may be. If, there is an ailment which can be distinguished from other maladies as "cold," the doc tors who pretend to recognize or diagnose it are strangely unwilling to define it so that the rest of us may gunderStand what they're talk ing about when they imply patient has it. If were indisposed and some doctor told me I had just a cold" Id have no further truck with him, for I honestly believe even the ailing patient can make that bad guess as well as any blooming quack can. Further I in- sist it is a guess in one hundred per cent of cases. And finally I suggest diffidently but entirely for your own tgood that if you are not too dumb you ought to realize yourself how you have been bar1bo oozled when the | illness develops sufficiently so that anybody can see it is the measles, the meningitis or, the flu. Trouble is, that by the, time the nature of the illness becomes obvious, you're too sick to remember how bad the quack,s first guess was, or to ques- tion his glib explanation that 1t has turned" into pneumonia or "devel- Eoped into" diphtheria.
 For generations the medical pro- fession has gotten away with mur- der in this fashion, and, wiseacre laymen are aceessorieS to 1t when they, plead the. cause of qlackery against plain common sense.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 aseeond Hand Tobacco Smoke {, Can one have i'll effects from in- haling tobacco smoke in 8 room where others are smoking cigar cites, pipes or cigarS2 seem to get a headache from even 8 slight ex- posture to tobacco smoke. Is this just psychologist? (E. T)
 Answer--A young infant may be seriously poisoned. in that way. Ad- ults who happen to be hypersersi- tive may suffer, much the same symptoms from inhaling tobacco smoke second hand that . non- fsmoker is likely to suffer from the first indulgence in tobacco.
 Basement Apartment
 We have a year old baby. Would a basement apartment be unhealth- fll to move into2 (Adrs. A)ss
 Answer-N enough sunlight and ventilation makes 1t cheerful and comfortable it is as healthful as an upper floor apartment would be.
 Frail Child
 Boy 3 years, 4 months old. 3 feet tall. weighs 29 pounds. Pulse is H. | to- 120. Is that too fast? Would his heart beating too fast account foi him feeling tired all the timer (Mrs P. M. B.)
 Yes, that Is too fast, bu the child's weakness accounts fol | the hapid heart action. He should weigh s pounds. Have A Apctol Iexaiiiine him aud advise you aboul his nutrition and care.
 (Copyright l037, John ?. DilIe Co.,