The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-01-06
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The PEOPLES HEALTH
By Samuel 9. PavIo, MD.
HEAD COLD (Acude Coryza)


The common cold, or head cold is an
acute inflammation of the nasal men,
brane. Not infrequently this infiama-
ton extends to the sinuses and
through the Eustachian tubes to the
middle ear. 1t may travel to the
throat, bronchi and even to the lungs,
all these organs being affected be-
cause of their proximity to the nasal
mucous membrane which is the pri-
mary seat of the infection.
A cold is an infectious disease the
causitive factor being bacterium.
The germ is introduced to the patients
nose when he breathes the air from
one who is already suffering from a
cold. 1t is evident then, that a cold
is Just as contagious as small poX,
diptheria, measles or any other con-
tagious disease.
The irritation produced by the germ
in the mucous membrane of the nose
or throat makes the patient sneeze or
cough. This is natures way to eXpel
and get rid of the germ together with
the products of inflammation in the nose
and throat. The particles sneezed or
coughed out are highly contagious.
A careless sneezer and the person
who does not cover his mouth and nose
when he coughs are breeders of colds.
The organisms which cause colds are
so small that a million could rest on
the head of a pin. When a person
coughs or sneezes, a fine spray carry
ing with it untold numbers of these
germs is spread into the surrounding
atmosphere to a distance of several
feet and may be easily taken into the
mouth or nose with the respired air.
More direct contact, such as by kiss
ing, the common drinking cup, the
common roller towel, by pipes, toys,
pencils, fingers, food, and other things
which have been contaminated by the
mouth and nose secretions of person
having a cold also carry the disease.
Theatres, schools and other public
places are frequently the medium by
which colds are spread, especially dur
ing the season when colds are preva-
lent This is usually the case in Win
ter when windows are closed and, be-
cause of poor ventilation, the infected
air is not purified.
While the germ is the most import
ant factor in getting a cold, it needs
the proper human constitution to live
and multiply, in the same manner as
the seed needs the proper and favor
able soil to take root and live. The
human body which, for some reason,
has become below par and has lowered
its resistance to infection is an excel
lent medium for the head cold germ
fn TO 10 A
is not apt to become infected when eX-
posed to the cold bacterium.
Extreme physical exhaustion, fol-
lowing over-work, lowers the human
resistance to infections. Undernour-
ishment is also a great factor. Lack of
sleep, living in overcrowded quarters
where ventilation is poor and the air
is foul are other frequent causes. Sud
den chilling of the body, especially
when over heated and perspired, wet
ting the feet, draft of cold air strik-
ing the back, neck and head-all these
help to lower the resistance of the
body. People who are used to the
winters in the South are apt to get
colds easily in the northern winter if
not dressed warm.
The best treasment Tor a cold is not
to get it. A person who keeps his body
in good condition, physically and men
tally, and who avoids people sick with
colds will be less likely to get the in
lection. The bed is the best place for
the sick. He will get we'll quicker and
will be less likely to complicate his
cold with sinus trouble, ear assesses,
laryngitis, bronchitis, broncho-pneu-
monia etc. The bowels should be kept
in good order, avoiding at the same
time drastic laxatives. The food
should be simple, preferably liquids,
plenty of drinking water and fruit
juices are advisable.
1t is better to see a physician in the
beginning of the sickness before COM
plications have set in, and it is advis-
able to have the physician see the
patient again if he has not recovered
in due time. A head cold lasting more
than week is probably no more a cold
and the cause of the protracted illness
should be investigated.