The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-01-06

on at the Rockefeller Institute for
Medical Research, some at Har-
ward Medical School. Universities
Of Minnesota and California.
The cause is generally agreed 70
be an ultramicroscopic germ or
virus which Dochez and his CO.
workers at the Rockefeller have
cultivated on media and by expos
ing healthy people have produced
colds. But as soon as this virus
has begun its work, other germs
enter the epithlium of the nose
and throat and cause most Of the
symptoms. The common cold, an
other point on which all are in
agreement, is a group of different
affections, rather than a single
entity.
Respiratory Infections
Environmental factors, such as
chilling and drafts, and wet, and
fatigue, precipitate a cold only
in the presence Of the virus. Ex-
posture to other people is the prime
factor, and these respiratory in
fections are very readily commu-
nicable. Periodicity Of colds does
not depend entirely on weather
conditions. The seasons" for
colds are the same in Florida and
Southern California as in less even
climates.
Immunity persists for several
months after an attack. What
look like occurrences are due to 4
focus of lymphoid-tonsil or ade-
mold tissue-that has become in
fected.
Diagnosis Of the common cold
in children should be made guard
eddy. What looks like a cold may
be the onset of measles, scarlet
fever, whooping cough, diphtheria
or infantiie paralysis.
The only preventive Of q cold
that meets with approval is re-
duction to a minimum Of contacts
with crowds, which is not very
practical. Spraying and gargling
are Intellectual" Il quote.) "Vac-
cines are of limited value" (Again
| quote.) Children have fewer
colds after the tonsils are out.
"Vitamin A is Of no preventive
value" Il quote.)
Recommended Treatments
Treatments recommended are
silver applications to the poste-
rior nose, spraying and gargling,
rest in bed, coal tar derivatives
(aspirin, phenacetin, acetanilid)
for symptomatic relief, sweating,
warm drinks, fumes Of benzedrine
and menthol.
These, taken as say, from the
latest and most modern textbook,
are not very cheering, but are the
only things that careful scientists
are willing to advise. They are
certainly not new. They, indeed,
are reminiscent Of exactly the
things my parents got out of the
blue-bound family doctor book
during the last century.
But it is a good deal better to
face the facts than fall for all the
high pressure craftsmanship we
hear about what wonders any par
ticular remedy will perform. "The
latest announcement Of science"
we hear a good deal about that.
Well, / have gone over all the real
science there is on the subject, and
l can tell you science is pretty
mum about colds. | wish it were
not so. My readers and l both
would be delighted if were able
to proclaim a sure cure. Maybe it
will come this year. Meanwhile, it
isn't so bad. Colds are not such
calamities. Staying in for a day
with a good book might really do
you quite bit Of good.
Tomorrow: The cause and spread
of the common cold.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
S. G. D.:-"Can you tell in your
column how person can tell if
they lack sufficient hydrochloric
acid in the stomach? Is it safe for
anyone to take it by mouth in small
doses?"
Answer-The only way to tell is
by Doctors examination Of stom-
ach juice, which is withdrawn
through a stomach tube. Dilute
hydrochloric acid is perfectly safe
TO take by mouth.
OLD EMPLoYE sSED