Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-01-29
Mature Puts
An+iseptic
In Your Nose
Used TO Kill OF influence
Germs Science Finds
BY LOGAN CLENDENING, VI. I

BY LOGAN CLENDENING, VI. ID
YHE best antiseptic that you
= can put in your nose TO kill
of the germs OF influenza is put
there by nature itself. and is
formed by the secretions of the
cells that line the nose.
This was the announcement
made by DR.. Thomas Francis Jr.
OF the University Of Michigan
before the New York Academy
OF Medicine. Dec. !, 1871.
He collected nasal discharges
from a number of people and
found that they contained SUBJ
stance. which in test tubes ncu-
tralized Type "a" influenza
virus within an hour.
When small quantities Of this
substance were injected into the
noses of mice. it protected them
completely against one thousand
times doses of the influenza
virus.
The protective substance Is
probably similar to the anti
bodies which circulate in the
blood cells. once an attack OF
influenza is under way. They
are natures influenza vaccine.
THIS is new development in
series OF researches which
have been recounted in this
column for several years.
In fact, We got into a good
deal of trouble few years ago
by saying that not only the
nasal secretions but also the
saliva had great germicidal
powers, and that you did not
need TO put substances in your
nose which killed germs in a
few minutes, because you al
ready had such substances.
In fact, most of the anti
septics which are advertised 10
help the nose out, do more
harm than good because they
inhibit the natural germ-killing
secretions OF the mouth and
nose.
AS the nose specialists them
selves admit. il took them long
time TO get around 10 inveSti-
eating the normal physiology
OF the nose.
They were, for years. so much
Interested in the anatomy of the
nose and trying 10 find out what
would happen If they cut some
thing out, that they neglected
10 study the natural defenses
of the nose against infection.
Not only do the cells lining
the nose produce antiseptic Sc
cretions. but also number Of
them have little hair-like pro-
jections tcilia} which have con-
slant wave-like motions.
The direction Of these move
ments is toward the outside.
and especially in cold weather
they keep constant movement
of liquid and mucous going to-
ward the outside.
This may make A "runny'
nose for you in the winter
time. but that simply means
you are in a good defense posi-
ton.
NEARLY all the substances
~ which are used for NASAL
sprays. provided your nose is
in a good state OF health, do
more harm than good.
Doctors Walsh and Cannon,
In an article called The Prob
lens of IntranaSal Medication"
concluded the only safe medical
ments for the healthy nose are
weak solutions OF salt water.
or in the case Of an established
infection. weak solutions of
drugs that construct the vessels
of the nose such as epinephrine
and ephedrine.
OF course. we know that some
times the protective action of
the nasal mucosa breaks down
and influenza and the common
cold and other respiratory in
fections gain foothold.
Nature breaks down our i'm
munity defenses in this way lots
of times. but We are learning
more and more how nature
works and learning 10 make
her an ally instead of our
enemy.
Let your nose alone is
good health slogan if YOU happen
10 be tempted 10 reach for the
atomizer bottle.