HOW TO PREVENT COLDS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1927, Page 4

HOW TO PREVENT COLDS

(B,v Sir Arbutlinot Lane, M.8.M.5.) The common cold, or acute inflammation of the mucous membranes of tho nose and throat, is ono of the minor plagues of civilisation. This inflammation, of which the signs—excessive discharge, soreness, sneezing, and coughing—are only too familiar and render us such a nuisance to ourselves and to our neighbours, is duo to the sucessful attack of virulent germs. These germs are to he found in the noses and throats of most of us in the winter months, especially in the crowded cities. Whether wo .succumb to their attack depends on two factors—the virulence, or activity, of the germ, and the strength of the resistance that tho defensive forces of our body can put against the attacks. The mierdbes which give riso to nasal and bronchial catarrhs are conveyed from one person to another by coughting, spitting, sneezing, infected handkerchiefs, or even by talking at close quarters. They cannot survive in air and sunlight. and are absent from the air of ocean wastes and mountain summits. Men living almost entirely in the open air are free from colds, not matter what exposure and hardship they may undergo. TOO M UCH FOOD. TOO LITTLE AIK. What, therefore, is the explanation of the greater prevalence of colds in the winters months in civilised communities? It probably lies in the fact that people in the winter months tend to shut themselves up and seek the com- . fort of stuffy, overheated rooms, the virulence of the infective germs is increased and the resistance to disease is lowered by stagnant, polluted air. and by deprivation of sunlight. Added to this, the outer air is more polluted with smoke and soot, which cause irritation ot the mucous membranes. and so render them more susceptible. I’cople take less open-air exorcise and tend more than ever to overeat in the winter months. These had habits lead to a poisoned condition of the blood and-so to a- lowered resistance. Tho more general the epidemic of colds the more virulent become the infective germs. Few people regard the common cold as anything-more than a nuisance, -and take very lew precautions to avoid infecting others. A little Ihrought and care to avoid this reprehensible carelessness of other people's welfare would do a great deed to lessen these epidemics. Infection is conveyed principally in rooms and in badly ventilated public vehicles, where tho air is stagnant and tho sunlight never penetrates. Sunlight, if it is to do any good, must come into a room through an open, window. Ordinary window glass prevents i lie most useful rays—the ultraviolet—from passing through. DON’T CODDLE YOURSELF. Draughts tend to prevent colds, not to cause them, unless one exposes oneself to a cold current of air when over--1 heated, or so coddles the skin by habiI tu-al overclothing that the natural heat-adjusting mechanism of the body becomes weakened .and fails to act. The body should he capable of adjusting itself promptly to sudden changes of temperature, and will do so if kept in proper training. This can be done by frequent exposure of the skin to fresh air and sunlight, by the habit of bathing in cool or cold water, and the wearing of porous, loose-textured garments next tho skin. / Warm woollen and heavy garments should he reserved for outer clothing, to ho donned to meet unusual exposure to low temperatures. Exercise should be taken in tho cold air with light loose clothing by all who can raise the body temperature by brisk walking, or the playing of a game. HOW TO KEEP WELL. For the rest we can keep our blood clean 'and active -by eating the foods that make for health—milk, oranges, green vegetables, good wholemeal bread and good butter in plenty; meat, fish, eggs, and cheese only in moderate amount. Tho waste products of the body must be freely got rid ot by ■ ensuring activity of the bowel and by the cleansing action of liberal draughts of water. To sum up. While avoiding as far as possible tbe depressing effects of sudden exposure to a lowered temperature by the use of suitable extra clothing, try to habituate the body to moving'cool air by day and night— keep the feet warm and the head cool. Expose large areas of tho skin as often as possible to tbe open air and the sun. Keep the body clean internally as well as externally, and if, alas! you should succumb to <a virulent dose of infection, treat it seriously and isolate yourself as far as possible dining the early stages. Any chronic obstruction to tree breathing through the nose or unhealthy condition of the teeth or tonsils should be treated under medical advice. These conditions considerably increase tlie'lability to “catch cold.”