WHY WE CATCH COLD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 30501, 22 June 1926, Page 4

WHY WE CATCH COLD.

In these days everyone seems to be just catching or just getting over a cold; and, of course, lie wonders how he caught it (writes “A Physician” in the Daily Mail). The truth is that microbes cause colds; chills do not. The patient who says he contracted a chill was already infected by the “cold” microbe when he first •complained of feeling chilly. Man versus germ is a lifelong contest. You ‘‘catch cold” because, for a time, the germ wins a victory. The deeply-rooted popular belief that colds and catarrhs are directly due to damp, chilly climate is false. Arctic explorers never catch colds, even during the most inclement weather, until they open up baggage that has been collecting germ-laden dust since it was stored at their port of departure. Only when this dust is added to the air breathed do colds, catarrhs, and influenza become rampant.

During the winter months doors and windows are kept closed too constantly. Fresh air, the strongest enemy of the common cold, is excluded. Dust soon accumulates in badly-ventilated houses, offices, public conveyances. The latest medical researches prove that dust, particularly household dust, is largely responsible for the onset of catarrhs and colds. A germ invasion is the direct, cause of “catching cold.” The invading arinv contains the Miroeoccus Catarrhnlis and hosts of other microbes, such as streptococci, staphylococci and pneumococci. Those germs lodge in the lining membrane of the nose and throat. Tfcre they set. up inflammation. Their poisons enter Die system and bring on the chnrnctoristic sympIn health and natuinl resist a nyi of the body repels a- germ invasion. When this resistance is weak and you are feeling out of sorts the germs gain a sure footing. Tins condition is produced. l>y (1) tjoin» from over-exert ion, ph\ su a or mental; (2) lack of fresh air during work or recreation indoors: (3) weaving insufficient clothing in wintrv weather and getting wet feet owing to boots not being dampproof; (4) a “run-down” state of general health due to illness, worry, or other mental crisis; and (5) not keeping physically fit in winted by open-air exercise. Isolation of all oariv eases—for the complain! is infectious —and the intelligent use of antiseptic gargles, sprays, and douches would go a long wav Inwards banishing (he outbreaks of the common colds that occur every winter.