THE BEST WAY TO CURE A COLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 69, 11 March 1908, Page 4

THE BEST WAY TO CURE A COLD.

BY A. FAMILY PHYSICIAN.

The primary cause of a cold is want of fresh air. Badlj-voiitilatfd li»--ingjroniijs are necessarily full of impure -dir. and if artificial light -especially gas-light—is Uaed in tucm the air becomes vitiated.

Tw.i predisposing causes of a cold must be earelully noted. Either the body is exposed when weakened by fatigue or constitutionally depressed to a cold current of air, as on a draughty railway platform, to damp shed- or clothes, or even to the devitalized atmosphere resulting from Idling a lire before which one mis been comloilaiily dozing get gradually low, or the pores of the skin an- opened in a vitiated and warm atmosphere, such as a crowd 'd church, chapel, or theatre. These causes

may combine, and a cold then becomes doubly severe. Frequently personascribe their colds to going from sonic warm place to the open air, when, as a matter of lad, they have already taken r-ohl in a ciosc, unvciitilatcil at-

mosphere. .Slight or partial altnek- of i-ohl nciv he lreali'd siicccssfullv bv immediate

recourse to fresh, pure air. gently walking the best part of a day. hiking a warm bath at night, soaking the legs in hot mustard and water to remove the

bead congestion, and drinking a warm, thin gruel Del ore sleeping to induce natural perspiration. The window-, should be partially open if the weather is dry. To relieve the stuffy'' sensation about the nose there is nothing lietter than the application ot the tallow candle of our grandmothers. As, howev :r, modern tallow candles frequently contain arsenic, plain unsalted lard, or el-

most any kind of thick grease, may be substituted. For the tickling sensation in the throat there is no remedy superior to linseed tea, made by pouring bulling water on fresh seed, then slighUy

sweetened, acidulated with lemon juic. and the usual liquorice left out. The tightness of the chest is best relieved by a warm bath at bedtime, followed by rubbing into the chest a

spoonful of hot olive oil or lanolin, either of which will affect the purpose,, though the smell ot the" latter is against its widespread use. If this latter symptom of tightness, or pain iu the chest, is at all severe the patient must be put to bed in au airy room, a five burning, and the window a few inches open in clear weather. There must bo only just enough bed-covering to be comfortable. When a warm bath is given it should lie iu the bedroom, the windows should be shut, and the immersion must be all over except the head, and not one part at a time.

For the first twenty-four hours, or even longer, according to the severity of the symptoms, nothing but a breakfast- ' cupful of barley water ami milk, in ; equal proportions, every four hours, and a little fruit must lie given. The hands and fac-e should he sponged with tepid water- night and morning. When the severity of the symptoms diminishes, bread and milk, macaroni or rice pudding, soup or other light diet should Le continued until the appetite returns and the ordinary diet can be taken, but the ■ . , i , i , , 1 , [ , . .

patient had bettor seize the first J favourable opportunity to get gentle outdoor exereise. Tliis treatment is for the severe form of eolds. Drugs. homoepathic or allopathic, a>v really useless, and ponltiees are not needed if the above directions are carried out. The thirst is best relieved by grapes, fresh lemonade, or tamarind water. To avoid reeurrenee of the complaint, moderate living, little or no alcohol, which opens the pores of the skin, gentle exercise, moderate clothing, and abundant fresh air are the essential requisites. Besides these general rules if will be well if persons very liable to eolds will take care that no ingress be given to the malady. Thus, if a cold usually commences in the teeth, these should be attended to, and decayed or unhealthy stumps removed. Tf the eyes are first attacked, they mint not he unduly tried, exposed to (lust, strong artificial light, or bad air. If the symptoms commonly commence in the throat, then a daily gargle with cold water should be had. the thrait sluiced every morning with cold water, and neither unduly exposed nor mufl'led up with handkerchiefs, mufflers, boas, or high fur collars. should the chest or lii'om hwl tube, lie i hielly affected, the same precautions as to Hntlimg must he observed: porou* and not too heavy flannel or other ve*U should hp worn, and misnamed dust " protectors'' thrown aside.