HEALTH NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 151, 30 June 1928, Page 17

HEALTH NOTES

COMMON GOLD ; , PREVENTION AND TREATMENT '" ■ i . (Contributed by the Department of Health.) . , V More people probably suffer'from common colds with the advent of wintei than from any other single ailment.' The importance of the so-called cominbn cold is therefore obvious. The condition itself is unwisely, considered; so' trifling that vigorous individuals usually, do not permit the disease to hamper their daily pursuits, and in consequence' promiscuous association continues wili-. oiit precautions. The result is that colds usually go through families,.ichools, and.', business groups, and rapidly become.scattered in many different small epidemics throughout tho city communities. Could the sum total of suffering, inconveniences, sequelae, and economic1 loss result-1 ing fro:, common "colds be obtained it might" well show that in this respect this simple malady Js more important than many graver conditions.' In fact, the prevention 6f the 'spread of 'the common cold , would'-have much collateral good;, iri; aiding.: the suppression, of tuberculosis/land causing a' 'diminution of pneumonia and it'ther. infectious. NEGLECTED COLDS. , The risks of neglcctca colds arc twofold, to the individual and to the community at large. In the first place, there is considerable danger of ithe cold producing nKirc serious infections, such as bronchitis, /laryngitis, land broncho-pneumonia. Secondly, during the course of the' condition by sneezing, coughing, and'spitting there occurs an indiscriminate 'scattering of saliva^ and nasal and bronchial" mucus. This results in an interchange of mouth and throat bacteria of a dangerous ■ nature among the population, and the consequent increase of. the "carrier" problem. ■ • , . ..-• • : : . • ! - -' ; TREATMENT. \ J " There are two kiiids of common'colds, —the coldcaught from other people aiicV the one contracted even; though" colds are not prevalent ,in, the population. People who have adenoids or/diseased-, tonsils or .are fun down are likely to have either kind. Very few colds would develop into serious illness if the perS3 who has the cold were wise enough to take proper, care, of .himself the 'first day or two. Best in bed if possible, or at least indoors is advisable, if the: victim feels weak, as weakness' may bo a sign of influenza. A laxative should, bo taken. Plenty of • cold water, should be taken, and a light amount of simple,l nourishing food. Breathing steam or using, a salt-water nasal douche, if; the doctor, advises it,.may relieve tho .-"Stop.; peel-up" feeling,- .At night beforo/gping to bed a hot bath, or at least a,; hot foot bath, is recommended. After drying, the sufferer should bo covered up in bed with extra blankets, so as to ''sweat the cold out of the. system." A hot drink, snch as lemon, perspiration. When, besides■ the general symptoms of a cold, fever occurs and the back of the legs .ache badly, probably influenza is indicated, aiid a doctor's" advice should be immediately sought. :-.''" ■ ■ • ■ PROTECTION OF CHILDREN. Common' colds are frequently-:-follow-, od by pneumonia- This is .'particularly true in very young children. Now. the question comes, what can be done to X>rotect,.these..ehirdren?." Since all colds, coughs, and other diseases 'of tho air passages, are'.catching,-it .follows that the sama.precautions-against infection, should'be followed with these common disorders as with the more serious ;| disorders. While- it 'is- difficult to tpreyent colds entirely, there arb certain things ■ which should always; be done. It is important to keep the'germs of this/ disease from getting into the mouth Jand nose. Older children can bo taught to /ash the hands carefully immediately before eating, and to keep their hands and all things "which may hay been handled by others away, from the mouth and nose. Infants,: of- course, ■ will ■ put. their hands into' their mouths, but .it is not necessary to give them much handled articles. Using one's own handkerchief to wipe a baby's iiosb is dangerous,: as is- the- practice! of some mothers of tasting the baby's'•:food; then handing the child'the same sppon. It is important to keep the rooms of tho. house at1 a' moderato temperature. Air in the-.winter/tiine is muehvdricr 'than at other seasons, especially-if ithe rooms are kept too warm, and is.more irritating to the membranes of the air passages. .-.•.-■-. ■ ■■■■■■■•*■■. .. ; - Babies and young children need sunlight as well as older people.' Do,not i ■keep~ a well child indoors-just because it is cold out of doors. Protect i the liaby well and put him out where he' will get the sunlight.. If a child-has a cold it is safest to keep him in: bed for a few days-until; the acute stage is past. Keep all dishes and other articles used by. the patient separate, and boil or ; otherwise disinfect them before their; use by others. In other words, colds should be considered contagious, and the sanio sort of care taken as with epidemic: "diseases; ■■";',* < :■'./ GENERAL ADVICE. . Keep the body built up by eating nourishing food, observing regular, sleeping, hours, exercising outdoors; in : the sunshine, and drinking plenty of water daily. Train the skin to stand changes in temperature .by /frequent. bathing. Wear sensible clothing. Breathe through the nose. .Air is filtered as.it passes along the nasal, passages ori its way to tho lungs. Sec a doctor if ficulty: of breathing: through the iose is; experienced. Live and work in well ventilated rooms. ' Finally, if you have a cold see that you do not convoy it to others by personal neglect of simple precautionary, measures, for there is no reason why." a cold, should :/• spread through a home if thteso measures \ are observed. The individual who coughs ,and r sneezes over1 the; other occupants in a tram, or place of \ public gathering As deliberately spreading infection and endangering the health of the commun*ty." •■•■-■•.' ■■•'•■-■■■■--^-••;-- •• -- ■.-•_■.■