DAMPNESS AND COLDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 January 1929, Page 6

DAMPNESS AND COLDS.

A MEDICAL, VIEW.

LONDON, Nov. 14. Tlie chance of catching cold til rough sleeping in damp beds or through wearing damp clothes is negligible, writes Sir W. Arbutlmot Lane, Bart., in the “Daily Mail,” though it must lie borne in mind that a cold is due to a germ that is able- to- attack the -body when the resistance is lowered, owing to the temperature of the body being below normal. Most, medical authorities are agreed that a damp bed will cause no harm, providing enough covering is supplied to keep the occupant warm; and the same applies to clothes. The reason colds are caught in- this way is that, on account of the dampness, more covering is needed to maintain the body at the same heat as that to- which the person is accustomed. In the same way the sudden opening of a window would not give anyone a cold, providing that sufficient clothing was then put on to prevent the loss of heat, which varies so. much -with each individual and is very largely the result \ of habit. Many doctors order cold compresses for various ailments, and there are some who- even advise rheumatic patients to sleep wrapped in a sheet that has previously been soaked ill water and firmly wrung out. Ooddling in every way should be avoiled by healthy young people as it reduces their resistance. The wanning of overcoats, shoes, and other clothes before wearing them may be agreeable, but unless always carried out it produces chills rather than prevents- them. Few normal young people would he able to carry but this coddling process continually, therefore tfrom, the point of view of chills, as well as from the mental effect, it cannot be advocated. In the case of ill, delicate, or very old people, it is, of course, an entirely different matter, as often they find it very difficult to keep warm at all, owing t - illness induced by faulty diet, habits, and other causes, or through degeneration of the organs. These people, of necessity, cannot lead normal lives, and. every artificial means lias to- be resorted to in order to- try and add to their health and comfort; but coddling here must be constant and not occasional.