OUR BABIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 220, 15 August 1928, Page 11

OUR BABIES.

By Hygeia. Published under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Society for tho Health of Women and Children (Plunkot. Society). "It is wiser to put up a fence at tlio top of a prccipico than to' maintain an r»nbulanco at the bottom." COLDS: THEIR CAUSE, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT. The following remarks are extracts from an interesting article which appeared in a recent issue of Life and Health, under the name of "A Sydney Physician," who says:In the past fifty years medical science has wrought wonders in eradicating disease. In civilised countries plague, yellow fever, and smallpox are almost unheard of. But in spite of tho advance of medical science the common cold stands to-day as a rock of 'offence to tho medical profession. WHAT IS THE CAUSE 0 FCOLDS? Colds are duo to infection, although this infection is not always duo to tho same organism. Upon the surface of the body (skin and mucous membranes) there are millions of bacteria waiting,as it were, for a a favourablo condition to develop so that they may implant themselves. . . . While these organims

are present in the nose and throat, they do not gain entrance into tho system until the resistance of the individual is lowered or the virulence of tho bacteria is increased. This lowered resistance to colds is frequently associated with a sluggish circulation. Some individuals, by taking too good care of themselves, keeping every inch of body surfaco wrapped in closely knitted woollen clothes, allow the vasomotor system to become soft, as it were, like tho mail whose hands aro not accustomed to tho shovel, or tho hothouso plant not accustomed to tho weather. Exposuro in these cases may be followed by disastrous results. All statistics reveal that colds aro more common among men than women. This statement needs no coriiment. THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE ON COLDS.

In tho United States tho incidence of Colds is not greater in tho changeable climate of an eastern winter than in tho mild climate of Florida.

In autumn, when nights aj-o cold and days warm, respiratory infections aro common. Tho extreme and rapid changes of temporaturo aro seemingly responsible for this. THE DEFENCE OF THE BODY.

Tho dcfenco of tho body is dependent on tho circulation. In tho blood wo find tho white cells, specially adapted to resist the invasion of micro-organisms by actually engulfing and digesting them, or by giving off certain immuno bodies which neutralise, as it were, the toxic produots of bacteria. These protective bodies sve find in tho blood serum, and they aro excreted in tho saliva, the tears, gastric juices, and nasal secretions. When, saliva is not excreted how quickly tho life-giving elements contained in the blood do not protect tho ■ body - unless ■ they are evenly distributed -.to every tissue. This distribution is effected , by- the vascular system, the tone of which is controlled by nervous .influences. Certain, external conditions may actually shock the - vasomotor system and cause unequal distribution of blood, resulting in congestion in ono part and anaemia in another. If local anaemia occurs in tho nose and throat, duo to a stasis of blood in other parts of the body, infectious organisms or other toxins may gain entranco into the tissue. ■ This is followed by congestion, which is so characteristic of tho early symptoms of a cold.

THE DANGER. OF A COLD. Colds always decrease the efficiency of the human organism, -whether in the mental or physical worker. . The dangers of a cold in tho head may bo compared to a camp fire in the bush-in dry weather—slight changes may produce disastrous, results. Tho air sinuses which-connect' with tho nose and throat.may become infected, and these sinuses may, harbour the infection for months—tonsilitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and broncho-pneumonia may result. PREVENTION OF COLDS. Observance pf the following suggestions

will help to prevent colds:— Live an activo, outdoor life as much as possible. Avoid over-dressing tho body. Avoid chilling alter perspiration. - Be regular in habits of eating, and avoid excessive eating of sweets lof any kind. Take a cool sponge in tho morning, and follow this with friction until tho skin It is important to see that- the alimentary canal is kept clear. In doing this we should, however, avoid tho excessive use of purgatives THE RATIONAL TREATMENT OF COLDS. No form of treatment compares with tho proper application of hot and cold water to restore the vascular tone. Excessivo sweating should bo avoided, . as this tends towards weakness and fatigue. Warm the body till tho skin shows a slight perspiration and the patient feels warm, then finish with cold water and friction. This may be accomplished in several ways. One may givo a short foot or leg bath, accompanied by hot fomentations over the abdomen, chest, or spine, long enough to dilate tho skin vessels. This should ho followed by a cold application with friction. .. . The most common method of applying hot and cold water is by means of a spray. If a shower is used it is well for tho feet to bo placed in hot water. .... However the treatment is applied, tho skin should feel dry and warm, and should glow with an activo circulation. Hydrotherapy is worse than useless when a patient’s skin is left in a cold, clammy condition, duo to improper -application of the treatment. Therefore see that tho treatment leaves tho skin warm. FLUIDS. Fluids should bo used freely, as they maintain tho volume of tho circulation and also favour the excretion of toxins from tho blood. Fruit juices should bo used, as thoy contain organio acids, as citric and malio acid. .... REST. During an infection tho bacteria give off toxins, which circulate through the body: These toxins causo changes in tho. protoplasm of the cells .... which aro not able to function properly. That is tho reason why a person with a fever’ has a dry mouth, and the reason why there is a loss of appetite, tho bowels aro constipated, and tho muscles weak. In this condition it is important to give the body as completo rest as possible, so that tho cells may be able to recuperato properly. Physical rest is important; also give the patient food that is easily digested (and fluids in abundance). . . . There is one muscle in tho body which is apt to bo injured if we do not take this precaution, - and ■ that is tho heart. This is especially so after attacks of influenza. . . . A cold on tho chest that lasts more than a- month is always dangerous to the individual. A doctor should bo consulted, and the lungs examined by a competent physician. , ... . . .