MEDICAL -NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEDICAL -NOTES.

CATCHING COLDS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM. There are some persons who rarely or never catch a cold, and they are not always the fattest or the strongest in muscle, but they are the possessors of a good, sound constitution. Others— they are the most numerous of our acquaintances—catch cold very often. These are the class of delicate persons, the consumptives, the scrofulous, and underfed, and the overworked members of the community, and also those of the nervous temperament and those who lead lives of worry and anxiety. , . Persons who lead lives mostly indoors are much more liable to catarrh, colds in the head, sore throats, influenzas, and bronchitis, than those of an outdoor occupation. Colds are generally caught when the person is below par, and. when weak or exhausted by overwork or want of sleep, or after excess in drink. Inclement weather, of course, is the most usual general cause, and when this is found in conjunction with prolonged exposure, insufficient clothing, and wet boots, it'is not surprising that a cold and illness follow. Draughts of cold damp air often cause a chill, especially in persons who are in a perspiration or in excitement. Medical works tell us. that, speaking .scientifically, three states are combined to produce a coldgiving condition; these are low temperature, over moisture of the ah,- and a current or draught is, motion in tlu air., These three causes tend to abstract heat from the human.body very rapidly and cause jllness. There is in many families a seeming, if not true, hereditary disposition to catch cold, and this form of nature is also liable to nervous disturbances, hysteria, and hypochondriasis. The clothing is a most important matter in the avoidance of colds. We should have ample good clothing, but not too much; to be over-covered up promotes an unnatural excess of perspiration, and conduces to chills. Ii the clothes be deficient, then there is a constant risk of loss of bodily heat. t It is a mistake to overdress any particular part of the body deemed to be delicate. It is now generally agreed by physicians that such a proceeding tends rather to make a part delicate and more liable to get affected if the wrappers have to be. omitted for. some occasion. Many delicate ladies do, no doubt, get illnesses from the fashion of wearing low dresses at night while travelling from house to house, and after being closely clothed all day. The choice of clothing should be made from health considerations rather than ffom ideas of luxury or beauty. Of all materials, undoubtedly, the woollen are the best, being .warm and yet porous; they are far more sanitary than either cotton, linen, or silk. A light, well-ventilated hat is desirable to prevent the hair. getting wet, and sound, thick wide-soled boots are necessities for the feet if health is to be preserved. . More colds are caught from cola, wet' feet, than from any winds blowing on the face or neck. .The daily cold bath or as much cold sponging as is possible are remedies of great power in strengthening a delicate constitution, „: