HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 16

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

COLDS—HOW AVOIDED AND HOW CAUSED. Now is the season for colds, and singularly prevalent they have been of late, and the type of the present attacks reminds us very much of the dreaded Eussian influenza, that only too recently occupied a position of importance in our vital statistics. Let us briefly consider a few ways of catching cold. By taking too much care, for instance. The healthy need not stay indoors because it is cold, web, or foggy; on the contrary, they should brace up the system by getting out of doors in all weathers —rain, frost, fog, or sunshine. The colder the weather, so much more the need to go out part of each day. The exercise will equalise the circulation, and, besides, in such weather the air of the house will be all the more impure, because doors and windows are kept closed, and there is little chance of the escape of the vitiated products arising from gas-lights, cooking-stoves, &c. In far the larger number of cases colds arise from allowing the body to cool down too quickly after exercise. Exercise heats the body and produces perspiration, and this in turn cools the system ; therefore, when arriving home after exertion, the inclination is rather to put on an extra wrap for a short time than to quickly cast off the overcoat or mantle. Then colds often follow a short nap or prolonged sleep when no extra wrap has been thrown over the sleeper. In sleep the natural production of heat is limited, and we are peculiarly liable to surrounding draughts, and this form of cold is the one most likely to end in bronchitis, pneumonia, or rheumatism. Then there is the favourite method Of getting cold by passing, when over-heated, from the theatre or ball-room without sufficient extra clothing, the waiting for cab or carriage, and talking all the time. Tho lungs contain 600 millions of air-cells, and represent a breathing surface of six square feet, and in health are filled with air at a temperature of 95deg. By breathing with tho mouth closed we prevent these air-cells being cooled down too quickly, as the air passing through the nose is warmed before it reaches the lungs. Clothing is worn, not to produce bodyheat, but to prevent its radiation; hence, flannel and wool, being non-conductors of heat, should be worn next to the skin. And that part of the lungs lying between the shoulder-blades is the portion requiring the most careful protection from the weather; here the lungs are close to the surface and are quickly chilled by cold or wind. The delicate will find an underjacket of porous chamois-leather an excellent protection, and it has the advantage of washing well. Many so-called felt or skin chest-protectors are worn until they teem with microscopic life. Persons very prone to take cold will find the morning cold sponge-bath of great service. The very delicate may begiu with tepid water and pass on to cold. When the first symptoms are felt, uso a hot mustard i!lith and take some hot fluid—coffee, milk, or gruel—and then retire to bed, and sleep between blankets. If tho cold be of a severe type—full pulse, cough, pain and oppression on breathing—-

an adult may tako ton grains of Dover s powder in a little gruel on retiring. Wo know tho glass of hot whisky-and-water is very comforting if taken at the early stage of a cold; but wo cannot recommend it because, after all, a cold is a mild attack of fever, accompanied by more or less inflammation of the membramo lining tho airpassages ; hence anything of a stimulating nature, liko whisky, must increase tho inflammatory action, and tend to usher in bronchitis. — Exchange. I