HEALTH NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20450, 3 July 1928, Page 7

HEALTH NOTES.

COMMON COLD. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. Contributed' by the Department of Health. More people probably suffer from common colds with the advent of winter than from any other single ailment. The importance of the so-called common cold is, therefore, obvious. The condition itself is unwisely considered so trifling that rigorous individuals usually do not permit the disease to hamper their daily pursuits, and in consequence promiscuous association continues without precautions. The result is that colds usually go through families, schools, and business groups, and rapidly become scattered in many different small epidemics throughout the city communities. Could the sum total of suffering, inconveniences, sequelae, and economic loss resulting from common colds be obtained it might well show that in this respect this simple malady is more important than many graver conditions. In fact, the prevention of the spread of the common cold would have much collateral good in aiding the suppression of tuberculosis and causing a diminution of pneumonia and other infections. NEGLECTED COLDS. The risks of neglected colds are twofold, to the individual and to the community at large. In the first place, there is considerable danger of the cold producing more serious infections, such as bronchitis, laryngitis, and broncho-pneumonia. Secondly, during the course of the condition by sneezing, coughing, and spitting, there occurs an indiscriminate scattering of saliva and nasvl 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. There are two kinds of common colds—the cold caught from other people and the me contracted even though colds are not prevalent in the population. People who tiave adenoids or diseased tonsils or are run down are likely to have either kind. Very few colds would develop into serious illness if the person who has the cold were wise enough to take proper care of limself the first day or two. Rest in bed if possible, or at least indoors, is advisable, if the victim feels weak, as weakness may be a sign of influenza. A laxative should be taken. Plenty of cold water should be taken, and a light amount d£ simple, nourishing food. Breathing steam or using salt-water nasal douche, if the doctor advises it, may relieve the stopped-up ” feeling. At night, before going to bed, a hot bath, or at least a liot foot bath, is recommendoed. After trying, the sufferer should be covered up in bed with extra blankets, so as to ‘sweat the cold out of the; system.” A not drink, such as lemon, assists perspiration. When, besides the general symptoms of a cold, fever occurs and the back if the legs ache badly, probably influenza is indicated, and a doctor’s advice should be immediately sought. PROTECTION OF CHILDREN. Common colds are frequently followed iy pneumonia. This is particularly true in very young children. Now the question comes: What can be done to protect these children? Since all colds, Coughs, md other diseases of the air passages ire catching, it follows that the same irecautions against infection should be iollowed with these common disorders as with the more serious disorders. While it is difficult to prevent colds entirely, there are certain things which should always be done. It is important to keep the germs of this disease from getting into the mouth and nose. Older children -an be taught to wash the hands carefully immediately before eating, and to keep their hands and all things which nay have been handled by others away from the mouth and nose. Infants, of course, will put their hands into their nouths, but it is not necessary to give them much-handled articles. Using jne’s own handkerchief to wipe a baby’s rose is dangerous, as is the practice of some mothers of tasting the baby’s f' i. then handing the child the same spoon, ft is important to keep the rooms of the muse at moderate temperature. Air in the winter time is much drier than it other seasons, especially if the rooms ire kept too warm, and is more irritating to the membranes of the air passages. Babies and young children need sunight as well as older people. Do not reep a well child indoors just because it is cold out of doors. Protect the baby well and put him out where he will get he sunlight. If a child has a cold t i ;afest to keep him in bed for a Jew lays until the acute stage is past. Keep ill dishes and other articles used by the aatient separate, and boil or otherwise lisinfect them before their use by others, fn other words, colds should be considered contagious, and the same sort of ;are taken as with epidemic diseases. GENERAL ADVICE. Keep the body built up by eating nourishing food, observing regular sleeping lours, exercising outdoors in the sunshine, and drinking plenty of water daily. Praia the skin to stand changes in temperature by frequent bathing. Wear sensible clothing. Breathe through the aose. Air is filtered as it passes along the nasal passage on it way tc the lungs. See a doctor if difficulty of breathing through the nose is experienced. Live and work in well-ventilated rooms. Finally, if you have a cold see that you do not cOnve- it to others by personal neglect of simple precautionary measures, for there is no reason why a cold should spread through a home if these measures are observed. The individual who coughs and sneezes over the other occupants in a tram or place of public gathering is deliberately spreading infection and endangering the health of the community.