The Best Way to Cure a Cold.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 76

The Best Way to Cure a Cold.

(By a Family Physician.) The primary cause of a cold is want of pure fresh air. Badly-ventilated living rooms are necessarily full of impure air, and if artificial light—especially gas-light—is used in them the air becomes vitiated. Two predisposing causes of a cold must, be carefully noted. Either the body is exposed when weakened by fatigue or constitutionally depressed to a cold current of air; as on a draughty railway platform to damp sheets or clothes, or even to the devitalised atmosphere resulting from letting a fire before which one has been comfortably dozing get gradually low, or the pores of the skin are opened in a vitiated and warm atmosphere, such as a crowded cnuron, chapel or theatre. These causes may combine, and a cold then becomes doubly severe. Frequently persons ascribe their coldb to going from some warm place to the open air, when, as a matter of fact, they hav c already taken cold in a close, unventilated atmosphere. SUo-ht or partial attacks of cold may bo treated successfully by immediate recourse to fresh, pure air, gently walking tho best part of the day, taking a warm bath at night, soaking the legs in hot mustard and water to remove the head congestion and drinking a warm, thin gruel before sleeping to induce natural perspiration. Ihe windows should be partially open if the We To be /elieve r3 the "stuffy" sensation about the nose, there is nothing better than the application of the tallow candle of our grandmothers. As. however, modern tallow candles frequently contain arsenic, ptam un&alted lard or almost any kind of thick „ be substituted. For the tackline sensation in the throat there as no remedy superior to linseed tea, made by pouriris boiling water on fresh seed then slightly" sweetened, acidulated with lemonjuice, 'and the usual liquorice left out. The tightness of the chest is best relieved by a. warm bath at bed-time, followed by rubbing into tho chest a spoonful of hot olive oil or lanolin, either of which will effect the purpo ac, though the smell of the latter is against its widespread use. If this latter symptom of tightness or pain in the chest is at all severe the patient must bo put to bed in an airy room, a fire burning, and the window a few inches open in clear

weather. There must be only just enough bed-covering to be comfortable. When a warm bath is given it should be in the l^room, tKe wmjows slioiald Ire shut, Evnd the immersion must be all over except the head, and not one part at a time. Fox the first 24 hqurs, or even longer, according, to the, severity •of the symptoms, nothing but a breakfasteuoful of barley watei'an-J niilk, in equal proportions, every foiir libursj and a little fruit must be given. The hand< and face should be sponged with tepid"water night and morning. When.,the severity -of the symptoms- diminishes, bread and milk- macaroni, or rioe pudding, soxip, -or y other.- .light -diet should' be 'Continued , until the appetite, returns and the ordinary diet can be taken, but the- patient had better sei?e j:he first" favourable opportunity 'to get gentle outdoor exercise.. This treatment is for 'the severe form of cola's. Drags;' homoeopathic or allopathic, are really useless, and poultice* are not needed if'the above^directions-air carried out. The ■ thirst is^.best relieved- by grapes, ;fresh lemonade, or tamarind water. To- ftvoid recurrence of the complaint, moderate living, little or no alcohol, which opens the pores of the skin, gentle exercise, moderate clothing, and abundant fresh air are the essential requisites. Besides these general rules, it will be well if persons very liable to colds wi'l take care that no ingress be given to the malady. Thus, if a cold usually commences in the toeth, these should be attended to, and decayed or unhealthy stumps removed. If the eyes are first attacked they must not be unduly tried, exposed to dust, strong artificial light, or bad aiiy If the symptoms commonly commence in the throat, then a daily gargle with cold water should be had. the throat sluiced with cold water, and neither unduly exposed nor muffled up with handkerchiefs, mufflers, boas, or high fur collars. Should the chest or bronchial tubes l>e chiefly affected, the same precautions as to clothinsr must be obs-erved ; porous and not too heav> flannel or other vests should be worn, and misnamed chest "protectors" thrown aside.