Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1894 — CATCHING COLD. [ARTICLE]

CATCHING COLD.

Various Ways in Whioh It May B« Dona. Cold, says u medical writer in tha Girl’s Own Paper, may take place from damp or cold feet, or from exposure of the head to cold. Cold may also be caused by breathing dust, and a cold is also freely caught from temporary congestion of the lungs, during hard exercise, as in riding a tricycle. We all know the symptoms of a nasty cold, as we call it. These, however vary even in a cold in the head. Briefly speaking, whatever lessons the animal heat of the body, or drives the blood interiorly, may produce a cold Independent of direct irritation to the lining membrane of the lungs, as from breathing dust or Irritant causes. If wo know the various causes of catarrh, or common cold, .we may better avoid the complaint. It cannot bo wrong, therefore, in mentioning a sow In addition to those named above. First—Sleeping in a damp room. Second—Exposing that portion oi the back that lies between the shoulders to cold in bod. Deli Cate young ladles ought to wear a Shetland shawl in bed as a special protection to this vulnerable region. Third—Standing about in evening dross. Fourth—Omitting to wrap up well before coming out from a heated room or assembly at which you have worn evening dress. If you have been warm ut all, the pores are all opoh, and a chill is so easily caught. Fifth—Riding in an open carriage against the wind, a prolific source of cold. Sixth—Getting wet through and not keeping moving until there is a chance of changing. Seventh—Omitting to wear woollen underclothing in winter and spring. Eighth—Remaining too long in the bath, whether cold or tepid. The cold bath is a tonic, but do not forget that a plunge or two is enough. Ninth—Sitting on a damp seat or on wet grass. Tenth—Sitting in the draught. Eleventh—Sitting in a room without a fire. Twelfth—Going to bed in a too cold room. There are many other causes, but I dare say these will serve every use l ful purpose. Some people, especially young and anaemic girls, have a susceptibility to catching cold. This should be changed, and 1 firmly believe can lie, by taking plenty of exercise in the open air and the cool sponge bath every morning. If you have never tried this health giving bath, I think you ought to do so. No occasion to have it quite cold on the first morning. I should permit you just to take the chill off, but reduce the dash of hot water every day until you can take the bath at the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere. You will then begin to find the bracing effects of the bath, and ns a preventive to cold it stands to reason that if you can bear a dozen large spoonfuls of the coldest water over you, and find it beneficial and pleasureable, a puff or two of cold wind isn’t going to lay you up for a month.