COLD-PREVENTING.
IN discussing the question of cold- catching, the other question of cold-avoiding comes in as a matter of course. to all persons about to take cold in the ways above mentioned, the laconic advice of Mr. Punch comes naturally to our minds-don’t. But unhappily we cannot always choose our circumstances, and therefore it is desirable to fortify ourselves against the contingencies alluded to. And, fortunately, there is much to be done in the way of COLD PREVENTING.
One of the chief precautions against cold is the avoidance of “coddling.” The muffler is a great snare. It is much better to accustom he neck to bear a certain amount of exposure, giving i he protections of collar and tie, but nothing more. Sometimes the muffler is relied on as the sole extra wrap on a cold way. If a child has a few yards of knitted stuff twisted around its neck, the fond parent is apt to feel that there is no need to attend to its back and chest. But the muffler will no fill the part of an overcoat, which is the garment really needed.
In speaking of the morning bath,
I have indicated its usefulness for this purpose in those whose constitutions are suitable. and I have also pointed out the value of inunction with oil, such as salad oil, in hose whose skins are poor. a very small quantity, about a teaspoonful, will suffice to go over the whole body, if this is done at night, and a woolen sleeping dress worm, the cold bath may be taken without risk and with advantage in the morning, provided there is good reaction is not good, a dry-rubbing must suffice. In children who are chilly and liable to colds, nothing is better than inunction every night with cod-liver oil. They must, of course, be wrapped in flannel night-dresses.
The other is not of the pleasantest, but the good effect is so great that this is a small consideration. the child may be sponged in the morning, and briskly rubbed before dressing, and no unpleasant odour will then be detected.
There is another substitute for the morning tub which will probably be found more acceptable o many than the last and, and that is sponging with spirits of wine. contact with wear increases chilliness, but contact with spirit diminishes i. One or two tablespoonfuls of spirit of wine may be poured into a saucer and taken u with small sponge. this may then be passed rapidly all over the body, and the clothes immediately put on.
The spirit dries at once, so there is no need of toweling afterwards. the effect of this is to impart a feeling of warmth which not infrequently lasts the entire day. this is especially valuable to those who are excessively sensitive to the effects of damp.
In the prevention of colds, nothing is of greater importance than the question of CLOTHING.
In a changeable climate like that of our country, persons who are at all susceptible to changes in the temperature and weather should be so clothed that they are in a constant state of preparation.
There are some who have such active circulations that their skins are never chilly whatever the state of the atmosphere may be. these have a natural defence, and need take no special precautions. they may wear what they like best cotton, or sick, or wool. But these are the fortunate few. Others who are less highly endowed should wear next their skin, and completely encasing their bodies, a material which will retain retain bodily heat and electricity whilst allowing the escape of the perspiration, much of which comes away in the form of watery vapour. the best of all material of this kind is wool. Dr. jaeger deserves the thanks of all for the attention he has given to this subject, although like most men with hobbies he is apt to ride his too hard.
A complete suit of woolen underclothing is the best possible protection against sudden chilling. and the night-dress may be made of the same material if there is any occasion o be about at night or any difficulty in keeping warm.
There are some whose skins are so sensitive that they cannot endure the contact of wool in any form. For them silk is the best. But silk is not so warm as wool, and not so efficient a protection.
