Colds

Colds

Upper respiratory infections in the baby and young child are very common. Although few of these are caused by bacteria, such as the Streptococcus or diphtheria organisms, most sore throats are viral infections, More than one hundred different viruses can cause the same syndrome, so there is little likelihood that vaccinations will be developed as preventives. The principal measures that parents can use to prevent troublesome runny noses, sore throats, and similar congestion in their youngsters are the following:

1. A diet low in refined sugar allows the body to defend itself better against invading germs. The white blood cells are better able to ingest bacteria (called phagocytosis) on a low sugar diet and recovery time will be hastened.

2. A second factor is adequate clothing. In damp or rainy weather, the extremities should be clothes and the feet kept dry. The use of overshoes, raincoats, and umbrellas, although not fashionable with the younger set can definitely help to protect their health and prevent lost days from school for minor illness.

3. Adequate fluid intake, plenty of rest at night, and some outdoor exercise on a daily basis will help to keep young bodies healthy and prevent colds.

4. Baths should be terminated with a brief rub down. To improve circulation in the skin use the cold mitten friction ( Shown below) for a minute or so in a cold shower, especially as the child gets older.

5. A happy disposition also goes a long way toward improving the body’ s resistance to viral respiratory disease. If one does take cold, the above measures will still prove healthful. A spare diet for a day with increased bed rest and an abundant supply of fluids aids the body toward a quick recovery. The use of a vaporizer by the bedside, usually of the hot steam variety, will increase the flow of mucus and relieve congestion. When bronchitis sets in and a hoarse, raspy cough develops, the vaporizer may make the difference between sleep and a fitful night of coughing with chest pain. Simple COUGH SYRUPS can be made at home with honey. To one cup of honey add 6 to 8 drops of eucalyptus oil,available at most pharmacies. Mix in a tablespoon or two of lemon juice for palatability. When this mixture is thoroughly stirred, the honey-eucalyptus cough syrup may be taken one teaspoonful at a time every four hours to relieve the discomfort.

A simple remedy for sore throat is the heating compress. Bacterial cultures of the throat should be taken if the fever is high or the soreness unduly prolonged. This is to be sure a Strep. Infection or Infectious Mononucleosis has not developed. Most viral illnesses are self-limited and quickly cured by alert parents trained in the basics of home nursing.

Cold Mitten Friction
One of the finest hydrotherapy measures for stimulating blood flow in the skin is the cold mitten friction (CMF). Enhanced circulation benefits the entire body. As a tonic, the skillfully performed CMF is better than anything found in a bottle. After fomentations, a CMF treatment is excellent to close the pores and tone up the skin. It heightens nerve and muscle tone, and skin sensibility. Heat production is increased, as well as tissue oxidation. Reflex effects in the internal organs induce stimulation of muscular, glandular, and metabolic activities. Helping to fight infections and fevers, the CMF increases antibody production and phagocytosis (where white blood cells destroy and “eat” harmful germs). Thus, it builds up general body resistance and is helpful for those suffering from frequent colds. For individuals sensing a lack of energy, particularly when the habits of coffee or tobacco are being eliminated, this treatment is invaluable.


A wash cloth can be used to deliver the cold mitten friction. However, it is more effective to sew a thick hand towel into the form of a mitten. This mitten is dipped into ice water, wrung out lightly, and rubbed briskly on the skin, up and down two or three times. The upper extremities are treated first, beginning with the fingers and rubbing alternately up to the shoulders. Each extremity is dried and covered before the next portion gets treated. The chest and abdomen are rubbed briskly with the friction mitts, then dried and covered. The lower extremities are treated similarly, finishing with the back.The friction is given as vigorously as the patient can tolerate it, repeated until the skin is nice and pink. This so-called “vascular gymnastics” is one of the finest physiologic tonics known. A CMF is so simple that one can do it to him or herself after the shower each morning for a quick “jump start.”