Show Common Sense Will Kill the Common Cold It takes a week to cure a cold but ut it cures itself in seven days runs uns an old saw Though medical re- re research research search earch is finding effective cold anti-cold drugs rugs a cold is self-limiting self and un- un uness unless unless less ess complications set in the suf- suf sufferer sufferer ferer gets well anyway We know that the cause of the common cold is a virus and that lat the virus is highly contagious Theoretically the fellow with a cold should hould isolate himself during the acute cute two-day two incubation period But ut most cold carriers consider themselves too indispensable to stay tay home and consequently the rest est of us are doomed to inherit the he virus and catch cold Specialists say that during the first stage of an acute cold local nasal asal treatment is of no value and may produce uncomfortable sec- sec secondary secondary reaction The medical profession profession sion lon is is anxious to help the layman choose hoose proper medication because of f the hundreds available most do domor more mor harm than good It is unfortunate unfortunate that the alkalinity of certain nasal asal preparations has been so ex- ex extolled extolled tolled oiled over the radio It is now known mown that should be slightly lightly acid Of the available liquid nasal asal preparations antiseptics and silvers are often more irritating than helpful while gargles are usually ineffective in killing or even inhibit- inhibit inhibiting inhibiting ing ng bacteria according to an article in n Coronet magazine Sulfa Drugs Useless While the sulfas have little or no effect fleet on the common cold virus they tiey are effective against many types of bacteria and consequently may when sprayed or dropped into nto the nose serve nose serve a useful purpose pur- pur purpose the and pose ose in preventing spread shortening the duration of infection after the first acute stage of the cold But theres there's danger as well welI as miracle in the sulfas and even these preparations should be used by the of layman ayman only on the advice physician There are also a great many nasal inhalers on sale Yet only three of them contain a therapeutic ingredient which actually shrinks and mucous membrane the he nasal promotes ventilation and drainage Those inhalers which are advertised often claim to make mal e to o the public the nose feel clear in seconds Be Be- Because Because Because cause of cooling menthol they do make the nose feel clearer but that's all Actually they irritate the nasal membrane and are of no medicinal value whatsoever The common cold must run its course But its course can be short short- shortened shortened shortened ened and its potential dangers can be minimized and heres here's how Make i the first sign of a cold a slow down I signal If you cant can't spend a day or orso orso I Iso so in bed bcd get extra sleep Keep warm and dry Dont Don't over I. I U If the air in your house is too dry I a copious jet of steam flowing from I the kitchen kettle will help moisten the dry mucous membrane Only when the later symptoms are in evidence has the time come for medication Then it is important to get the right medication Its It's easy to telephone your doctor for advice |