OCR Text |
Show Many "Colds" Caused by Poor Ventilation! To find better preventive methods, doctors in recent years have been studying the common cold more carefully care-fully than ever, and two authorities have summarized the supposed causes of this affliction under live headings: chills and drafts, conditions of the weather, irritation of tlie membrane on the breathing apparatus, infection and bad ventilation. The last is regarded re-garded as the commonest of all the causes, as warm stagnant air produces congestion and swelling in the mucous , membrane which becomes covered with a thick secretion and affords a weak spot for germs to attack. In cool air, this membrane remains taut and well moistened. Then, in a poorly poor-ly ventilated room, cold currents of air are likely to strike the feet while the head is exposed to the warm, polluted upper atmosphere. This is just the reverse of what Is considered the ideal condition for health, "cool breezes blowing around tlie head, the radiant heat of the sun, and a warm ground to stand on." Exposure alone will not cause colds in healthy individuals, indi-viduals, the doctors declare. Arctic explorers, fishermen, and others who remain out of doors for long hours in stormy, cold weather, often seem immune im-mune from these disorders. Irritation of (he mucous membrane of the respiratory res-piratory passages by dusts and chem- 1S also a common cause of colds. "Dul:lr Mechanics Magazine |