Colds. (Coryza.  Acute Nasal Catarrh.  Acute Rhinitis).—­This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose.

Causes.—­Exposure to cold or wet when the body is overheated; sudden or extreme changes in the atmosphere; inhaling irritating fumes or dust.

Symptoms.—­A chilly feeling, limbs ache, tendency to sneeze, severe headache above the nose, eyes are dry, stopped-up feeling in the nostrils.  Then there is a thin watery discharge, usually of an irritating character, very thin at first, but it soon becomes thicker; sometimes the ears ring (tinnitus).  The nose and lining is red and swollen.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Colds.  Borax for Cold Settled in Throat.  “For a cold in the throat, dissolve a piece of borax, the size of a pea, in the mouth and don’t talk.  It will work like a charm.”  This is an old and well tried remedy and is very good for colds or sore throat.  It acts by contracting the tissues and in that way there is less congestion in the parts.

[Respiratory diseases 11]

2.  Colds, Valuable Caution and Treatment for.—­Mrs. Maxwell, of Cleveland, writes in the Cleveland Press as follows:  “If you intend to treat the cold yourself, take it up at the outset.  Don’t wait for it to develop.  To break it up, nothing is better than the full hot bath at bed time, or the foot bath with mustard, followed by a hot drink.  It is old-fashioned, but scientific, for nine colds out of ten are due to clogged pores.  Benjamin Franklin said a hundred years ago that all colds come from impure air, lack of exercise, and over-eating, and nobody has ever bettered his conclusion.  Even contagious colds will not be taken if the bodily resistance is kept at par.  More fresh air, less grip.  Avoid people who have colds, and keep out of badly ventilated rooms.  Stuffy street cars are responsible for half the hard colds, not because people get chilled, but because the air is foul.  And when you have a cold keep away from the baby.  If the baby takes a cold, let it have medical attention at once.  Don’t experiment upon it with remedies intended for grown-ups.”

3.  Colds, Molasses-Vinegar Syrup for.—­“One-half cup of molasses, butter the size of a hickory nut, one tablespoon vinegar, boil together.  Dose:  One teaspoonful or less as the case requires.  Take often until relieved.”  This is an old remedy and a good one.

4.  Colds, Quinine and Ginger for.—­“Give plenty of quinine and drink hot water with ginger in it.”  Quinine, as we all know, is an old remedy for colds and therefore we all know how it acts.  The ginger warms up the system and produces sweating.  Care should be taken when using this remedy not to take cold, as the pores are all opened by the quinine.

5.  Colds, Boneset for.—­“Boneset tea steeped and drank cold cures a cold.”  Boneset simply acts by causing a better circulation in the system and in that way sweating is produced and we all know that a good sweat will usually cure a cold if taken in time.