An Ounce of Prevention

Winter knocks at the doors, and it must be received, and its procession welcomed, even though it brings with it the heavy garment and the ungainly shoe; and over and above this and that, it comes with a collection of ailments simple and compound, foremost among them the cold, the chest cold, inflammation of the throat and lungs, and swelling of the extremities..

All these ailments can be avoided by good food, warm clothing, and a moderate temperature in the house..

Avoid, Madam, places crowded with people, and do not sit in a draft; and if you feel chilled, hasten to take a hot bath, take two "aspirin" tablets and a dose of alcohol, then hurry to bed. It is best to keep to the house if you catch a cold; in this condition aspirin tablets or a "codeine" compound will help you. If your condition improves within forty-eight hours, keep to your bed one more day for rest, then take up your work again; but if improvement eludes you, try to consult the doctor. And remember that too much food is harmful in such a state, so do not eat unless you feel the need—otherwise make do with liquids such as tea, orange juice, and barley water, or any liquid at all, provided it is not an intoxicant...

If a sore throat strikes you, put a silk band around your neck, do not leave the house, and drink plenty of hot water; "gargling" every four hours with hot water and "soda" powder will do you good; and if the discomfort increases, you must consult the doctor...

An attack of "rheumatism" calls for prompt advice from the clinic, and the matter requires that the sufferer keep to bed.

As for "bronchitis," or inflammation of the bronchial tubes, it is more dangerous than everything we have mentioned. The patient needs warmth, and then to remain in a ventilated room. This is the disease of late winter; its treatment demands complete rest and obedience to the doctor's instructions. In its earliest symptoms it helps the patient to set a jug of water boiling on the fire to moisten the air, and then to take repeated doses of liquids and hot water; the old remedies also help, such as rubbing the chest with camphor oil and covering it with a warm wrap. Chronic "bronchitis," however, is another matter: it is a succession of troublesome coughing, especially at night...

Men are usually more exposed to it than women. The sufferer must avoid high temperatures, breathe fresh air, wear comfortable clothes, and cut down on smoking; and if the cough grows insistent, then to the soothing remedies.

Swelling of the extremities is another phenomenon among the diseases of winter; to avoid it, one must keep one's hands and feet warm. The curse of this affliction falls upon women more than men, and adolescents are more exposed to it than others. Women were safe from it in the days when a lady wore the long dress and the heavy woolen stockings... and... do not forget, Madam, that moderate warmth is the greatest guardian of your health; so beware of severe cold; and there is no harm in putting a hot-water bottle in your bed.

If you follow these instructions, the cold, the chill, and the swelling of the extremities can be warded off... and that, in turn, will spare you the doctor's treatment!