p. 319 | Colds May Be Avoided by John Nevins Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 12, 1875

Colds May Be Avoided.

By John Nevins Andrews

It is one of the excellent features of the Health Reform that it teaches us such admirable methods of curing colds, or if this last term be inadmissible, we will say such admirable methods of curing ourselves of these common ills. But there is something better than cure. It is prevention. Health reformers should not have colds except at least on very rare occasions. We will not say that colds can invariably be prevented, but we do say that in a great majority of cases this is not only possible but entirely practicable. Persons whose stomachs are not deranged by improper food, nor by irregularity in eating between meals, and whose skin is kept clean and properly toned by the judicious use of water, of a proper temperature, and whose clothing does not impede the circulation, but gives to every part of the system reasonable protection from the weather, especially keeping the feet dry and warm, and allowing the head to be cool, such persons are in that condition which will not readily take on a cold, but will enable them to resist its attack. With discreet management they may, under all ordinary circumstances, wholly avoid colds.

The writer speaks not simply as a theorist, but as one who has had an experience that has been valuable and instructive to himself. He knows very well that circumstances do arise which compel even the strictest and most careful persons to expose themselves to the danger of colds. And he has learned, also that if this be at a time of great exhaustion from over-labor, it is then nearly impossible to resist such attacks. And while he would not recommend to any that they bring themselves to this condition, for it is certainly not the principles of health reform that leads to this; he must admit that there are duties and obligations more sacred than the preservation of health, which justify and even constrain us to this state of extreme weariness. Unavoidable exposure when we are thus exhausted is one of those things which make colds nearly impossible to be resisted. But the most of the colds which prevail are quite unnecessary, and with proper care in regard to the laws of health may be wholly avoided.

1. It should be a fixed purpose with us that we will not have a cold. No person can have one without the risk of decided injury, and to some the consequences may be dangerous or even fatal.

2. This resolute determination never to take cold will not only cause us to avoid exposing ourselves carelessly, but it will give wonderful power to resist a cold when it may, for the time, seem inevitable. For we may educate ourselves to feel the first tendency in that direction.

3. And this will not make us act in a foolish or unbecoming manner. It will not make us constantly worry and complain, and thus annoy all who are near us. We need not feel thus at all, for we may be sure that we can resist the danger.

4. But how shall we do this? Stop at once and think. You will presently discover the particular source of your danger. This is at least one-half the battle, for generally a very small change will be found sufficient to meet the case.

5. Thus when you have determined where you feel the approach of the evil, there make, not a great change, but a moderate one, and you will at once be relieved. If it be in your feet, a pair of thicker stockings, or a clean dry pair, or a change from thin shoes to heavier ones, or to boots, will be found quite sufficient.

6. If you feel the need of protection at some other point or quarter, a thicker coat or vest, or an undershirt, or a pair of drawers, or of thicker pantaloons will fully relieve you. If you will observe when you first feel the danger of a cold you will find that a very small change is all that is necessary.

7. When you find yourself in a draft of air, get out of it. No matter how refreshing a cool breeze may be to you, do not sit down in it for a moment. I mean when you are in the house; for under proper circumstances this may be done with impunity in the open air. If you are in a place of assembly and are thus exposed, put on your hat and overcoat or shawl, or better yet, move out of the draft.

8. If your clothes are even slightly wet when you come in to sit down, change them for dry ones. If you have no dry ones, keep walking till those you have on are dried. Be determined that you will not take cold. Wetting the clothes or wetting the feet is not dangerous if we change our clothes, or our stockings, as soon as we cease our active exercise.

9. Health reformers understand very well that they should change their underclothes at night, and that they should never sleep in those which they have worn during the day. When it is possible so to do, if they will hang their clothes around the fire when they lie down, they will be surprised to find how great a safeguard this will be against colds, and how much more acceptable they will be to them when they put them on in the morning.

It is not my purpose to tell you how to break up deep seated colds. But I will say to those who can afford such treatment, that abstinence from food, perfect quiet, with a wise use of baths, will be found admirable to give relief. But I beg you not to take cold. You need not be spleeny in these things, however. Use good common sense. Learn how to live without colds. Learn how easy under ordinary circumstances it is to resist their approach, or even to repel them when they have gained some advantage over you. These things are worthy of your thoughtful observation. Set up your will that you will not come under the power of this unpleasant evil, and maintain that determination with a wise use of simple common sense.

J. N. ANDREWS.