p. 12 | How to Cure a Cold by C. H. Shepard

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1902

How to Cure a Cold

By C. H. Shepard

To make a radical cure of a cold, let the patient abstain entirely from food for at least twenty-four hours. Should the bowels be at all inactive, it is desirable that they be thoroughly flushed with warm water. The patient should drink freely of pure water, taking a brisk walk in the open air, and then a Turkish bath. This may be followed by an oil rub, sometimes called a Roman bath, which mollifies the skin, making it more flexible and active. He will find a permanent benefit therefrom. The internal pressure will be relieved, and the cure perfected. Necessarily, chronic cases need more persevering treatment, but each day will show progress, and only perseverance is needed to triumph ultimately over the morbid action. If colds were always promptly and properly treated, there would be many less cases of influenza, pneumonia, or even consumption to be cared for. It would be like turning the stream in the right direction at the fountain head. We well know that many victims of influenza do not regain their normal condition of health for several years afterward.

When this plan is faithfully carried out, the individual is free from any symptom of disease, rarely finds a handkerchief necessary, or even a need of clearing the throat. The converse may be quickly proved by a short season of greasy and highly seasoned food, and an extra meal added to the usual supply. The old proverb, “Feed a cold and starve a fever,” is an absurdity; for one suffering with a cold has already an inward fever on hand; and the more he is fed, the worse he will become. Feed a cold, and you will be sure to have a fever to starve.

All harassing forms of coughing can be avoided by simply obeying the laws of health. The cough is a process of nature to relieve itself of impurities, which are then thrown off by the mucous membrane instead of by the usual excretory organs. By purifying the system, by eliminating the impurities through the natural channels, we relieve the determination of the blood and nervous energy to the mucous membrane, and the cough vanishes. By drinking freely of hot water every hour, this happy result can be materially hastened. This is much better than taking the ordinary cough mixtures, which disorder digestion and spoil the appetite. The water should be taken as hot as can be borne, and it relieves by promoting the secretions as well as the expectoration.

A simple “cold in the head” may be successfully treated by drawing hot water into the nostrils and then blowing it out, repeating the process several times, until the nose is thoroughly cleaned. This is a simple and effective way of strengthening the membranes. It is both soothing and curative, and may be done morning and evening while washing the face. Whenever hoarseness is apparent, the one remedy is rest.

Like other diseases, a cold is not a thing which leaves no trace. It should be treated with as much care as would be given to many other diseases. If neglected, it is liable to bring on serious complications. Every period of disease through which a person passes, whatever its nature, is a permanent impairment of the vitality. Therefore, catching cold, or the beginning of any disease, is to be avoided as much as the losing of a valued possession. Lack of attention to such matters, which seem so simple in themselves, causes one to grow old sooner than he otherwise would.

For those in fair health, the practice of cold bathing in the morning is to be commended, particularly if a warm shower precedes the cold, or a short season in a warm room precedes the cold plunge. This is then most invigorating, and helps to tone up the skin to be unmindful of external changes of temperature, and makes the person less liable to take cold.—C. H. Shepard, M. D.