This is the season of coughs and colds. A great deal can be done towards keeping immune from colds by building up resistance to withstand the germ infection. Wearing suitable clothing (which should be warm without being stuffy), giving attention to diet, having as much exercise, fresh air and sunshine as you can get, maintaining proper personal hygiene, avoiding hot stuffy rooms and crowded buildings, and, last but not least, keeping your distance from infected persons—these are the important factors in keeping fit.

If you have a heavy head, dry throat, and that cold shivery feeling, it is well to take precautions. Take a hot bath and get right to bed, with a hot-water bottle and an extra blanket, have hot lemon drinks or milk and perhaps two aspirin tablets. This treatment should break up the “cold” if the infection is not severe, and you should be well in the morning, otherwise you must keep to your room and bed for a day or two and take precautions not to spread the infection.

It is especially necessary for anyone with a cold not to come in contact with sick or elderly folk, as they are predisposed to infection owing to their lowered vitality and powers of resistance. So do not visit sick friends in hospital until you are quite recovered and free of infection.

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