Definition

This is what everybody knows as a cold in the nose or cold in the head.

Etiology

Its cause is toxin poisoning from intestinal decomposition of food. Toxin poisoning is the chronic state of the patient when catching cold becomes a habit. The exciting cause of a cold may be overeating, resulting in an extra amount of indigestion or constipation. Lowered resistance from any influence that uses up nerve energy may be the cause of a cold.

Symptoms

The patient feels indisposed. Perhaps he has a chill, headache, backache, ache in the legs; or he may simply be inconvenienced by the discomfort in his head and nose--a headache and a running at the nose. The temperature will be very light--possibly 101° F. The mucous membrane of the nose becomes very greatly irritated and swollen, so that it is impossible for the patient to breathe through both nostrils at the same time, and sometimes both nostrils are stopped up. The secretion is a thin, clear fluid, almost like water. But it is sometimes very irritating to the mucous membrane, and also to the skin of the lips and face with which it comes in contact. Sometimes the tear-ducts are swollen, so that the water runs out of the eyes profusely, The eyes themselves become engorged. Where the disease extends down the nasal passage, there may develop pharyngitis, and even laryngitis. After twenty-four or thirty-six hours the secretion becomes thicker and heavier, perhaps yellowish. In thirty-six hours the secretion is a greenish yellow.

Treatment

Stop eating, drink freely of hot water, and compel the bowels to move thoroughly by using several enemas, if necessary. There is no objection to a laxative, on the order of castor oil. But if the patient wants to get well quickly and thoroughly, he should stay away from food.