Chapter VII.Of Colds.Sect.123.There are many erroneous Prejudices, with Regard to Colds, all of which may be attended with pernicious Consequences. The first is, that a Cold is never dangerous; an Error which daily destroys the Lives of many. I have already complained of it for many Years past; and I have since beheld a Multitude of such Examples of it, as have but too sufficiently warranted my Complaints.No Person however, it is certain, dies merely of a Cold, as long as it is nothing but a Cold simply; but when, from Inattention and Neglect, it is thrown upon, and occasions Distempers of the Breast, it may, and often does, prove mortal.Colds destroy more than Plagues, was the Answer of a very sagacious and experienced Physician to one of his Friends, who, being asked, how he was in Health, replied, Very well, I have nothing but a Cold.A second erroneous Prejudice is, that Colds require no Means, no Medicines, and that they last the longer for being nursed, or tampered with. The last Article may be true indeed, withRespect to the Method, in which the Person affected with them treats them; but the Principle itself is false. Colds, like other Disorders, have their proper Remedies; and are removed with more or less Facility, as they are conducted better or worse.§ 124. A third Mistake is, that they are not only considered as not dangerous, but are even supposed wholesome too. Doubtless a Man had better have a Cold than a more grievous Disease; though it must be still better to have neither of them. The most that can reasonably be said and admitted on this Point, is, that when a checked, or an obstructed Perspiration becomes the Cause of a Distemper, it is fortunate that it produces rather a Cold, than any very dreadful Disease, which it frequently does: though it were to be wished, that neither the Cause, nor its Effect existed. A Cold constantly produces some Disorder or Defect in the Functions of some Part or Parts of the Body, and thus becomes the Cause of a Disease. It is indeed a real Disorder itself, and which, when in a violent Degree, makes a very perceivable Assault upon our whole Machine. Colds, with their Defluxions, considerably weaken the Breast, and sooner or later considerably impair the Health. Persons subject to frequent Colds are never robust or strong; they often sink into languid Disorders; and a frequent Aptitude to take Cold is a Proof, that their Perspiration may be easily checked and restrained; whence the Lungs become oppressed and obstructed, whichmust always be attended with considerable Danger.§ 125. We may be convinced of the Weakness and Fallacy of these Prejudices, by considering attentively the Nature of Colds; which are nothing else than the very Diseases already described in the three preceding Chapters, though in their greatest Degree only.A Cold in Truth is almost constantly an inflammatory Disease; a light Inflammation of the Lungs, or of the Throat; of the Membrane or very thin Skin, which lines the Nostrills, and the Inside of certain Cavities in the Bones of the Cheeks and Forehead. These Cavities communicate with the Nose, in such a Manner, that when one Part of this Membrane is affected with an Inflammation, it is easily communicated to the other Parts.§ 126. It is scarcely necessary to describe the Symptoms of a Cold, and it may be sufficient to remark, 1. That their chief Cause is the same with that, which most commonly produces the Diseases already treated of, that is, an obstructed Perspiration, and a Blood somewhat inflamed. 2. That whenever these Diseases affect great Numbers, many Colds prevail at the same Time. 3. That the Symptoms which manifest a violent Cold, greatly resemble those which precede or usher in these Diseases. People are rarely attacked by great Colds, without a shivering and Fever; which last sometimes continues for many Days. There is a Cough, a dry Cough, for someTime; after which some Expectoration ensues; which allays the Cough, and lightens the Oppression; at which Time the Cold may be said to be maturated, or ripe. There are pretty often slight Stitches, but unfixed or flying about, with a little Complaint of the Throat. When the Nostrills happen to be the Seat of the Disorder, which is then very improperly termed a Cold of the Brain, it is often attended with a vehement Head-ach; which sometimes depends on an Irritation of the Membrane, that lines the Cavities in the Bone of the Forehead, or the maxillary Sinusses, that is, the Cavities in the Jaws: At first the Running from the Nose is very clear; thin and sharp; afterwards, in Proportion to the Abatement of the Inflammation, it becomes thicker; and the Consistence and Colour of it resemble those of what others cough up. The Smell, the Taste and the Appetite are commonly impaired by it.§ 127. Colds seem to be of no certain Duration or Continuance. Those of the Head or Brain generally last but a few Days; of the Breast longer. Some Colds nevertheless terminate in four or five Days. If they extend beyond this Term they prove really hurtful. 1. Because the Violence of the Cough disorders the whole Machine; and particularly, by forcing up the Blood to the Head. 2. By depriving the Person afflicted of his usual Sleep, which is almost constantly diminished by it. 3. By impairing the Appetite, and confusing the Digestion,which is unavoidably lessened by it. 4. By weakening the very Lungs, by the continual Agitations from Coughing; whence all the Humours being gradually determined towards them, as the weakest Part, a continual Cough subsists. Hence also they become overcharged with Humours, which grow viscid there; the Respiration is overloaded and oppressed; a slow Fever appears; Nutrition almost ceases; the Patient becomes very weak; sinks into a Wasting; an obstinate Wakefulness and Anguish, and often dies in a short Time. 5. By Reason that the Fever, which almost constantly accompanies great Cold, concurs to wear the body down.§ 128. Wherefore, since a Cold is a Disease of the same kind with Quinsies, Peripneumonies and Inflammations of the Breast, it ought to be treated in the same Manner. If it is a violent one, Blood should be taken from the Arm, which may considerably shorten its Duration: and this becomes most essentially necessary, whenever the Patient is of a sanguineous ruddy Complexion, abounds with Blood, and has a strong Cough, and great Head-ach. The DrinksNº. 1,2,3,4, should be very plentifully used. It is advantagious to bathe the Feet in warm Water every Night at going to Bed.32In a Word, if the Patientis put into a Regimen, the Cure is very speedily effected.§ 129. The Disorder indeed, however, is often so very slight, that it may be thought to require very little, if any, medical Treatment, and may be easily cured without Physick, by abstaining from Flesh, Eggs, Broth, and Wine; from all Food that is sharp, fat and heavy; and by dieting upon Bread, Pulse, Fruit, and Water; particularly by eating little or no Supper; and drinking, if thirsty, a simple Ptisan of Barley, or an Infusion of Elder Flowers, with the Addition of a third or fourth Part of Milk. Bathing the Feet, and the PowderNº. 20contribute to dispose the Patient to sleep. Five Tea-Cups of an Infusion of the Red, or wild Poppy Leaves may also be ventured on safely.§ 130. When the Fever, Heat and Inflammation wholly disappear; when the Patient has kept to his Regimen for some Days, and his Blood is well diluted, if the Cough and Want of Sleep still continues, he may take in the Evening a Dose of Storax33Pill, or of Venice Treacle withElder FlowerTea, after bathing his Feet. These Remedies by stilling the Cough, and restoring Perspiration, frequently cure the Cold in the Space of one Night. I confess at the same Time, I have seen bad Consequences from such Opiates, when given too early in the Complaint. It is also necessary, when they are given, that the Patient should have supt but very moderately, and that his Supper should be digested.§ 131. An immense Number of Remedies are cried up for the Cure of Colds; such as Ptisans of Apples or Pippins, of Liquorice, of dry Raisins, of Figs, of Borage, of Ground-Ivy, ofVeronicaor Speedwell, of Hysop, of Nettles,&c. &c.I have no Design to depreciate them; as all of them may possibly be useful: But unfortunately, those who have seen any particular one of them succeed in one Case, readily conclude it to be the most excellent of them all; which is a dangerous Error, because no one Case is a sufficient Foundation to decide upon: which besides none are qualified to do, who have not often seen a great Number of such Cases; and who do not so attentively observe the Effects of different Medicines, as to determine on those which most frequently agree with the Disorder;and which, in my Judgment, are those I have just enumerated. I have known a Tea or Infusion of Cherry Stalks, which is not a disagreeable Drink, to cure a very inveterate Cold.§ 132. In Colds of the Head or Brain, the Steam of warm Water alone, or that in which Elder Flowers, or some other mild aromatic Herbs, have been boiled, commonly afford a pretty speedy Relief. These are also serviceable in Colds fallen on the Breast. See§ 55.It has been a Practice, though of no very long standing, to give the Fat of a Whale in these Cases; but this is a very crude indigestible kind of Fat, and greasy oily Medicines seldom agree with Colds. Besides, this Whales' Fat is very disagreeable and rancid, that is rank; so that it were better to forbear using it: I have sometimes seen ill Effects from it, and rarely any good ones.34§ 133. Such Persons as abate nothing of the usual Quantity of their Food, when seized with a Cold, and who swallow down large Quantities of hot Water, ruin their Health. Their Digestion ceases; the Cough begins to affect the Stomach, without ceasing to afflict the Breast; and they incur a Chance of sinking into the Condition described§ 127, Nº. 4.Burnt Brandy and spiced Wine are verypernicious in the Beginning of Colds, and the Omission of them must be a very prudent Omission. If any good Effects have ever been known to attend the Use of them, it has been towards the going off of the Cold; when the Disorder maintained its Ground, solely from the Weakness of the Patient. Whenever this is the Case, there is not the least Room for farther Relaxation; but the PowdersNº. 14, should be taken every Day in a little Wine; and should the Humours seem likely to be thrown upon the Lungs, Blisters ought to be applied to the fleshy Part of the Legs.§ 134. Drams, orLiqueurs, as they are called inFrench, agree so very little in this last State, that frequently a very small Quantity of them revives a Cold that was just expiring. There really are some Persons who never drink them without taking Cold, which is not to be wondered at, as they occasion a light Inflammation in the Breast, which is equivalent to a Cold or Distillation.Nevertheless, People in this Disorder should not expose themselves to violent cold Weather, if there is a Possibility of avoiding it: though they should equally guard too against excessive Heat. Those, who inclose themselves in very hot Rooms, never get quite cured; and how is it possible they should be cured in such a Situation? Such Rooms, abstracted from the Danger of coming out of them, produce Colds in the same Manner that Drams do, by producing a light inflammation in the Breast.§ 135. Persons subject to frequent Colds, which Habits are sometimes termedfluxionary, or liable to Distillations, imagine, they ought to keep themselves very hot. This is an Error which thoroughly destroys their Health. Such a Disposition to take Cold arises from two Causes; either because their Perspiration is easily impaired; or sometimes from the Weakness of the Stomach or the Lungs, which require particular Remedies. When the Complaint arises from the Perspiration's being easily disturbed and lessened, the hotter they keep themselves, the more they sweat, and increase their Complaint the more. This incessantly warm Air lets down and weakens the whole Machine, and more particularly the Lungs; where the Humours finding less Resistance, are continually derived, and are accumulated there. The Skin, being constantly bathed in a small Sweat,becomesrelaxed, soft, and incapable of compleating its Functions: from which Failure the slightest Cause produces a total Obstruction ofPerspiration; and a Multitude of languid Disorders ensue.These Patients thus circumstanced, redouble their Precautions against the Cold, or even the Coolness of the Air, while their utmost Cautions are but so many effectual Means to lower their Health; and this the more certainly, as their Dread of the free Air necessarily subjects them to a sedentary Life, which increases all their Symptoms; while the hot Drinks they indulge in, compleat their Severity. There is but oneMethod to cure People thus situated; that is, by accustoming them gradually to the Air; to keep them out of hot Chambers; to lessen their Cloathing by Degrees; to make them sleep cool; and to let them eat or drink nothing but what is cold, Ice itself being wholesome in their Drink: to make them use much Exercise; and finally, if the Disorder be inveterate, to give them for a considerable Time the PowderNº. 14, and make them use the cold Bath. This Method succeeds equally too with those, in whom the Disease originally depended on a Weakness of the Stomach, or of the Lungs: and in fact, at the End of a certain Period, these three Causes are always combined. Some Persons who have been subject, for many Years, to catch Colds throughout the Winter; and who, during that Season, never went out, and drank every thing warm, have been evidently the better, during the Winter of 1761, and 1762, for the Direction I have given here. They now walk out every Day; drink their Liquids cold; and by this Means entirely escape Colds, and enjoy perfect Health.§ 136. It is more customary indeed in Town, than in the Country, to have different Troches, and Compositions in the Mouth. I am not for excluding this Habit; though I think nothing is so efficacious as Juice of Liquorice; and provided a sufficient Dose be taken, it affords certain Relief. I have taken an Ounce and a half in one Day, and have felt the good Consequences of it very remarkably.
Chapter VII.Of Colds.Sect.123.There are many erroneous Prejudices, with Regard to Colds, all of which may be attended with pernicious Consequences. The first is, that a Cold is never dangerous; an Error which daily destroys the Lives of many. I have already complained of it for many Years past; and I have since beheld a Multitude of such Examples of it, as have but too sufficiently warranted my Complaints.No Person however, it is certain, dies merely of a Cold, as long as it is nothing but a Cold simply; but when, from Inattention and Neglect, it is thrown upon, and occasions Distempers of the Breast, it may, and often does, prove mortal.Colds destroy more than Plagues, was the Answer of a very sagacious and experienced Physician to one of his Friends, who, being asked, how he was in Health, replied, Very well, I have nothing but a Cold.A second erroneous Prejudice is, that Colds require no Means, no Medicines, and that they last the longer for being nursed, or tampered with. The last Article may be true indeed, withRespect to the Method, in which the Person affected with them treats them; but the Principle itself is false. Colds, like other Disorders, have their proper Remedies; and are removed with more or less Facility, as they are conducted better or worse.§ 124. A third Mistake is, that they are not only considered as not dangerous, but are even supposed wholesome too. Doubtless a Man had better have a Cold than a more grievous Disease; though it must be still better to have neither of them. The most that can reasonably be said and admitted on this Point, is, that when a checked, or an obstructed Perspiration becomes the Cause of a Distemper, it is fortunate that it produces rather a Cold, than any very dreadful Disease, which it frequently does: though it were to be wished, that neither the Cause, nor its Effect existed. A Cold constantly produces some Disorder or Defect in the Functions of some Part or Parts of the Body, and thus becomes the Cause of a Disease. It is indeed a real Disorder itself, and which, when in a violent Degree, makes a very perceivable Assault upon our whole Machine. Colds, with their Defluxions, considerably weaken the Breast, and sooner or later considerably impair the Health. Persons subject to frequent Colds are never robust or strong; they often sink into languid Disorders; and a frequent Aptitude to take Cold is a Proof, that their Perspiration may be easily checked and restrained; whence the Lungs become oppressed and obstructed, whichmust always be attended with considerable Danger.§ 125. We may be convinced of the Weakness and Fallacy of these Prejudices, by considering attentively the Nature of Colds; which are nothing else than the very Diseases already described in the three preceding Chapters, though in their greatest Degree only.A Cold in Truth is almost constantly an inflammatory Disease; a light Inflammation of the Lungs, or of the Throat; of the Membrane or very thin Skin, which lines the Nostrills, and the Inside of certain Cavities in the Bones of the Cheeks and Forehead. These Cavities communicate with the Nose, in such a Manner, that when one Part of this Membrane is affected with an Inflammation, it is easily communicated to the other Parts.§ 126. It is scarcely necessary to describe the Symptoms of a Cold, and it may be sufficient to remark, 1. That their chief Cause is the same with that, which most commonly produces the Diseases already treated of, that is, an obstructed Perspiration, and a Blood somewhat inflamed. 2. That whenever these Diseases affect great Numbers, many Colds prevail at the same Time. 3. That the Symptoms which manifest a violent Cold, greatly resemble those which precede or usher in these Diseases. People are rarely attacked by great Colds, without a shivering and Fever; which last sometimes continues for many Days. There is a Cough, a dry Cough, for someTime; after which some Expectoration ensues; which allays the Cough, and lightens the Oppression; at which Time the Cold may be said to be maturated, or ripe. There are pretty often slight Stitches, but unfixed or flying about, with a little Complaint of the Throat. When the Nostrills happen to be the Seat of the Disorder, which is then very improperly termed a Cold of the Brain, it is often attended with a vehement Head-ach; which sometimes depends on an Irritation of the Membrane, that lines the Cavities in the Bone of the Forehead, or the maxillary Sinusses, that is, the Cavities in the Jaws: At first the Running from the Nose is very clear; thin and sharp; afterwards, in Proportion to the Abatement of the Inflammation, it becomes thicker; and the Consistence and Colour of it resemble those of what others cough up. The Smell, the Taste and the Appetite are commonly impaired by it.§ 127. Colds seem to be of no certain Duration or Continuance. Those of the Head or Brain generally last but a few Days; of the Breast longer. Some Colds nevertheless terminate in four or five Days. If they extend beyond this Term they prove really hurtful. 1. Because the Violence of the Cough disorders the whole Machine; and particularly, by forcing up the Blood to the Head. 2. By depriving the Person afflicted of his usual Sleep, which is almost constantly diminished by it. 3. By impairing the Appetite, and confusing the Digestion,which is unavoidably lessened by it. 4. By weakening the very Lungs, by the continual Agitations from Coughing; whence all the Humours being gradually determined towards them, as the weakest Part, a continual Cough subsists. Hence also they become overcharged with Humours, which grow viscid there; the Respiration is overloaded and oppressed; a slow Fever appears; Nutrition almost ceases; the Patient becomes very weak; sinks into a Wasting; an obstinate Wakefulness and Anguish, and often dies in a short Time. 5. By Reason that the Fever, which almost constantly accompanies great Cold, concurs to wear the body down.§ 128. Wherefore, since a Cold is a Disease of the same kind with Quinsies, Peripneumonies and Inflammations of the Breast, it ought to be treated in the same Manner. If it is a violent one, Blood should be taken from the Arm, which may considerably shorten its Duration: and this becomes most essentially necessary, whenever the Patient is of a sanguineous ruddy Complexion, abounds with Blood, and has a strong Cough, and great Head-ach. The DrinksNº. 1,2,3,4, should be very plentifully used. It is advantagious to bathe the Feet in warm Water every Night at going to Bed.32In a Word, if the Patientis put into a Regimen, the Cure is very speedily effected.§ 129. The Disorder indeed, however, is often so very slight, that it may be thought to require very little, if any, medical Treatment, and may be easily cured without Physick, by abstaining from Flesh, Eggs, Broth, and Wine; from all Food that is sharp, fat and heavy; and by dieting upon Bread, Pulse, Fruit, and Water; particularly by eating little or no Supper; and drinking, if thirsty, a simple Ptisan of Barley, or an Infusion of Elder Flowers, with the Addition of a third or fourth Part of Milk. Bathing the Feet, and the PowderNº. 20contribute to dispose the Patient to sleep. Five Tea-Cups of an Infusion of the Red, or wild Poppy Leaves may also be ventured on safely.§ 130. When the Fever, Heat and Inflammation wholly disappear; when the Patient has kept to his Regimen for some Days, and his Blood is well diluted, if the Cough and Want of Sleep still continues, he may take in the Evening a Dose of Storax33Pill, or of Venice Treacle withElder FlowerTea, after bathing his Feet. These Remedies by stilling the Cough, and restoring Perspiration, frequently cure the Cold in the Space of one Night. I confess at the same Time, I have seen bad Consequences from such Opiates, when given too early in the Complaint. It is also necessary, when they are given, that the Patient should have supt but very moderately, and that his Supper should be digested.§ 131. An immense Number of Remedies are cried up for the Cure of Colds; such as Ptisans of Apples or Pippins, of Liquorice, of dry Raisins, of Figs, of Borage, of Ground-Ivy, ofVeronicaor Speedwell, of Hysop, of Nettles,&c. &c.I have no Design to depreciate them; as all of them may possibly be useful: But unfortunately, those who have seen any particular one of them succeed in one Case, readily conclude it to be the most excellent of them all; which is a dangerous Error, because no one Case is a sufficient Foundation to decide upon: which besides none are qualified to do, who have not often seen a great Number of such Cases; and who do not so attentively observe the Effects of different Medicines, as to determine on those which most frequently agree with the Disorder;and which, in my Judgment, are those I have just enumerated. I have known a Tea or Infusion of Cherry Stalks, which is not a disagreeable Drink, to cure a very inveterate Cold.§ 132. In Colds of the Head or Brain, the Steam of warm Water alone, or that in which Elder Flowers, or some other mild aromatic Herbs, have been boiled, commonly afford a pretty speedy Relief. These are also serviceable in Colds fallen on the Breast. See§ 55.It has been a Practice, though of no very long standing, to give the Fat of a Whale in these Cases; but this is a very crude indigestible kind of Fat, and greasy oily Medicines seldom agree with Colds. Besides, this Whales' Fat is very disagreeable and rancid, that is rank; so that it were better to forbear using it: I have sometimes seen ill Effects from it, and rarely any good ones.34§ 133. Such Persons as abate nothing of the usual Quantity of their Food, when seized with a Cold, and who swallow down large Quantities of hot Water, ruin their Health. Their Digestion ceases; the Cough begins to affect the Stomach, without ceasing to afflict the Breast; and they incur a Chance of sinking into the Condition described§ 127, Nº. 4.Burnt Brandy and spiced Wine are verypernicious in the Beginning of Colds, and the Omission of them must be a very prudent Omission. If any good Effects have ever been known to attend the Use of them, it has been towards the going off of the Cold; when the Disorder maintained its Ground, solely from the Weakness of the Patient. Whenever this is the Case, there is not the least Room for farther Relaxation; but the PowdersNº. 14, should be taken every Day in a little Wine; and should the Humours seem likely to be thrown upon the Lungs, Blisters ought to be applied to the fleshy Part of the Legs.§ 134. Drams, orLiqueurs, as they are called inFrench, agree so very little in this last State, that frequently a very small Quantity of them revives a Cold that was just expiring. There really are some Persons who never drink them without taking Cold, which is not to be wondered at, as they occasion a light Inflammation in the Breast, which is equivalent to a Cold or Distillation.Nevertheless, People in this Disorder should not expose themselves to violent cold Weather, if there is a Possibility of avoiding it: though they should equally guard too against excessive Heat. Those, who inclose themselves in very hot Rooms, never get quite cured; and how is it possible they should be cured in such a Situation? Such Rooms, abstracted from the Danger of coming out of them, produce Colds in the same Manner that Drams do, by producing a light inflammation in the Breast.§ 135. Persons subject to frequent Colds, which Habits are sometimes termedfluxionary, or liable to Distillations, imagine, they ought to keep themselves very hot. This is an Error which thoroughly destroys their Health. Such a Disposition to take Cold arises from two Causes; either because their Perspiration is easily impaired; or sometimes from the Weakness of the Stomach or the Lungs, which require particular Remedies. When the Complaint arises from the Perspiration's being easily disturbed and lessened, the hotter they keep themselves, the more they sweat, and increase their Complaint the more. This incessantly warm Air lets down and weakens the whole Machine, and more particularly the Lungs; where the Humours finding less Resistance, are continually derived, and are accumulated there. The Skin, being constantly bathed in a small Sweat,becomesrelaxed, soft, and incapable of compleating its Functions: from which Failure the slightest Cause produces a total Obstruction ofPerspiration; and a Multitude of languid Disorders ensue.These Patients thus circumstanced, redouble their Precautions against the Cold, or even the Coolness of the Air, while their utmost Cautions are but so many effectual Means to lower their Health; and this the more certainly, as their Dread of the free Air necessarily subjects them to a sedentary Life, which increases all their Symptoms; while the hot Drinks they indulge in, compleat their Severity. There is but oneMethod to cure People thus situated; that is, by accustoming them gradually to the Air; to keep them out of hot Chambers; to lessen their Cloathing by Degrees; to make them sleep cool; and to let them eat or drink nothing but what is cold, Ice itself being wholesome in their Drink: to make them use much Exercise; and finally, if the Disorder be inveterate, to give them for a considerable Time the PowderNº. 14, and make them use the cold Bath. This Method succeeds equally too with those, in whom the Disease originally depended on a Weakness of the Stomach, or of the Lungs: and in fact, at the End of a certain Period, these three Causes are always combined. Some Persons who have been subject, for many Years, to catch Colds throughout the Winter; and who, during that Season, never went out, and drank every thing warm, have been evidently the better, during the Winter of 1761, and 1762, for the Direction I have given here. They now walk out every Day; drink their Liquids cold; and by this Means entirely escape Colds, and enjoy perfect Health.§ 136. It is more customary indeed in Town, than in the Country, to have different Troches, and Compositions in the Mouth. I am not for excluding this Habit; though I think nothing is so efficacious as Juice of Liquorice; and provided a sufficient Dose be taken, it affords certain Relief. I have taken an Ounce and a half in one Day, and have felt the good Consequences of it very remarkably.
Of Colds.
Sect.123.
Sect.123.
There are many erroneous Prejudices, with Regard to Colds, all of which may be attended with pernicious Consequences. The first is, that a Cold is never dangerous; an Error which daily destroys the Lives of many. I have already complained of it for many Years past; and I have since beheld a Multitude of such Examples of it, as have but too sufficiently warranted my Complaints.
No Person however, it is certain, dies merely of a Cold, as long as it is nothing but a Cold simply; but when, from Inattention and Neglect, it is thrown upon, and occasions Distempers of the Breast, it may, and often does, prove mortal.Colds destroy more than Plagues, was the Answer of a very sagacious and experienced Physician to one of his Friends, who, being asked, how he was in Health, replied, Very well, I have nothing but a Cold.
A second erroneous Prejudice is, that Colds require no Means, no Medicines, and that they last the longer for being nursed, or tampered with. The last Article may be true indeed, withRespect to the Method, in which the Person affected with them treats them; but the Principle itself is false. Colds, like other Disorders, have their proper Remedies; and are removed with more or less Facility, as they are conducted better or worse.
§ 124. A third Mistake is, that they are not only considered as not dangerous, but are even supposed wholesome too. Doubtless a Man had better have a Cold than a more grievous Disease; though it must be still better to have neither of them. The most that can reasonably be said and admitted on this Point, is, that when a checked, or an obstructed Perspiration becomes the Cause of a Distemper, it is fortunate that it produces rather a Cold, than any very dreadful Disease, which it frequently does: though it were to be wished, that neither the Cause, nor its Effect existed. A Cold constantly produces some Disorder or Defect in the Functions of some Part or Parts of the Body, and thus becomes the Cause of a Disease. It is indeed a real Disorder itself, and which, when in a violent Degree, makes a very perceivable Assault upon our whole Machine. Colds, with their Defluxions, considerably weaken the Breast, and sooner or later considerably impair the Health. Persons subject to frequent Colds are never robust or strong; they often sink into languid Disorders; and a frequent Aptitude to take Cold is a Proof, that their Perspiration may be easily checked and restrained; whence the Lungs become oppressed and obstructed, whichmust always be attended with considerable Danger.
§ 125. We may be convinced of the Weakness and Fallacy of these Prejudices, by considering attentively the Nature of Colds; which are nothing else than the very Diseases already described in the three preceding Chapters, though in their greatest Degree only.
A Cold in Truth is almost constantly an inflammatory Disease; a light Inflammation of the Lungs, or of the Throat; of the Membrane or very thin Skin, which lines the Nostrills, and the Inside of certain Cavities in the Bones of the Cheeks and Forehead. These Cavities communicate with the Nose, in such a Manner, that when one Part of this Membrane is affected with an Inflammation, it is easily communicated to the other Parts.
§ 126. It is scarcely necessary to describe the Symptoms of a Cold, and it may be sufficient to remark, 1. That their chief Cause is the same with that, which most commonly produces the Diseases already treated of, that is, an obstructed Perspiration, and a Blood somewhat inflamed. 2. That whenever these Diseases affect great Numbers, many Colds prevail at the same Time. 3. That the Symptoms which manifest a violent Cold, greatly resemble those which precede or usher in these Diseases. People are rarely attacked by great Colds, without a shivering and Fever; which last sometimes continues for many Days. There is a Cough, a dry Cough, for someTime; after which some Expectoration ensues; which allays the Cough, and lightens the Oppression; at which Time the Cold may be said to be maturated, or ripe. There are pretty often slight Stitches, but unfixed or flying about, with a little Complaint of the Throat. When the Nostrills happen to be the Seat of the Disorder, which is then very improperly termed a Cold of the Brain, it is often attended with a vehement Head-ach; which sometimes depends on an Irritation of the Membrane, that lines the Cavities in the Bone of the Forehead, or the maxillary Sinusses, that is, the Cavities in the Jaws: At first the Running from the Nose is very clear; thin and sharp; afterwards, in Proportion to the Abatement of the Inflammation, it becomes thicker; and the Consistence and Colour of it resemble those of what others cough up. The Smell, the Taste and the Appetite are commonly impaired by it.
§ 127. Colds seem to be of no certain Duration or Continuance. Those of the Head or Brain generally last but a few Days; of the Breast longer. Some Colds nevertheless terminate in four or five Days. If they extend beyond this Term they prove really hurtful. 1. Because the Violence of the Cough disorders the whole Machine; and particularly, by forcing up the Blood to the Head. 2. By depriving the Person afflicted of his usual Sleep, which is almost constantly diminished by it. 3. By impairing the Appetite, and confusing the Digestion,which is unavoidably lessened by it. 4. By weakening the very Lungs, by the continual Agitations from Coughing; whence all the Humours being gradually determined towards them, as the weakest Part, a continual Cough subsists. Hence also they become overcharged with Humours, which grow viscid there; the Respiration is overloaded and oppressed; a slow Fever appears; Nutrition almost ceases; the Patient becomes very weak; sinks into a Wasting; an obstinate Wakefulness and Anguish, and often dies in a short Time. 5. By Reason that the Fever, which almost constantly accompanies great Cold, concurs to wear the body down.
§ 128. Wherefore, since a Cold is a Disease of the same kind with Quinsies, Peripneumonies and Inflammations of the Breast, it ought to be treated in the same Manner. If it is a violent one, Blood should be taken from the Arm, which may considerably shorten its Duration: and this becomes most essentially necessary, whenever the Patient is of a sanguineous ruddy Complexion, abounds with Blood, and has a strong Cough, and great Head-ach. The DrinksNº. 1,2,3,4, should be very plentifully used. It is advantagious to bathe the Feet in warm Water every Night at going to Bed.32In a Word, if the Patientis put into a Regimen, the Cure is very speedily effected.
§ 129. The Disorder indeed, however, is often so very slight, that it may be thought to require very little, if any, medical Treatment, and may be easily cured without Physick, by abstaining from Flesh, Eggs, Broth, and Wine; from all Food that is sharp, fat and heavy; and by dieting upon Bread, Pulse, Fruit, and Water; particularly by eating little or no Supper; and drinking, if thirsty, a simple Ptisan of Barley, or an Infusion of Elder Flowers, with the Addition of a third or fourth Part of Milk. Bathing the Feet, and the PowderNº. 20contribute to dispose the Patient to sleep. Five Tea-Cups of an Infusion of the Red, or wild Poppy Leaves may also be ventured on safely.
§ 130. When the Fever, Heat and Inflammation wholly disappear; when the Patient has kept to his Regimen for some Days, and his Blood is well diluted, if the Cough and Want of Sleep still continues, he may take in the Evening a Dose of Storax33Pill, or of Venice Treacle withElder FlowerTea, after bathing his Feet. These Remedies by stilling the Cough, and restoring Perspiration, frequently cure the Cold in the Space of one Night. I confess at the same Time, I have seen bad Consequences from such Opiates, when given too early in the Complaint. It is also necessary, when they are given, that the Patient should have supt but very moderately, and that his Supper should be digested.
§ 131. An immense Number of Remedies are cried up for the Cure of Colds; such as Ptisans of Apples or Pippins, of Liquorice, of dry Raisins, of Figs, of Borage, of Ground-Ivy, ofVeronicaor Speedwell, of Hysop, of Nettles,&c. &c.I have no Design to depreciate them; as all of them may possibly be useful: But unfortunately, those who have seen any particular one of them succeed in one Case, readily conclude it to be the most excellent of them all; which is a dangerous Error, because no one Case is a sufficient Foundation to decide upon: which besides none are qualified to do, who have not often seen a great Number of such Cases; and who do not so attentively observe the Effects of different Medicines, as to determine on those which most frequently agree with the Disorder;and which, in my Judgment, are those I have just enumerated. I have known a Tea or Infusion of Cherry Stalks, which is not a disagreeable Drink, to cure a very inveterate Cold.
§ 132. In Colds of the Head or Brain, the Steam of warm Water alone, or that in which Elder Flowers, or some other mild aromatic Herbs, have been boiled, commonly afford a pretty speedy Relief. These are also serviceable in Colds fallen on the Breast. See§ 55.
It has been a Practice, though of no very long standing, to give the Fat of a Whale in these Cases; but this is a very crude indigestible kind of Fat, and greasy oily Medicines seldom agree with Colds. Besides, this Whales' Fat is very disagreeable and rancid, that is rank; so that it were better to forbear using it: I have sometimes seen ill Effects from it, and rarely any good ones.34
§ 133. Such Persons as abate nothing of the usual Quantity of their Food, when seized with a Cold, and who swallow down large Quantities of hot Water, ruin their Health. Their Digestion ceases; the Cough begins to affect the Stomach, without ceasing to afflict the Breast; and they incur a Chance of sinking into the Condition described§ 127, Nº. 4.
Burnt Brandy and spiced Wine are verypernicious in the Beginning of Colds, and the Omission of them must be a very prudent Omission. If any good Effects have ever been known to attend the Use of them, it has been towards the going off of the Cold; when the Disorder maintained its Ground, solely from the Weakness of the Patient. Whenever this is the Case, there is not the least Room for farther Relaxation; but the PowdersNº. 14, should be taken every Day in a little Wine; and should the Humours seem likely to be thrown upon the Lungs, Blisters ought to be applied to the fleshy Part of the Legs.
§ 134. Drams, orLiqueurs, as they are called inFrench, agree so very little in this last State, that frequently a very small Quantity of them revives a Cold that was just expiring. There really are some Persons who never drink them without taking Cold, which is not to be wondered at, as they occasion a light Inflammation in the Breast, which is equivalent to a Cold or Distillation.
Nevertheless, People in this Disorder should not expose themselves to violent cold Weather, if there is a Possibility of avoiding it: though they should equally guard too against excessive Heat. Those, who inclose themselves in very hot Rooms, never get quite cured; and how is it possible they should be cured in such a Situation? Such Rooms, abstracted from the Danger of coming out of them, produce Colds in the same Manner that Drams do, by producing a light inflammation in the Breast.
§ 135. Persons subject to frequent Colds, which Habits are sometimes termedfluxionary, or liable to Distillations, imagine, they ought to keep themselves very hot. This is an Error which thoroughly destroys their Health. Such a Disposition to take Cold arises from two Causes; either because their Perspiration is easily impaired; or sometimes from the Weakness of the Stomach or the Lungs, which require particular Remedies. When the Complaint arises from the Perspiration's being easily disturbed and lessened, the hotter they keep themselves, the more they sweat, and increase their Complaint the more. This incessantly warm Air lets down and weakens the whole Machine, and more particularly the Lungs; where the Humours finding less Resistance, are continually derived, and are accumulated there. The Skin, being constantly bathed in a small Sweat,becomesrelaxed, soft, and incapable of compleating its Functions: from which Failure the slightest Cause produces a total Obstruction ofPerspiration; and a Multitude of languid Disorders ensue.
These Patients thus circumstanced, redouble their Precautions against the Cold, or even the Coolness of the Air, while their utmost Cautions are but so many effectual Means to lower their Health; and this the more certainly, as their Dread of the free Air necessarily subjects them to a sedentary Life, which increases all their Symptoms; while the hot Drinks they indulge in, compleat their Severity. There is but oneMethod to cure People thus situated; that is, by accustoming them gradually to the Air; to keep them out of hot Chambers; to lessen their Cloathing by Degrees; to make them sleep cool; and to let them eat or drink nothing but what is cold, Ice itself being wholesome in their Drink: to make them use much Exercise; and finally, if the Disorder be inveterate, to give them for a considerable Time the PowderNº. 14, and make them use the cold Bath. This Method succeeds equally too with those, in whom the Disease originally depended on a Weakness of the Stomach, or of the Lungs: and in fact, at the End of a certain Period, these three Causes are always combined. Some Persons who have been subject, for many Years, to catch Colds throughout the Winter; and who, during that Season, never went out, and drank every thing warm, have been evidently the better, during the Winter of 1761, and 1762, for the Direction I have given here. They now walk out every Day; drink their Liquids cold; and by this Means entirely escape Colds, and enjoy perfect Health.
§ 136. It is more customary indeed in Town, than in the Country, to have different Troches, and Compositions in the Mouth. I am not for excluding this Habit; though I think nothing is so efficacious as Juice of Liquorice; and provided a sufficient Dose be taken, it affords certain Relief. I have taken an Ounce and a half in one Day, and have felt the good Consequences of it very remarkably.