[ 252 J

CHAP. XXIX.OF COLDS AND COUGHS.

IT has already been observed, that colds are theeffect of an obstructed perspiration ; the commoncauses of which we have likewise endeavoured topoint out, and shall not here repeat them. Neithershall we spend time in enumerating- all the varioussymptoms of colds, as they are pretty generally known.It may not, however, be amiss to observe, thatalmost every cold is a kind of fever, which onlydiffers in degree from some of those that have alreadybeen treated of.

No age, sex, or constitution, is exempted from thisdisease, neither is it in the power of any medicine orregimen to prevent it. The inhabitants of every cli-mate are liable to catch cold, nor can even the greatestcircumspection defend them at all times from itsattacks. Indeed, if the human body could be keptconstantly in an uniform degree of warmth, such athing as catching cold would be impossible; but asthat cannot be effected by any means, the perspira-tion must be liable to many changes. Some changes,however, when small, do not affect the health ; butwhen great they must prove hurtful.

When oppression of the breast, a stuffing of thenose, unusual weariness, pain in the head, &c. giveground to believe that the perspiration is obstructed,or ? in other words, that the person has caught cold,he ought immediately to lessen his diet, at least theusual quantity of his solid food, and to abstain from allstrong liquors. Instead of fish, flesh, eggs, milk, andother nourishing diet, he may eat light bread pudding,veal or chicken broth, panado, gruel, and such like.His drink may be water-gruel mixed with a littlehoney, an infusion of balm, or linseed sharpened withthe juice of Seville orange or lemon ; a decoction ofbarley and liquorice with tamarinds, or any otherpool/diluting, acid, liquor.