Light Clothing]

The wearing of loose, porous clothing, and the air bath--exercise in a
cool room without clothing--are also valuable measures in skin training.
Very heavy wraps and fur coats should be worn only during unusual
exposure, as in driving or motoring. Outer clothing should be adapted to
the changes in the weather, and medium-weight underclothing worn
throughout the winter season. Office-workers and others employed indoors
are, during the greater part of the day, living in a summer temperature.
The wearing of heavy underclothing under such conditions is debilitating
to the skin and impairs the resisting power.

Overheated rooms should also be avoided for the same reason. In rooms
where people are moving about, the temperature should not be allowed to
rise above 65 degrees. In ordinary offices or dwelling rooms, the
temperature should not be allowed to rise above 68 degrees and adequate
ventilation should be provided.

[Sidenote: Fresh Air]

Living out of doors, especially sleeping out, gives the skin exercise,
and further keeps fresh air in the lungs. It is one of the foremost
methods of prevention against colds. Army men remark that so long as
they are out of doors, even if exposed to bad weather, they almost never
catch cold, but do so often as soon as they resume living in houses.

Long breaths taken slowly and rhythmically, say ten at a time and ten
times a day are helpful.

[Sidenote: Constipation]

Constipation predisposes to colds, and should be vigorously combated by
proper diet and exercise, and regular habits of attention to the bowel
function.

[Sidenote: Overeating]

Overeating frequently leads to nasal congestion. Eat lightly, using
little meat or other high protein foods such as white of eggs, and
thoroughly masticate the food.

[Sidenote: Fatigue]

Avoiding undue fatigue will help greatly in preventing colds.

[Sidenote: Nasal Toilet]

The regular use of nasal douches is not advisable. The mucous membrane
of the nose is intolerant of watery solutions, and a chronic congested
condition or even infection of air cavities in the skull can be brought
about by the constant use of sprays and douches. Where special
conditions render it necessary, these should be used only on the advice
of a physician. When the nose is clogged with soot or dust, a very
gentle spray of a warm, weak solution of salt and water, in the anterior
nostrils, may do no harm. Picking of the nose should be strictl