From these facts will also be seen the importance of having cut short, as rapidly as possible, any congestion or inflammatory troubles of the nose and throat.
Prevention of Nasal Catarrh and Sore Throat.—First in importance comes attention to the general health. Under this must be considered the clothing, food, ventilation, and exercise.
The clothing should be light, yet sufficiently warm to be a protection against the cold and winds. Heavy shoes with thick soles are necessary to protect the feet, and it is not so much the matter of getting wet as it is of sitting down with damp clothing on.
An atmosphere filled with dust in sweeping should not be tolerated in any well-kept house.
Local Treatment for the Prevention and Cure of Mild Cases of Nasal Catarrh and Sore Throat.—The treatment is practically the same. The toilet of the nose and throat should be made at least as often, and at the same time, as that of the teeth; certainly, the first thing on getting up in the morning and again before dressing for dinner. In our seaboard cities and towns, at least, there is a very general predisposition to some degree of congestion of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. This means an abnormal amount of mucus which collects in the parts during sleep. Again, on coming in from out-of-doors on a windy day a large amount of dust, which means microbes as well, has become lodged in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
This toilet of the nose and throat is best carried out by means of a nasal spray. The spray apparatus consists of a bottle holding some two ounces, a hard-rubber spray piece, and a bulb with tubing to force the liquid through the spray piece. The tip of the spray should have the form of a cone; this should be introduced into each nostril, the bulb squeezed several times, until the amount of fluid is sufficient to be hawked out, and this process is facilitated by holding the mouth open during the spraying of the nostrils. After the nostrils have been thoroughly cleansed, the throat should be sprayed directly.
The liquids used must be bland and unirritating, and only enough should be used at one time to cleanse the parts. There are on the market excellent alkaline and antiseptic tablets; one tablet should be dissolved in a spray-bottle not quite full of water. This solution keeps in perfect condition, and is always ready for use.
A solution of boric acid, in the proportion of two teaspoonfuls of boric acid to one pint of water, may also be used.
If the nose and throat are inflamed, this so-called water spray should be followed by an oil spray, which will be found to be most soothing and healing. A separate apparatus for this will be necessary, as an oily solution would clog an ordinary water-spray, but the principle of the spray is the same, and it is used in the same way. The following is an excellent formula: Take of menthol and carbolic acid each two grains; of eucalyptol, six drops; and of albolene, two ounces. Mix well, and fill the spray-bottle one-third full; it is to be used in the full strength. Use only enough of this spray to moisten the nose and throat; by inhaling simultaneously with squeezing the bulb, the very fine spray is carried into the larynx, and so is very useful when there is an irritation of that organ, as shown by hoarseness. If there is only a slight irritation of the parts, the use of the spray twice daily will be sufficient; the last time should be just before retiring. On windy days it will be a great protection to the mucous membrane of the throat to use it just before going out-of-doors, on the throat only. If the inflammation is severe, the spray may be used as often as every two hours. This prescription should be put up by a good druggist.
Ear specialists condemn all nasal douches as dangerous, on account of the possibility of the water being forced into the Eustachian tubes.