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 some Time; 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 Drinks [Nº. 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. [32] In a Word, if the Patient is 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 Powder [Nº. 20] contribute 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 Storax [33] Pill, or of Venice Treacle with Elder Flower Tea, 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, of Veronica or 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.