74 



dust is redeposited on our respiratory mucous membranes and only too 

 often with evil results. 



I have had many persons under observation who are subject to this 

 dust infection, and where the source of their cold could be readily traced, 

 and who, moreover, suffered less after it was explained to them how they 

 catch cold— and in proportion as they have been able to avoid the inhala- 

 tion of an infected dust atmosphere they have found the climate of Indi- 

 ana a healthy one. 



City and town people are, of course, the worst sufferers, and a seden- 

 tary life with a body habitually overloaded with food and waste products 

 is a contributing factor— such a life places the body at a disadvantage in 

 warding off or in resisting disease. Colds, moreover, often allow the 

 entrance and spread of other diseases. We can frequently trace a dan- 

 gerous disease back to the time of a "cold." 



The subject is a serious one. According to the recent report of the 

 Indiana State Board of Health last year, a total of 7,607 persons found 

 their death breathing dust-laden air. Indeed, if the whole truth were 

 known the total number would be even greatei*. The number of persons 

 who are simply afifected, made sick, and who do not die from the attacks 

 of cold and diseases traceable to colds, is an extremely large one. 



The experience of arctic explorers in the far north has already been 

 referred to. Although severely exposed to cold, thej^ are free from colds, 

 and now it should be added that the moment they return to civilization 

 they suffer most acutely. 



We might be tempted to ask: Are "colds" a product of civilization? 

 It would seem so. Civilized countries, however, differ greatly in the 

 prevalence of colds and catarrhs and a host of infections due to infected 

 dust — a number of which have already been mentioned. The Inhabitants 

 of many European countries suffer but little; inhabitants of the United 

 States suffer greatly, and in our State colds and catarrhs are almost uni- 

 versal. I believe it was Charles Dickens who remarked about the accu- 

 rate aim of the American in spitting, and travelers from the old world are 

 amazed at the condition of our sidewalks and floors of public halls and 

 railway coaches. 



How far do we have to go to find the cause for the so-called un- 

 healthy condition of Indiana It would seem that if our State is un- 

 healthy, man himself has made it so. 



