P.2

In any settled region the rat population is essentially the samo as
the humen population. Ten years ego, it was estimated from careful
studies that each rat consumed food to the cost of $2.00 each year and
thet he spoiled ten times as much more. In the present mild inflation,
this moans that each rat costs about $30.25 each year. Multiply this
sum by 25000, « low estimate on the number of our rats in this county,
and we have $756,250.00. This would oasily build us two new court
houses each year. paves

COLDS

One of the trends in medical nomenclature (accent on second syllable)
is to become more specific. Thus: in the memory of numerous people

now living "Inflammation of the Bowels" has become "Appendicitis" and
at least nine other discasos, all separately described and recognizable.
Eczema (accont on the first syllable) has been restricted by the recog-
nition and naming of so many of its protean manifestations that what
remains is almost synonymous with "I don't know" or the more dignified
but equally uninforming "G.O.K.", (God only knows) used in some hospi-
tals. "Cold" is such a name for a disease or a group of discascs.

This name is applicd to less and less as time goes on, but the group
remains in status quo. Reminds one of Shakespeare's lines about names,

I cannot begin with a definition of the common cold much as I would
like to. Apparently not all colds are cxactly alike. They vary much
from time to timc and from person to person. Epidemics of colds are
often seen. Some of these arc dignified with special names--such as
"Rose Cold", ctc.

No one agent or circumstance scems to cause all colds. Food deficien-
cics, vitamin imbalance, bacteria, pollons, dust, exposure, viruses
have, singly end in combinations, been set up and discussed as causing
colds. Even the mental and emotional condition seems to have some-
thing to do about it or with it.

Arc colds contagious? Apparently some of them are, and it passes from
onc person to another by actual or near actual contact. So far as
known such contact is effective only when made on mucous membrane--
not on the skin. This means that if you must kiss your child or some
other friend while you have a cold, do it on his forehead or tho back
of his neck. Also avoid staying Tong with him in a small closed placo.

In the general prevontion of each there are two widely divergent sys-
toms of practicce,-- a. seeks to build up a rosistenco by using all

the known factors including that of fractional natural vaccinations,
so gront that no reasonable exposure will produce an appreciable effect
and b. seoks to avoid all exposures and conditions known to promote
colds. In the whole populetion, they are about equally succossful or
unsuccessful. The "a" group becomes rugged, careless of health pro-
cautions and completely devoid. of cold consciousness, whereas tho Wp*
group becomes softer each yoar, is over cautious about health and gets
to be painfully and annoyingly cold conscious. The great mass of
people to which most of us belong do not think or do much about it
either way. Maybe we should!

H. Le. Chambors, M.D.