Symptoms
The first signs of a cold are a feeling of soreness of the throat and congestion of the nasal passage. Although the disease normally begins in the nose and throat, it affects all parts of the body. Its usual symptoms are a running nose, sneezing, a rise in temperature, headache, sore throat, chill, aches and pains in the body and loss of appetite. The skin around the nostrils may become sore.

Causes
The common cold results from exposure to the virus. Its intensity will, however, depend upon the state of health of the person and environmental factors. Lowered vitality, allergic disorders of the nose and throat, chilling of the body, lack of sleep, depression, fatigue and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust and other irritating inhalations are important cases contributing to the development of a cold.
The real cause of a cold, however, is the toxic condition of the body brought about by wrong food habits such as an excessive intake of starch, carbohydrates, proteins, and other acid -forming foods. A cold is, therefore, nature’s simplest way of expelling toxic waste from the human system. The duration of the cold will depend on the amount of poisons accumulated in the body and the rapidity with which they are expelled.

Dietetic Treatment
To treat a cold by means of customary suppressive drugs like aspirin, codeine, etc. will only pave the way for future trouble of a more serious nature. For, such a treatment puts a sudden stop to the eliminative process then taking place and forces the toxic matter back into the tissues again. Moreover, drugs have no effect on the duration of the cold. It has been aptly said that a cold can be cured in a week by taking medicines ; otherwise it will subside in seven days.
The only real treatment for colds is a proper diet. The best way to begin the treatment is to put the patient on a fast for two days. Nothing should be taken during this period except warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey or fruit juice and hot water. A liquid diet of fruit juice in large amounts is necessary to neutralise the acid condition of the blood and hot drinks are needed to help clear and kidneys. Pineapple juice in particular is highly beneficial. A warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during this period.
The short juice fast may be followed by an exclusive fresh fruit diet for three days. In this regimen, the patient should have three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches, melons or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas, dried or stewed or tinned fruits, should not be taken. No other foodstuff should be added to the diet as otherwise the whole value of the treatment will be lost.
After the exclusive fruit diet, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to avoid, meat , fish, eggs, cheese and starchy foods for few days. The patient should strengthen the system as a whole by taking a diet which should supply all the vitamins and minerals the body needs. Vitamin C, however, heads the list of these nutrients. It protects the person from infection and acts as a harmless antibiotic. It is found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, sprouted Bengal gram and green gram.
According to Dr. Linus Pauling, a noble prize-winning scientist, the regular use of this vitamin in the optimum daily amount will prevent the common cold and if a cold has already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will relive the symptoms and shorten its duration. He estimates that one to two grams or 1000 mg. to 2000 mg. per day is approximately the optimum amount of this vitamin. His advice is to swallow one or two 500 mg. tablets of vitamin C at the appearance of first sign of the cold and continue the treatment by taking an additional tablet every hour.
Garlic oil combined with onion juice, diluted with water and drunk several times a day, has been found, in several studies to be extremely effective in the treatment of common cold. Steam inhalation will help relieve the congestion of the nasal tissues. Gargling with hot water mixed with salt is beneficial for a sore throat. Cold chest packs should be applied two or three times a day as they will relieve congestion of lungs and help in eliminating the accumulated mucus.
Other useful measures in the treatment of common cold are a mild sunbathe, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks , sound sleep, adjustment of one’s clothes and habits to the requirements of the season, so as to nullify the effect of weather fluctuations.

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