Colds

Early in 1923, the U. S. Public Health Service worked out a plan for obtaining more facts than have been heretofore available concerning the common cold. Blank forms were furnished to some 13,000 persons in eleven different localities from Massachusetts to California. Each one of these persons was expected to report every two weeks as to whether or not lie had had a cold; and to supply at the same time information concerning the climate of his locality, whether or not he had been exposed to dampness or changes of temperature, the type of clothing which he wore, and similar information concerning details which have previously been believed to have a definite bearing on the catching of a cold. A preliminary report covering the period from October, 1923, to June, 1924, has just been made available by those in charge of the investigations.

This report shows, first of all, a definite relationship of the catching of a cold to certain periods of the year. A high incidence of colds in the latter part of October was followed every-where by a decline which continued until the latter part of December; then a sharp rise occurred, which reached its highest point during the first part of January. During a five and one-half months' period, the number of colds averaged about two per person. It is not possible at this early date to make any definite statements concerning some of the other factors which seem to have a bearing on the catching of a cold; but, as the investigations are continued, this information will become available and, no doubt, will prove to be of real service in the control of this type of illness.