Before germs were spied for the first time under a microscope Robert KochA doctor from East -Prussia, catching a cold was accused of evil spirits, bad weather and medical enmas such as blood unuses. Koch’s findings the medical community in the late 19th century. Many of the dreaded disorders of humanity soon had microbial faces of a kind and, even more important, specific organisms for doctors and scientists to study: the cause of tuberculosis was identified in 1882, Cholera in 1883, Salmonella and Difterie in 1884, pnumononia in 1884. 1883, Popular science was one of the first publications to promote and promote emerging and controversial Scrap theory of diseases. Even as some in the medical community oppose increasing evidence for the germ theory, the 1880s became known as The Golden Age of Bacteriology. In the same decade, Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, developed the First human vaccineHe successfully prevented Rabies in a test subject with one person.
But Folklore is stubborn, able to oppose even the most compelling facts. By 1925, when Popular science reported The findings of the very first survey of the US Public Health Service about the cold, many still clung to outdated beliefs despite four decades of germination.
As much -ow writer Malcolm MacDonald noticed, the myth remained that a cold was usually caused by “bad weather or wet feet.” MacDonald pressed the case for germs as the cause of the cold, although no specific pathogen had yet been identified in 1925. “The cold, at least a few varieties, is extremely contagious,” wrote MacDonald. “Prevention lies in avoiding contact with patients.” We have learned a lot about the cold since 1925 – from the underlying viruses to seasonal. But we still contract it as often as we did a century ago; We still have the same symptoms for the same duration; And there is still no vaccine. In other words, “avoid contact with patients” remains the best prevention, even after a hundred years.
Only in the 1950s did the elusive origin of the cold began to get to the surface. Inspired by the success of Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine, some researchers pointed their sentences to cure the cold. But if Popular science reported in November 1955Scientists were catching up. It was not clear what viruses the cold caused, or how much there could be. Robert HuebnerA virologist in the American public health service, had identified adenovirus as a contributor in 1953, but it soon became clear that Adenovirus was not the only one. By 1956, Winston Price, a virologist from Johns Hopkins UniversityHad Rhinovirus discovered as another cause. Since Three types of rhinovirus have been identified (A, B and C).
The more scientists in the cold grooves, the more they learned that what we found as a cold was just a catch for similar symptoms of the upper breathing symptoms caused by different different virusesIntended for hundreds of different tribes. While rhinoviruses good for no less than 30-50 percent of the cold cold cases, and Unknown coronaviruses Another 10-15 percent, other causes include adenoviruses” Breathing syncytial viruses (RSV)And Parainfluenza (non-flu) viruses.
Although there are More than a billion cases Of the cold in the US in the US every year – on average two to four cases for each adult, more for children – there has been little progress in a vaccine due to the enormous number of viral strains on such a vaccine should focus. Fortunately one RSV -vaccine Is now available for vulnerable populations such as babies and the elderly. But RSV is only good for a fraction of colds. Even a Rhinovirus vaccine, that would require More than 100 tribes In one dose, a majority of cases would not occur.
While a universal cold vaccin remains elusive, many of MacDonald’s age -old observations have passed the test of time on prevention, treatment and seasonal. They remain creepy accurately the cause of the cold was not yet identified in 1925. For example, MacDonald went to the extreme to explain how stifling inner conditions can make us susceptible to colds during the winter months, writing: “This hot dry air is very irritating for the nerves and injuries to the eyes. It makes the nose of the nose and the creeps dry.” Macdonald was something on. We now know that although the weather is not a direct cause of a cold, our environment matters. Dry air – what or cold – can reduce mucous membrane defense, making people more sensitive to infections. We also know that ordinary cold viruses are highly contagious and are more easily spread indoors than outdoors through drops in the air, direct contact and polluted surfaces. Fortunately, the indoor environments of the 21st century are usually a bit more sanitary than in MacDonald’s Day, with improved ventilation systems and air purifiers.
MacDonald also mentioned the observation of the American Public Health Service about the seasonal influences of colds, with the greatest peak in October and a smaller peak in January. Similar peaks still exist, especially in northern regions, although they move a little. Today, just like in 1925, Seasonal peaks are often connected to the resumption of the school year (an October or fall, peak) and holiday gatherings (January), when people tend to gather indoors.
MacDonald even described certain risk factors for catching a cold. He claimed that “colds are the most inclined to attack overfeeding, understaffed and constipated people, and those who avoid fresh air.” Our 21st-century understanding of risk factors is slightly more nuanced. ‘Overfed, under -treated and constipated’ are alone risk factors If they represent psychological stress, which lowers the immune response on every infection. Like his lack of sleep, age and smoking, risk factors and car -immune disorders and other diseases.
Regarding the treatment of a cold, MacDonald advised a “warm bath bath” at the start of the symptoms, immediately followed by one to three days of rest “in a fairly well -ventilated room.” He also proposed the ‘right diet’, including ‘fruit and fresh vegetables and not too much meat or cakes’. According to the US Public Health Service Survey from 1925, the “average duration of the disability for all airway disorders, when such measures were taken, is slightly less than 6 ½ days”. MacDonald warned that not taking such measures can lead to much more serious conditions. His treatment recommendations and warnings still follow the advice of the 21st-century clinics, such as Johns Hopkins MedicineIncluding getting peace, drinking liquids, good food and the use of inner vapor players. Nowadays we have decongestants and painkillers that were not available in 1925, but there is still no remedy, and the duration of a cold is about the same – different days to a few weeks.
MacDonald’s article above all emphasizes how the US Public Health Service Survey from 1925 from 1925 to understand an early scientific approach to understand a first cold, to collect data at population level instead of anecdotal evidence. Building on that science has given us the tools for a century to better understand a cold – to know what causes them, how to prevent, how they treat and what the risk factors are for a more serious disease. Despite all this knowledge, the best advice in 2025 is not dramatically different from 1925: avoid contact with patients, rest and maintenance of healthy habits. We may not have a universal vaccine, but if we adhere to science, it can even be within reach – hopefully long before the next centenary of the groundbreaking article by Macdonald.
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