Helman looked at a lay person's belief's about colds, chills and fevers in a
London suburb. COlds are probably called a cold because of peoples belief in
aetiology

To quote peoples beliefs

 Colds and chills are caused by the penetration of the natural
environment(particularly areas of cold and damp) across the boundary of the
skin and into the human body.  In general, damp or rain(cold/wet
environments) cause cold/wet conditions in the body such as a "runny nose"
or a "cold in the head" while cold widns or draughts(cold/ dry environments)
cause cold/ dry conditions such as a feeling of cold shivering and muscular
aches.  Once they enter the body these cold forces can move from place to
place - from a head cold for example down to a chest cold. Chills occur
mainly below the belt eg  a bladder chill, a chill on the kidneys a stomach
chill and colds above it ( a head cold, a cold in the sinuses or a cold in
the chest).  These conditions are caused by careless behaviour by putting
oneself in a position of risk vis a vis the natural environment for example
walking barefoot on a cold floor washing your hair while you don't feel well
or siting in a draught after a hot bath


from Helman  Culture Health and Illness 3rd edition Heineman

Jim Bartley



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