OK, we know that it’s not true. What I want to know is when we found that out cold weather has nothing to do with it, and that they are caused by viruses. My guess is early in the previous century.
“OK, we know that’s not true.” Who are “we”?
Of course viruses are the immediate cause of colds, but that’s not to say that cold weather cannot weaken your immune system and make your body more susceptible to the viruses. There was a thread on this not too long ago. I was in the minority (of 1 or 2). Doesn’t mean the majority is right.
I don’t know when viruses were first discovered. I’m sure a google search can disclose that. Bacteria was found to cause diseases in the 19th century. Viruses are too small to be seen with a light microscope. It was not until the invention of the electron microscope that they could be detected.
http://athena.bioc.uvic.ca/bioc/courses/402/402.3.html
This states that the study of viruses are 100 years old. That’s surprising to me. I didn’t think they knew about viruses 100 years ago. I’m sure someone more learned than I will fill us both in.
I don’t see anything in Cecil’s reply about the humidity factor. I thought it was pretty well understood that the lower humidity that most of us subject ourselves to causes our mucus membranes to dry up thereby allowing aspirated infectious agents to make it all the way in to our vulnerable innards.
I’m sure Cecil himself will be along any minute to clear things up.