Pat Shingleton: "David the Shepard and Colds"
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Thousands visit the Galleria dell' Academia in Florence, Italy each year. They view the 17-foot-tall masterpiece of Michaelangelo Buonarroti's biblical shepherd, known as David. Over the years, weather has advanced the aging of the 506 year-old statue. In 1512, lightning struck its base and in 1527 the left arm was broken during riots against Florence's ruling Medici family. From 1808 through 1815, the statue was coated with wax for weather proofing and later cleaned with steel brushes and an acidic solution. Current repairs include cotton swabs and distilled water, applied on the face to remove contaminants from the body. Experts protect the statue by applying cellulose pulp and clay. In 1991, a vandal smacked David's foot with a hammer. Also, Researchers believe a modest chill is good for your vascular system. Mom relied on mustard plasters, Vick's Vapo-Rub and salt-water gargling to relive symptoms. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases verify that drastic changes in temperature are not responsible for these types of illnesses. Germs are primarily transmitted through direct contact and the Institute determined that people tend to be sick, at this time of year, due to time spent indoors. In an environment of dry, indoor air, viruses thrive and are enhanced by way of direct contact. Colds and flu are prevented by hand washing and a little "chill-out" can assist.