The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-06-22
IDAHO WORLD.
sLEEP-A C0MMoN-sENsE VIEW.
BIZ PROF. JOHN D. scHwIN.


that of sleep Men have examined it on scien
tific principles, and subjected it to scientifi,
rules; but they never once thought of examin
ing it in the light of common sense.
Writers differ very greatly on this subject
Some would have us commit an unpardonabl,
sin if we slept more than four or FIVE hours
out of twenty-four, while others very inagnan
imously allow us eight; and others still are 81
lavish as to give US ten.
Sleep is a necessity: without it we wou!t
suffer speedy dissolution. Every act that W.
perform, every movement that we make, ever,
thought that passes through our minds, every
emotion that stirs our souls, breaks down
certain amount of nervous tissue, aud leave,
Jus weaker than before. These broken cell.
can be repaired during sleep only The sys
TEN, exhausted by physical and mental labor
during the day, must be built up and strength
ened for the next days work during the dark
still hours of the night, while the senses are
locked in slumber, and the mind and muscles
are oil relaxed; for at no other time is this
process of building up carried on.
1t Is impossible to lay down rules regulating
the amount of sleep necessary for each indi-
vidual; some persons need much more than
others The amount necessary depends much
upon the age, health, temperament and climate.
&NUN RtOROSC W tCtliuiu VII tuC Siiic sue uIu
this side is clearly pointed out to us by the die.
tates of common sense.
i We propose to lay down this one simple rule !:
SLEEP WHILE 1T is DARK whether that be
long or short. This is the rule nature teaches
us, and her teaching is always correct. AS
soon as it is dark, labor and study should be
laid aside; the mind and muscles should be
gradually relaxed by light exercise and pleas
ant. cheerful conversation, until twilight has
deepened into darkness, and then, when the
system has been tempered down evenly, and
the mind is at perfect rest, go to sleep-and
you will not wake until the sky lark calls you
in the morning, when the first mellow light of
approaching day shoots up in the East; then is
the time to rise, and not sooner If this rule
be adhered to, every morning will fud you
fresh and vigorous-prepared to lice and enjoy
life; and every returning night will find you
ready to relish sound, sweet, refreshing sleep.
1t is no argument against this, to say that
there would be great waste of time during
the long nights of winter. When winter ap-
proaches it finds us broken-duwn, debilitated,
and relaxed by the heat of long summer.
During the winter, then, this waste must be
repaired, the system must be fortified aad the
strength renewed tor another summer, with its
hot days and short nights.
There is nothing gained By "burning the mid
night OIL" The body is cramped and deformed
by bending over dry books; the mind is kept
on an unnatural strain the eyes are injured by
the unnatural light; and when at last sleep is
sought, the mind is all active, excited and wide
awake. The body being tired and worn out it
must have sleep, 50 the two &c: in opposition
to each other, and the consequence is troubled,
dreamy sleep, which does not refresh or build
up the system. Then, just as the mind has be-
come relaxed, and sleep begins to refresh, the
!" alarm" set to wake the sleeper is sounded.
and he must rise unrefreshed and uninvigor
ated, or neglect the business set apart for the |
day or try to renew the slumber that has been
broken when least agreeable to the sleeper
1t is against the teachings of nature to SUP |
pose that we should labor during the hours of
darkness Our eyes are made only to see by |
The light OF day, and any method by which We
lengthen out the day is artificial and was not
comprehended in the original design; and if
We so lengthen it out we rob ourselves, and
make of none effect the laws of God
know many cases to be cited of men who
took only four or five hours sleep during the
night, who rose early and accomplished much
but they are only the exception, and by no
means the rule. Occasionally there may be
found man who is SO hardy and blessed with
any very material Inconvenience by losing part
Of the hours that should be devoted to sleep
but this is by no means true of the majority of
mankind.
believe that by observing the simple teach.
ngs of nature in this respect, a great amount
IF suffering could be avoided, and life could be
enlightened many years.
so much for the time when to sleep. and the
mount necessary. A few practical sugges-
ions may be profitable in this connection
Feathers make very unhealthy bed, be-
ause they retain the heat and keep the tenn.
'erature of the body too high, thus debilitating
ne skin and rendering the system liable to con-
ract cclds: they also retain the moisture and
waste matter thrown out by the lymphatics,
vhich is absorbed, producing disease. a dry
traw bed, or, what is better, hair mattress,
hould be used
The bed should be level; high pillows should
e-avoIded; they throw the head into an un.
afural position, produce stuop shoulders, and =
revent the free flow of blood to the brain.
Never place very young person in the same !
ed with very old one the younger will suf
or by loss of vitality and heat One in /.
ed is better than two. [Can't see it, always. :
The right side is best to lie upon if the bed
lands in the southwest corner and YOU are IN y
ront1 it leaves the action of the heart free ;,
nd precludes the probability of undue press
re on any of the large blood vessels: but gem ?
rally the body may be allowed to select it's
wn position
Sleep with the mouth closed and you will I
80 likely to have sore throat.
are Va. ,
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