The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-07-08
How to Sleep at Night.


The habit of taking any of the narcotic
or sleep producing medicines is a most
pernlcious one, and never fails to weaken
the general health and increase the very
evil it is meant to relieve Alcohol, OPT
um, camphor, bromide of potassium, ex-
tract of hemlock, henbane, hops, and In
dian hcmps, are all used in their turn to
calm sensitive nervous systems, and invoke
the drowsy god. They are each and all
to be condemned, more especially the last
mentioned. If any man wishes to feel
bigger fool than usual on any particular
day, let him GO to sleep on the previous
night under the influence of Indian hemp.
He will awake with head-iudged by his
own feelings-as large as kettle-drum,
and just as empty.
But of all narcotics, hydratc of chloral,
now so much in use, is the worst The
dangerous drug, first introduced into
pharmacopGia about four or five years ago,
is now in daily use among large section
of the public, not only as a narcotic, but,
in smaller doses, as an intoxicant. The
sensation produced by its use is similar to
that from dose of 'hasheesh" "A mixture
of Indian hemp and opium. This dose
must be increased, and in every case after
a few months, new disease called chlora-
lism is induced This is characterized by
an entire collapse of nervous energy the
power Of volition is lost, the patient be-
comes cmaciatcd, suffers from extreme rest
lessness, burning pains in the head and eye
balls, and pains resembling those Of rheuma-
tism in the limbs and along the course of
the larger veins he gets weaker and weak
er, and finally dies from failure of the hearts
action.
The best-naturcd narcotic and the only
medicine for the cure of sleeplessness Is
ozone. Inhale it seek it on the noun
tain's brow seek it on on the sea shore far
from town and turmoil, far from care and
trouble. How the mountain air rejuyc-
mates the system how the breezes that
blow from off the blue water calm and
soothe the nerves ''It is delicious mo-
ment," says an old book, ''that of being
well ncstcd in bed and feeling that you will
drop gently to sleep. The limbs have just
been tried enough TO render the remaining
in one postured lightful. The labor of the
day is over \ gentle failure of the per-
ceptions come creeping over one the spirit
Of consciousness disengages itself more
by degrees, like a mother detaching her
hand from a sleeping infant. The mind
seems to have a balmy lid closing over it
like the eye. 'Tis closing-tis closed
and the mysterious spirit has gone to take
its airy rounds.
Contrast this with the condition of
man suffering from insomnia. He needed
rest, oh 50 much His mind needs it
but his ovcrstretched brain capillaries fail
to contract so he tosscs about on his bed
in vain. Hour after hour goes by, and
still he sleeps not, while troublesome, tir-
ing thoughts chase each other through his
burning brain, until, perhaps, toward morn-
ing, nature exhausted at last, his busy
thoughts resolve themselves into harrassing
dreams, and he sinks for awhile into inscn-
sibility Eve cannot call it Sleep to rise from
his couch more tired and unrefreshed than
when he lay down.
Sleep is sometimes banished by persons
going to bed with an empty stomach ; and
if one has been lying awake for half the
night sleep can be induced 10y eating a small
sandwich, and drinking desert spoonful
of brandy in small quantity of water
Having Il hot water bottle in bed is bad
practice, and often incites instead Of calm
ing the nerves but bathing the feet in hot
water, and sponging the body with tepid
or cold, has generally a very good effect.
SO has rag dipped in cold water and
placed on the forehead and eyes. \ bottle
of soda water, with fifteen grains Of car
Donate of soda dissolved in it is a good mar
cotic. So is a hard mattress, with Il
sparing amount of bed-clothcs.-Haper 5