River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-02
Concerning Sleep.
Evil Results otthe Modern Lack of Re
pose.

EVIL Results otthe Modern Lack of Re-
pose.
A medical man of emincnce believes
that he has discovered that WEAKNESS is
caused by what he calls =" fatigue mater
ial," a substance found in the blood by
the action of the muscles and nerves, and
which he alleges is only destroyed by the
oxygen of the blood during sleep. This
statement Is not yet demonstrated, but
whether continued experiment proves or
disproves it, thei importance of sleep as
giving opportunity for the repair of
wasted tissues, and winding up the says
tenn for fresh work, cOnnot be Overesti-
mated. One great cause of the superior
health of our pattern ancestors over the
men and women of to-day was that they
slept more. There were other differences
in their favor but this was one of the
most important
That was a rare occasion OF pleasure,
business or necessity that kept a young
person, at least, out of bed Until mid
night, and their robust forms and healthy
color proved the value of early hours and
abundant rest. Certainly they did not
have so lively a time as we do; did not
crowd so much excitement into a given
period, but as they lived longer and had
simpler tastes, it seems probable that
they got quite as much Of life.
One meets on every hand tired looking
young men whose faces evoke pity. A
hasty inference might be drawn from the
oft-repeated injunctions Of health critics
not to over-study or Over-woIk, that their
wan faces
Are sicklied DER with the pale cast Of
thought
But such is not often the case, nor are
many of them suffering from too great
exertion of muscles. They are exhausted
from lack of sleep, that is all; but it is
serious matter, for giving themselves too
little time at night for tired natures
sweet restorer' to repair damages. they
are not only spending each day the
strength gained at night, but drawing
out their capital. BY and-bye, when an
emergency comes, there is no reserved
strength to meet it, and they become
physically bankrupt, involving those d
pendent upon them in distress ofOne sort
or another
In most cases it is the unrestrained
love of amusement that causes this wrong
doing. Exciting forms of pleasure which
are protracted to and beyond midnight
are INDUCED in, not once or twice
month, but nightly, and iTeparable in
roads are made upon the constitution, at
a period when the body is not yet hard
ened for life's work, by too great and con-
slant excitement, as well as by insufficient
sleep. Not only so, but while the capac
ity for simple pleasures is smothered, so
much indulgence in mere amusement robs
it of all zest. Young misanthropes who
have drained their cups of life to the
dregs are not infrequent. They 60 to bed
tired. rise unrested, and go TO their daily
tasks without interest. They conclude
that life doesn't pay, and the are right
1t does not pay them because they misuse
it.
1t has no sparkle, and they come to
their sere and yellow leaves before they
are fairly men. The worst feature Of all
is, indulging constantly their desire for
pleasure they lose the powers of re-
straint. Il wish" rules them instead Of
Il ought and instead of being manly
self-denying. energetic, studious, they are,
as one of George Elliot's sharp women
says: Poor, squashy things. The