The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-10-02
Natural Sleep.

- fcp 10 nerve blhttJ NhtALCl III
part sleeping be the brain, or certail
parts of that organ, the muscular sys
TEN, or the viscera. The modification
which take place in the vessels supply
ing the organ or system that sleeps ar,
the effects or consequences, instead o
the causes Of it's condition. Habi
greatly helps the performance Of thC
initial act; and the cultivation Of habi
Of going to sleep in a particular way
at q particular time, will do more t.
procure regular and healthy sleep thar
any other artifce. The formation o.
the habit, is, in fact, the creation ol
development OF a special center ol
combination IN the nervous system
which will henceforward produce SLEEP
as natural rhythmical process. II thii
were more generally recognized, persons
who suffer from sleeplessness Of the sort
which consists in being simply unable
to go to sleep would set themselves
resolutely to form such a habit. 1t il
necessary that the training should be
specific, and include attention TO details.
1t is not very important what person
does with the intention of going to
sleep; but be should do precisely the
same thing in the same way, at the same
time, and under as nearly as possible
the same conditions, night after night
for considerable period-5ay, three or
four weeks at least. The result will
amply reward the effort.
Position effects sleep. A constrained
or uncomfortable posture will often
prevent repose. Lying fat on the back
with the limbs relaxed would seem to
secure the greatest amount of rest foI
the muscular system. This is the po-
sition assumed in the most exhausting
diseases, and it is generally hailed as
a token of revival when a patient vol
unfairly turns on the side; but there are
several disadvantages in the supine
posture which impair or embarrsss
sleep. Thus, in weakly states of the
heart and blood.vessels, and i'll certain
morbid conditions Of the brain, the
blood seems to gravita te to the back of
the head, and to produce troublesome
dreams. In persons who habitually, in
their gait or work, stoop, there is prob.
ably some distress consequent on
Strengthening the spine. Those who have
contracted chests, especially persons
who have had pleurisy and retain adhe-
sions of the lungs, do not sleep we'll on
the back. Nearly all who are inclined
10 snore do SO when in that position,
because the soft palate and uvula hang
on the tongue, and that organ falls back
so as to partially close the top of. the
windpipe. 1t is better, therefore, to
lie on the side; and in the absence OF
special chest. disease, rendering it desira-
BILE to lie on the weak side SO as to leave
the healthy lung free to expand, it is
well to choose the right side, because
when the body is thus placed the food
gravitates more easily out of the stom.
ach into the intestines, end the weight
OF the liver does not compress theupper
portion OF the intestines. A glance at
any plate Of the visceral anatomy will
show how this must be. Many persons
are deaf in one ear, and prefer to lie on
particular side; but, if possible, the
right side should be chosen, and the
body rolled little forward, so that any
saliva which may be secreted shall run
easily out OF his mouth, if not uncon-
sciously swallowed. Again, sleeping
with the arms thrown over the head is
to be deprecated; but this position is
often assumed during sleep, because the
circulation is then free in the extremities
and the head and neck, and the muscles
Of the chest are drawn up and fixed by
the shoulders, and thus the expansion
of the thorax is easy. The chief objeo-
tions to this position are that it Greatest
tendency to cramp and cold in the arms,
and sometimes seems to cause headache
during sleep, and dreams. These small
matters often make or mar comfort in
sleeping. g.-Harper's Weekly