Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-21

rRev. E. p. Powell in Christian Regstcr.l

GRcv. Z. p. Powell in Christian Regs'erl
Insomnia and dyspepsia are consecutive
diseases. Any false use of the Iody or OF
the mind brings on disordered digestion, ana
insomnia follows. | doubt If ever one
suffered from wakefulness until the nerves
of the stomach are in sympathy with Inc
mind, so as to render that organ unable to
perform its functions. Insomnia is not only
consequence of dyspepsia but, once
established as habit or disease, ii ngsra-
Yates the other ailment TO an uncndulable
agony.
Tormcnted with insomnia at one time, my
nights were more wcarying than days. All
ordinary drugs failed 10 give the boon oi
sleep. Just then chlOral hydrate was MS
covered. 1t was prescribed by phNs'oln
of good judgment, ms the long desired boon
for tired nerves. 1t is because ! Know so
many are using this drug that wfi'c ms
article
AT the time the real nature Of chlolal
hydrltc was not understood. 1t carries the
blood with force from the cXtrcmitics to the
heart. Ii docs its work renal kably well, SO
far as securing sleep is concerned. 1t is not
like the opium habit, for no one can ever
use chloral for pleasure; nor is II llkely 10
he used for any purpose but to secure steep.
Yet it is a deadly drug, and sure OF COM
petcly dcstr, yng the whole functions OF
mind and body.
It's first apparent tendency is to poison the
blood aud produce red blotches on the skin.
1t tends also 10 paralyzc the cNtremelieS.
The temperature OF the body is lowered 10y
its use, but more particularly of the head
and feet. Then follow neuralgia pains, OF
| accuic and terrible sort in the legs and AIMS
and head. The throat is partially paralyzed,
making it difficult to cnunciatc III puhll :,
when one first rises to speak. The BRAIN is,
of course, impaired, as is also the heart, Tor
natural circulation.
The result in my own case came near beng
| fatal that it was not entirely so was owing
| to strong rccuperativc powers, and to fleeing
from my work to proper rest and retirement.
Those who are using choral should stop at
once, aud so adjust their lives rs to secure
rest by natural means lis use creates Ter
ior at bedtime if one he so situated as not
10 secure it,-a sort Of delicious horror. 1t
gets complete mastery. The dose must then
he increased and the final consequences may
be sudden death. 1t is, in fact, most
violent poison, doing its work thoroughly
| but not speedily.
The moral evil resulting frem the use of
chloral is proportioned to the intellectual
damage. 1t simply untoncs the whole
system, and puts everything to false issues.
The habtual user becomes frctful and sus-
picious, is uncertain and irrcsolutc, and
incapable of any really unseliish view of
| life. Then follows the misery Of knowing
that you are not al your best; that you really
cannot be understood, and are losing all
| ability to be Yourself One of the very worst
of the peculiar effects of the drug is to lead
its victims TO a self conscious condition of
action. One of the aLlest English poets
died within the past few yeats, victim OF
this drug and it is said that two other noted
men in England whose deaths were sudden
were killed by the same means.
am aware that the Chloral habit is not by
any means peculiar to the ministry, but that
it is the danger of all professional persons,
men and women. OvertaXed mothers are
using it; and | am told that in minimum
doses, it enters into the narcotics given to
babies lnlanticidc would hardly be a
greater crime. 1t is certain that the increase
of deaths by heart disease is largely deaths
from chloral.
But can the habit be broken, and insom-
MIA at the same time be wardci of: 1t
certainly is possible. For the past five years
have not used grain of chloral or any
other drug but have invariably slept like
child, soundly ard all night long, The
means are simple but absolute. II You arc
a preacher and do not sleep, you must give
up that work, unless you Can 50 arrange your
life as 10 avoid the cares and worries that
upset you. You must do that which you
can do with tendency to repair, and not a
tendency to exhaustion. My own method
was to flee TO horticulture, which | heartily
enjoy, and to work among my fruits, flowers,
animals, ard with my boys. The result Is
that am.able to work from five in the morn
ing till six at night, if necessary, with such
manual labor as like. am doing more
mental work by far than ever before, besides
preaching regularly, In fine, good deal
Of ministerial lie is unnatural and de-
structIve.