Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-22
CURES FOR INSOMNIA.
a Long List Of simple Remedies for
sieepiessness.
Good U0usek eepingl

tCood Uousekeeping.l
II will be interesting TO collect the
many remedies that have been sug-
gested for sleeplessness. A hot shower
bath at bed time cleanses the skin and
predisposes TO sleep it is claimed. The
lone sure and safe way" is TO take
brisk walk Of mile or two before going
20 bt d, and then, after the walk, holding
the head under stream OF cold water.
This, however. should be done when the
habit Of sleeplessness first begins.
A businessman with a mechanical
turn of mind should fix up his attic as
carpenters shop, and spend sn hour
therein after supper. Awalk of two or
three miles "a day is sufficient says one
writer. while another maintains that
nothing will do but horseback riding.
Again, relief from sleeplessness can be
found by wettinga linen kerchief, fold
ing it, and placing it under the back of
the neck, with dry cloth under the
kerchicf 10 protect the pillow. Still
again, warm the feet by friction, extra
Shippers, &c, aud cool the head either IN
a draft or with cold water or ice. One
sufferer has palliated the distress OF his
vigils 10y leaving his bed, lighting a
fire, and sitting in a chimney-corner
reading and eating by turns until the
demon minated desire 10 depart
4 physician writes that the evening
should be a period Of relaxation and re-
creation relief from care and anxiety to
be found in cheerful conversation, plea
SAINT games, and light reading-while
persons of sedentary occupation are to
take plenty Of open-air exercise.
feeble circulation is to be overcome,
and cold feet are to be warmed. The
stomach is to be attended 70 If the d.
eestion is not good. If it is overloaded
easy and refreshing sleep is impossible.
Weakly persons and invalids often find
n cupof hot broth or cruel. or some other
light and easily digestible food taken on re-
firing to he the most promotive of sleep.
The bed should neither be too hard nor
too soft, nor the clothing too abundant
nor too scanty All unpleasant sights,
sounds, and smells should be excluded.
Regular and early hours Of retiring are
essential No victim of insomnia can
with safety burn the midnight oil or en-
gage in evening dissipation. The man
who observes these precautions and adds
thereto clear conscience and sound
mind has the promise OF unfalling sleep.
A student troubled with insomnia dis
carded his feather pillow for one Of hair
with wonderful effect. The hair pillow
does not get warmed up to an uncom-
Portable degree, because it rapidly con-
ducts away the heat impaired TO 1t by
the head The same person found that
sleep could he brought on 10y simply
warning the body, especially the feet,
or by taking walk, or 10y cold shower
or sponge baths followed by rubbing
with a coarse towel Getting out OF bed
Tor few minutes when the air was cool
often brought relief. He had lain awake
half the night, and then, after being up
long enough to mix and drink a
lemonade, had fallen asleep at once on
going to bed. This student found that
a light lunch Just before going to bed
relieved his brain by drawing the blood
to his stomach.
Another victim Of sleeplessness found
that continuous low noise favored
sleep. The sound of water dropping on
a pan has been prescribed by a physl-
clan. The explanation seems to be that
q simple mOnotOnous impression qulcts
the brain 10y occupying it, to the eXclu-
sion of more varied and interesting and
therefore stimulating impressions. On
the same principle are the devices OF
counting backward or forward, imagining
sheep jumping one by one through
gate, &c, but they are open 10 the OBJ
lection of causing one portion OF the
brain to be exerted in order to control
tine rest of it.
4 man who has struck upon the
right plan at last" and who opens up
to the world something that Is calcu-
lated to make mankind rejoice and do
away with all drOwsiness, writes that
all YOU have to do IS to imagine your
self going on long journey. Think
over the details of it every night when
sleep laes. The plan made HIM
healthy and happy.
A physician has one simple remedy,
which requires no medicine. Compose
the mind as much as possible, ana con-
fine the thoughts to one subject, or
number or individual. and close the eye
lids, rolling the eyes continuously IN one
direction. In short time conscious
ress will be lost, and you will be III the
blssful land of dreams. After an expe-
rance of two years. another man found
that he was always able to go to sleep
very shortly after retiring to rest by
keeping his eyes looking down lie found
that they turned up when he was sleep
less and was cogitating something that
kept him awake.
An editor finds relief bv wetting cloth
with cold water and binding II across his
forehead. Another plan Is to draw in a
long, slow breath by the mouth and to
force the breath out through the nose,
imagining that the currents can be seen.
An attempt may also be made to read an
amusing novel in bed or to repeat IA
miliar poem; but all study or serious
reading should be stopped half an hour
before going to bed. In paper read by
a physician before the Boston Society
for Medical Improvement he SAID that
seeplessness is often caused by starga-
ton, and that a tumbler of milk drank
in the middle of the night will often put
people to sleep when hypnotics would
fail of their purpose.
NuthtII koiree-SpeaktDg Under
DldicultieS.
Nort Tho vear 1879 tpmDeTaQce sOcl-