Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-23
CURES FOR INSOMNIA.
Simple Remedies For q Disease Hard
to Overcome.

Simple Remedies For Disease Hard
to Overcome.
From the Pttsburs Dispatch.
sleeplessness is dangerous. Il will prevent
the rebuilding of the body after sickness and
will waste away the most robust IL not checked.
And, worse than all, il is Q prolific source Of
madness. To become unable 10 sleep soundly,
or even reasonably well, is cause for serious
alarm. 1t is also a source Of great suffering.
Any remedy, therefore, which will induce
sleep TO kiss the eyelids which have
wooed the drowsy god in vain viii
prove boon to every one. The causes
OF insomnia are legion, but outside Of gen.
eral nervous debility and chronic disor-
der OF the nervous system, whether caused
from mental or nervous disease. or from some
injury to the nerve centers, the causes of sleep
lessness may be put down TO anything that
causes the blood 10 flow to the brain in in
creased quantities. Strong physical exercise,
rapid breathing or deep thought will, accord
ing TO the best authorities, conduce TO bring
about state of sleeplessness And unless
checked II Will grow until IL becomes very
serious. 1t may be stated, a fact over looked
by many who nnd themselves unable to sleep,
that their Insomnia arises from carelessness on
their part IN failing 10 observe certain easily as
certained rules IN regard to sleeping.
THE BEST TIME TO SLEEP
The body cannot sleep while the brain il ex-
cited. Any thing which will diminish the Gov
Of blood to the brain will allay excitement.
Very deep, slow and quiet respiration will
soothe the brain TO a great degree and at the
same time serve the purpose OF detracting the
attention OF the mind from the matters which
may disturb il. Moderate heat, monotony Of
sound and darkness tend to make one sleepy
The only effect OF darkness is to shut out ex-
ternal objects, and thus assist in quiet
ing the mind The notion that sleep
obtained in the daytime 10 not bene-
hcial has no reason TO support il. Sleep is
sleep, and, II one can sleep soundly and well
in the dayt me, il serves the same purpose as
sleep obtained at night. But few people can
do this account of the light and noise.
Hence, the old but erroneous idea that only
sleep at night could thoroughly rest and re-
cuperate the body and mind after their labors.
This is abundantly proved in the case Of in
fants and convalescents. Both sleep in day
time equally well at night, and both
grow more while sleeping than while awake.
PURE AIR A NECESSITY.
Cool, fresh air is the best TO sleep in. Ex-
IRENE heat and closeness of the air tend to pro-
vent sleep, as does profuse Precipitation. The
teeth should be well cleaned and the mouth
rinsed before going to sleep. After all these
necessary rules have been observed, and still
sleep refuses TO come at the bidding of the
pleading eyelids, one may be sure they are
suffering from insomnia, and should seek to
induce sleep by any means. But how to do
this has been the question with many, and
physicians called in and sleeping potions
taken. all of which will fail in nine cases out Of
ten. But what then, is TO be donel This ID what
thousands ofsleepless persons have asked. There
are many sure aud simple remedies The most
celebrated remedy was that Of a Mr.. Gardner
OF England. 1t was known to the entire read
ing world about thirty years ago, but having
been out OF print in recent years only older peo-
pie remember it. Physicians who make speci-
atty of nervous diseases are familiar with il and
| recommend il in nearly all cases
where q patient suffers from insomnia.
MIR. Gardner was man of wealth and
culture, and had accumulated a number
Of remedies, such as for allaying thirst where
liquids could not be procured, for temporarily
appeasing the pangs of hunger and for improy-
ing the eyesight by certain ingeniously con-
trived glasses. He became a great sufferer
from insomnia caused by an injury TO his
spine by falling out OF a chaise. His suferings
were intense for years, until he discovered the
remedy which never failed TO induce sleep in
him whenever tried. and which Is said 10 have
never failed en- any one who has tried IL and
reported on the success. Its publication caused
great stir at the time, both in the medical
world and among the people generally.
REMEDIES FOR INSOMNIA.
Mr.. Gardner said: ''The sufferer who wishes
to sleep must lie on his right side, with his
head placed comfortably on the pillow, having
his neck straight, SO that respiration viii mot
be hindered in the least. The lips are then 10
be closed slightly and full inspiration taken.
breathing through the nostrils only IL possible.
The full inspiration taken the lungs are TO be left
to their own action. Attention must now be fxed
Up on the respiration. The person must imagine
that he sees the breath pass from his nostrils
in a continuous stream, like steam from an ex-
haust pipe. The instant he brings his mind TO
conceive that he thus sees his breath, and,
grasping this idea apart from all Others,
consciousness leaves him and he falls asleep.
II this method does not at once suo-
coed IL is to be persevered in, and IL properly
carried out is believed to be infsllible. IL 10
founded on the principle that monotony or the
influence on the mind Of q single idea in
duces Sleep" The above has been tried in
many different forms-that is, the idea has
been carried out on the same principle. Thus,
Sir Thomas Brown found il good soporifc 10
repeat some verses on which the well-known
evening hymn is founded. Rabelais tells us Of
some monks, who, when wakeful resolutely
set themselves TO prayer, and before they had
said half dozen ayes or paternosters would
fall sound asleep. The same thing is noticed in
our churches to this day by people who are mot
monks.
SOME NOTED SUFFERERS.
Ben Franklin took his air bath, going through
the imaginary additions as il in pool, and
was thus always able TO produce sleep, though
he suffered with insomnia to a great degree.
Prof Agassiz, the great scientist, suffered .
great deal from sleeplessness, and used to
soothe his mind TO rest by gently
waving his right hand in the air a. II
making a figure eight very slowly. Audubon
the naturalist, induced sleep by closing his
eyes and breathing slowly and regularly and
rolling his eyes downward as If looking st his
feet through the closed lids. sold Hickory"
Jackson sometimes suffered from Insomnia,
and is said to have always counted l.000-xa
least that he always started out with his mind
fixed on the task Of counting 1000, but that he
said he never reached that number before -
would drop OF into inconsistencies.
STRONG RECOMMENDATION.
These remedies are all simple and worth try.
ing. They have the weight Of great authority
and have the testimony of Thousands Who hsvs
tried them Is 10 their efficacy. A sleepless-
ness IL . common complaint, and o. IL 10 dan
gerous il not checked, il 10 worth while for any
one suffering thus TO try the suggestions. They
are founded on reason and on what the best
authorities give Is being the surest method Of
soothing the brain and mind into quietuds and
rest-monotony and concentration ON one iosa
>o>-
eS TO ATLANTIC CRY AND Rxrunx.-Ths
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other special excursion 10 Atlantic City eatur-
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Tickets will be aold for special train LEAVING