The record-union., 1893-01-23
sLEEP-NDUCING MEDICINES.

Sleeplessness is a matter of profound
interest to vast number of people, for in
this age OF nerves and rush insomnia is
becoming alarmingly a complaint. DIR.
william A. Hammond's recent paper in
the North american ReUiea0 on the sub
Ject Will be received as a timely contribu-
ton IN this matter OF the prevalent mental
arrangement that prohibits sleep.
In dreams he AYERS the brain is not in
state of rest essential to good sleep; the
case of the Montpelier woman whose
brain was exposed to observation proved
thls to be so. as also does the observation
OF the lightly covered assures in the
Uranium of infants. DIR. Hammond had
case III 1854 in the army where he could
observe the brain of man in whose
skull fssure was broken by an acci-
dent. This case and Durham's expert
ments with dogs confirm the conclusion
that in good sleep the brain sinks and
rests, in dreams and wakefulness it rises
and expands.
Dlminution Of the blood circulating in
the brain is, then, the immediate cause of
sleep. 1t IS as with the engineer who
lowers and banks the fires of the furnace
while repairing damages. So whatever
increases the amount of blood in the
brain causes insomnia; whatever de-
creases it is productive of sleep. So ex-
traordinary mental activity and over
work distend the cerebral vessels and
increase their volume of blood. If long
continued the vessels lose their contract
ibility and remain surcharged with
blood. and wakefulness is the result of
this congestion.
Dr. Hammond, to simplify, compares
these vessels to rubber bands kept long
around packages at extreme tension.
When removed it is found that their
elasticity is reduced. So whatever treat
ment or practice will lessen the blood
volume in the brain conserves good sleep,
There are many medicines that have this
effect all organic, but which do not act as
does morphine. DIR. Hammond claims
that every well educated person ought to
have a general knowledge of medical
science to enable him to understand the
management generally of most diseases
and complaints to which man is subject.
But he does not wish it understood that
such knowledge qualities one to use the
means and processes employed by physi-
clans and surgeons, for one who works
on his own body is likely to do as much
injury as good, and labors at dangerous
disadvantage.
He then takes up various substances
and explains their action in the matter of
inducing sleep. Many of these are popu-
larly known and used too generally with
out medical advice and supervision. for
the good of the patients. 1t will be in
teresting to know something of these
medicines that we may be warned by be-
ing enlightened.
Paraldehyde has the odor of ether, and
has burning followed by cooling taste
like that of peppermint. 1t produces
sleep when given in an emulsion; does
not create gastric disturbance, and does
not tend to weaken the heart; but valu-
able as it is as hypnotic. no man should
use it without medical supervision.
Amylene hydrate is one of the alcohols,
colorless, has strong affinity for water,
and has an odor and taste like camphor
and peppermint. 1t is hypnotic, but not
very certain in its action; and. as to all
the others, should be used only under
medical advice. Methylae resembles the
first-named; causes a slight degree ofex-
citement at first, generally followed by
refreshing sleep. 1t is rapidly eliminated
from the lungs and effects are not perma-
nent, hence frequent doses are required,
1t is especially beneficial in delirium
tremens.
Hypnone is colorless liquid of sharp
taste and peculiar odor, heavier than
water, weakens the action of the heart,
and depresses the respiratory power.
Sulphonal is new and widely used
hypnotic. 1t occurs in prismatic crystals
having neither smell nor color, and is al
most tasteless. 1t produces refreshing
sleep, but requires from two to four hours
10 act. 1t was at first asserted to be per-
fectly safe medicine, but experience
proves it to be not unattended with
danger and several deaths have resulted
from its use. 1t has got extensively into
the hands of the laity, says DR.. Ham
mond, and many take it without medical
supervision. He says he has found sew
eral cases in which weakness of the heart,
stupor and even commissions have been
induced by its use.
This much used medicine is sometimes
productive, by repeated using, of wake
fulness, hysteria amounting to acute
mania, severe headache, dimness of sight,
etc. One may form the sulphonal habit
just as the opium habit is acquired. Its
doses require to be increased from time
to time in order to produce desired effects,
and hence the danger attending its con-
tinued administration. Like chloral, its
effects appear to depend on the state of
the patients system largely, so that what
is safe for one may be dangerous for an
other.
Chloralamid is the most recent of the