The sun., 1898-06-19
rANrA11g1NG THE sLEEP1ESs.
Comments by . sunerer Upon Ono FSan 10
AV0io1nG Insomnia.


AVoidanG Gnaomnta.
1T belong to the modern noble army OF mar
tyrs," said q young woman. I'm an alleged
brainworker. Tho results don't justify the
title perhaps. but that isn't the point. Tho
work do In generally classed az hrainworla so
lot it go at that.
"Well, whether it's because really do over
tax my feeble mental powers, or because worry
because I don't tax them enough. or because
haven't enough exercise, 1t is fact that there
arc times when don't get enough sleep. Or 1
think DON'T and that amounts to the same
thing. Consequently always hail with Joy any
advice on the subject Of overcoming Insomnia.
at present have such q valuable fund Of nfor-
nation along this line that can almost put my
self to sleep by counting the methods'which
have tried and found wanting.
"The other day / was waiting for q train at
one OF the elevated railroad stations. and as
stood there looked over the display of reading
matter on the news stand. My heart leaped
within me when In Q certain table OF contents
saw the title. Mental Control of Sleep. My
train was Just rumbling up. didn't have
time to take poop at tho article and find out
whether it would be of any use to me. I put
down my 20 CENTS took up my magazine and
ran for the train.
"I read the article on my way downtown, and
was so mad that / accidentally kicked the old
gentleman next to me. which somehow made
me feel better. though doubt il it did as much
for him. You see It wasn't the first time that
had read one of that same brand of insomnia
articles. and wanted my 20 cents back. If
there is one thing more irritating than another
to q person who has courted sleep unsuccess-
fully, weary night after weary night. 1t is to be
told. as. for instance, in the language of this
ticle the other day:
go Instead of taking ones cares to bed, one
| should dismiss them the moment one begins to
undress. Thinking is voluntary. Tho current
of thought can be stopped by an act OF the will
| as promptly and almost mechanically the
water can bo turned of at the bathroom faucet
"Sang or no slang. that makes mo tired.
| This turning of thought when every nerve in
your body and brain 10 buzzing away Is about az
sensible as to try to turn off thunderstorm by
| plugging hole in village switchboard. Tho
| man who wrote this article, however. doesn't
| think 80. This is what he says about people
like me:
"'The trouble with US when we say we " can't
stop thinking is really that we do not want to.
Like the self-deluded victims Of bibulous in
diligence. the man that cannot stop could stop
II he would. There is no limit to the power
of an intelligent will. Humboldt could live and
sleep out of the twenty-four. Edison once re-
mained awake for seventy-two hours in ofder to
D
are but little harder than that of going to sleep
at will. which Napoleon with Europe on his
shoulders. WAS able to do. Almost any business
man would pronounce them easier; but sleep.
being normal. should be far more readily en-
| joyed than dispensed with
"'The New Testament-which, among other
admirable things, iB good and simple expo
sition of healing philosophy-giveB a recipe for
the cure of insomnia. Tho New Testament tell s
you what to employ--a better medicine than
any drug" Take no thought for the moro n.
Stop thinking. that Is to say, and go to sloep II
there is some weiRhty decision to be made the
hour will find you equal to 1t.
Now. what do you think of that or course.
1t Is not necessary deliberately to worry and
think and plan after one goes 10 bed. But like
thinking and 20 to sleep. Idon't believe any.
body can make the mind a perfect blank
That's n fRvOTite phrase.
, "Tll wager one thing, either the writer's OF
such articles havo never known personally the
, terrors Of insomnia, or they have happily re
covered heir nervous oquil ibrium, and have for
. gotten what they went through, As for me,
! have suffered from sleeplossnoss; ] have re
covered hut have not forgotten. And my n
| vice to those who arc still suffering is tn
| Turn off the faucet OF Thought. rs tho gem 4
> man suggests. II you crn. Take lois and l. h
OF out door oyercisc. Drink some hot milk v
fore you go bed Get out OF tho city II cor ' 2
= ient-or inconrenient Re Just as hhT /y
seem little Of tn. nature OF the one nho' n tur
Ing Off thought. II isn't, however. tn ne Is
good testimony to the contrary. Cons Iurntl
my prescription is: Country nirhts, pNercls
Q hot milk and happiness And I've be' n throuI
| the mill. ~