The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-11-08


Positions that WOO sleepin vietimsof
insomnia. Is an interesting study made
by a well-known metropolitan physi-
ciau-W Whitman V. White, Of 1865
Madison avenue, Brooklyn. DR..
White Is q specialist on nsr<oAS dis
eases and iB mild but emphatic man.
ner scores his professional brethren for
their free administration Of narcotics
He denounces the practice as unneces-
sariIy taxing on the disorganized sys-
tens OF insomnia patients In many
cases. In his own experience be has
found simple method adequate with
out weakening after effects, likely to
produce increased symptoms
Through study based on the laws
Of physiology in human anatomy ex-
tending over q period Of dozen or
more years, have learned that under
certain physical malcondltions," said
the physician, "the subject may be
given relief by sssuming positions at
rest as will from the ease thus afforded
the affected parts serve as q natural
somnoleDt agency. II will be readily
understood that q constrained position
will tend to prevent natural repose,
while q comfortable one viii WOO It.
But what may in most cases seem to be
position of ease, may in reality be the
reverse.
"For instance, sdyspeptic will rest
more easily lying on the right side, for
the simple reason that In that position
the food naturally gravitstes out OF the
stomach and into the intestines, while
If lying on the opposite side that organ,
in Its weakened state, has to perform
an uphill process of digestion. This
is amply sufficient TO produce insom-
MIA.
"Lying hat on the back, with the
limbs relaxed, would seem to secure
the greatest amount of rest for the
muscular system, whether In good
health or illness. Such is the position
advocated by physicians generally in
the most exhausting diseases, and II Is
hailed as sign OF rapid recovery when
patient exhibits an inclination to
turn on either side. But, at the same
time, there are several disadvantages
in the supine posture which impair or
embarrass sleep, whether in case Of
severe illness or ordinary health. Thus,
in weakly states Of the heart or blood
vessels, and certain morbid conditions
of the brain, the blood seems to gravi-
tats to the back of the head and to ac-
eordingly produce troublesome dreams.
believe that much of that weakening
daIirium which the physician has to
contend with in treating serious mala-
dies is often oecasioned in this way.
ain persons who habitually stoOp In
their 2 ait or work, either as result Of
the requirements Of their occupation
o. from the course Of their physical de-
velOpmsnt, there must necessarily be
some distress consequent In straighten-
ing the spine. It may not be sufficient
to cause pain and yet be such q strain
as to prevent perfect ease. The result
is unconscious restIessness, which Is
the producer of insomnia.
''People who have contracted chests
cannot sleep well lying upon their
backs. This rule applies especially to
those who have suffered with pleurisy
and retain adhesions of the lungs.
They will find it easier to get to sleep
upon the right side, and that their
somnolent rest will do them more good
If they observe this advice. Further
more, the habit Of lying on the back Is
the creator of snoring, which much be-
Iabors sleep and prevents the subject
from receiving the full benefit of its
recupersting effects
SIT is desirable, therefore, in all cases,
to lie on the side, aud In the absence Of
special diseases rendering it more de-
sirable to lie on the weak side, which
leaves the strong lung free to expand,
the right side should be chosen. A
glance at any plate OF the visceral
anatomy will show that when the
body is thus placed the food in the pro-
cess Of digestion is greatly aided in
its passage from the stomach into the
intestines. Here the principle Of gray-
itation directly applies Then the fact
/ that the stomach Doesn't compress the
upper portion Of the intestines is still
another advantags to be gained from
lying on the right side, when sleep
EOoing ease to the entire human mech
Anism is under serious consideration
ain conclusion, I wish to refer to
some injurious eeeentrieities, or fads,
in sleeping, which have observed A
wealthy woman once came to me for
treatment for bad dreams of the order
commonly called nightmare. Upon
making inquiry discovered that she
was in the habit of lying at rest with
her arms thrown up over her head, a
position greatly to be deprecated, al
though it will induce sleep in persons
who have weak lungs The eircula-
ton is thereby made stronger in the
extremities, and the head and neck
s1d muscles of the chest are drawn up
and relaxed by the shoulders.