Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-27

on nervous diseases and In a mild
but emphatic manner scores his pro-
fessional brethren for their free admin
istration Of narcotics. He denounces
the practice as unnecessarily taxing
on the dlsorganixed systems Of insom-
mia patients in many cases. In his
own experience he has found simple
method adequate without weakening
after effects likely to produce increas-
ed symptoms.
Through a study based on the laws
Of physiology in human anatomy ex-
tending over a period Of a dozen or
more years / have learned that under
certain physical malcondltions," said
the physician, "the subject may be
given relief by assuming positions at
rest that will from the ease afforded
the affected parts serve as a natural
somnolent agency. 1t will be readily
understood that constrained position
will tend to prevent natural rapose.
while comfortable one will WOO 1t.
But what may In most cases seem to
be position of ease may in reality be
the reverse.
'F0r instance, a dyspeptic will rest
more easily lying on the right side for
the simple reason that in that position
the food naturally gravitates out of the
stomach and into the intestines. while
IL lying on the opposite side that or
gan in its weakened state, has to per-
form an uphill process Of digestion.
This is amply sufficient to produce in
somnin.
Lying fat 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 exhnusting diseases, and 1t
is hailed as a sign of rapid recovery
when a patient exhibits an inclination
to turn on either side. But nt 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-
tate to the back of the head and to ac-
cordlngly produce troublesome dreams.
I believe that much Of that weaken
ing delirium which the physician has
to contend with in treating serious
maladies is often occasioned in this
way.
"In persons who habltually stoop in
their gait or work. either as result
of the requirements of their soccupa-
tlon or from the course of their physi-
cal development, there must necessari.
ly be some distress consequent in
Strengthening the spine. 1t may not
be sufficient to cause pain and yet be
such strain as to prevent perfect
ease. The result Is unconscious rest
lessness. which Is the producer Of In
somnia.
"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 ndhesions Of the lungs. They
will find II easier to get to sleep upon
the right side and that their somnolent
rest will do them more good IL they
observe this advice. Furthermore, the
habit Of lying on the back is the cre-
ator Of snoring, which much belabors
sleep md prevents the subject from
receiving the full benefit of Its recuper-
ntlng effects.
at Is desirable, therefore, In all cases
to lie on the side, and In the absence Of
special diseases rendering 1t more de-
sirable to lie on the weak side, which
leaves the strong lung free to expand,
the right side should-bo chosen. A
glance at any plate Of the visceral
anatomy will show that when the body
Is thus placed the food In the process
Of digestion Is greatly aided In It's
passage from the stomach into the in
testines. Here the principle of gravi-
tation directly applies, Then the fact
that the stomach doesn't compress the
upper portion Of the intestines Is still
another advantage to he gained from
lying on the right side when sleep
wooing ease to the entire human mech
anism is under serious consideration.
"In conclusion, l wish to refer to
some Injurious eccentricities. or fads.
In sleeping which have observed, A
wealthy woman once came to me for
treatment for bad dreams of the or
der commonly called nightmare. Up
on making inquiry l discovered that
she was in the habit Of lying at rest
with her arms thrown UP over her
head, a position greatly to be deprecat-
ed, although It will induce sleep In per-
sons who have weak lungs. The cir
culation Is thereby made stronger in
the extremites and the head and neck
and muscles of the chest are drawn
up and relaxed by the shoulders."-
Philadelphia rimes. a.