The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-01-31
POSITIONS IN SLEEP.
HOW VICTIMS q INSOMNIA MAY
WOO SWEET SLUM6ER.

The way One should Lie In Bed In
order TO Obtain Natural Repose.
Variou. Ailments and the Pastures
Best Adapted 60 Thenl.
Positioas that WOO sleep in victims
Of insomnia is an interesting study
made by 4 wen known metropolitan
physician. Whitman V. White Of
B-cozIyn. lar. White is 4 specialist
O. nervous diseases and in Il mild
but emphatic manner Rcores his pro-
fessionaI brethren fer tLeir free admin
istration Of narcotics. He denounees
tie practice as unnecessarily taxing
On The disorganlzed systems Of insom-
MA patients in many cases. In his
own experience be has found a 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 period Of a dczen or
more years ! have learned that under
certain physical malconditions." said
the physician. ~the subject may be
given relief 10y assuming positions al
rest that win from the ease afforded
the affected parts serve as natural
somnoIear agency. IL VIII be readily
understood that 4 constrained position
win tend 90 prevent natural repose,
while a comfortable one VIII WOO It.
But what may In most cases seem 10
be 4 position OF ease may in reality be
the reverse.
For instance. a dyspeptic viii rest
more easily lying on the right side for
the simple reason that in that position
the food naturally Grayitates ont 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.
Tsils is amply sufficient to produce ~
somnia-
Lying Hat On the hack. with the
limbs relaxed. would seem 10 secure
tie greatest amount Of rest for the
muscular system. whether IN good
health or Illness. Such is the position
advocated 10y physicians generally in
the most exhaustinE diseases. and it
IS hailed as a sign Of rapid recovery
when a patient exhibits an inclination
70 turn on either side. But at the same
time there are several disadvantage
in the supine posture which impair or
cnlbarrass 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 thu brain the blood seems TO crayi-
tate to the back Of the head and 10 ac-
cordingly produce troublesome dreams
! believe that much Of that weaken
ing delirirm which the physician has
TO contend with in treating serious
maladies is often occasioned in this
way.
in persons who habitually stoop il
their gait or work. either as n result
Of the requirements Of their occupa-
tion or from the course Of their physi-
cal development. there must necesSari-
IL be s~me 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
Iessness. 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 adhesions Of the lungs They
VIII fad il easier 10 get TO sleep upon
the right side and that their sonlnolent
rest win do them mere good If they
observe this advice. Furthermore the
habit Of lying on the back is the ere
;ltor Of snoring. which much belaboTs
sleep and prevents the subject fro
receiving the full benefit Of its recuper-
aIing effects.
1T is desirable. therefore. in all cases
20 lie or tie side. and in the absence OF
special diseases rendering it mere de-
sirable 10 lie on the week side. which
leaves the strong lung free 60 eX2anl.
TIE right side should be chosen. \
glance at any plate CT the visceraI
anatomy win show that when the body
is thus placed the food in the process
of digestion is greatly aided in its
passage from the stomach into the in
1estines. Here the principle of gravi-
tGtion directly applies. Then the fact
that the stomach doesn't compress the
upper portion OF the intestines is stin
another advantage 10 be gained from
lying on the right side when SLEEP
EOoi-g ease 10 the entire human mech
Huism is under serious consideration.
'In conclusion. ] wish 10 refer to
some Injurious eccentricities. or f1ds
il sleeping which | have observed. 4
wealthy woman once came 10 me for
treatment for bad dreams OF the or
der commonly called nightmare. Up
on making inquiry ! discovered that
she was in the habit Of lying at rest
with her arms thrown up over her
heae. a position greatly TO be deprecat-
ed. although il will induce sleep il per
soas who have weak lungs. The cir
is thereby made stronger in
tie exUrenities and the head and neck
ard muscles Of the chest are drawn
Up and relaxed by the shoulders
Philadelphia Times.