The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-28
POSITIONS IN SLEEP.
HOW VICTIMS OF INSOMNIA MAY
woo SWEET SLUMRER.

The Way O;:c Slouid Tic In Bed In
Order to Obtain Natural ReDose.
Various Ailments and the Pastures
Best adapted to Them.
Positions that WOO sleep in victims
of Insomnia is an interesting study
made by a well known metropolitan
physician. Whitman V. White Of
Brooklyn. DR. White is specialist
on nervous diseases and in q 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 disorganiZed systems Of insonl-
mia patients in many cases. In his
own experience he 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 q dozen or
more years have learned that under
certain physical malconditions," said
the physician, 1.-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 repose,
while a comfortable one will WOO it.
But what may in most cases seem to
be a position of ease may in reality be
the reverse.
'For instance, a dyspeptic will rest
more easily lying on the right side for
the simple reason that in that position
the food naturally gravitatcs out Of the
stomach and into the intestines. while
if 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.
somnii.
Lying fiat n 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 eNhausting diseases. and ii
is hailed as 4 sign of rapid recovery
when 4 patient exhibits an inclination
to turn on either side. But at the same
time there are several disadvantages
in the supine posture which impair OF
embarra ss 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 gravl'
tate to the back of the head and to ac'
cordingly 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 habitually stoop IN
their gait or work. either as q result
of the requirements of their occupa-
ton or from the course Of their phySl-
cal DEVELOPMENT. there must necessarl-
lv be some distress consequent in
stra:chteninG the spine. II may not
be sufficient to cause pain and yet be
suc,. Il strain as to prevent perfect
ease. Tie result is unconscious rest
lcSsnesS. which is the producer OF in
sonl,i;l.
People who have contracted chests
cannot sleep we'll living upon tAeir
backs. This rule applies especially td
those who have suffered with pleurisy
and retain alheSicns Of thc lungs. They
will tiud II easier to get to sleep upon
the right side and that their somnoicni
rest will Go them mere good if they
observe this advice. Furthermore. the
habit of lying on the back is the ere.
ator of snoring. which much belabors
sleep and prevents the subject from
receiving the full benefit OF lis iecuper-
ating effects.
cit is desirable. therefore. in all cases
to lie on the side. and 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. y
glance at any plate CT the visceral
anatomy will 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.
testineS Here the principle of Sravi'
tation directly applies. Then the fact
that the stomach doesn't compress the
upper portion of the intcstines is still
another advantage to be gained from
living on the right side when sleep
wooins ease to the entire human mech,
anism is under serious consideration.
I'm conclusion. | wish to refer tc
some injurious eccentricitics, or fads,
in sleeping which have observed. y
wealthy woman once came to me FOL
treatment for bad dreams Of the or.
der commonly called nightmare. Up
on maxim. inquiry discovered that
she was in the habit Of lying 1T rest
with her arms thrown up over hef
a.