Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-08-21
CAUSES OF NIGHTMARE.
ESPECIALLY DISTINGUISHED FROM
DREAMS BY DEPRESSION.

with horses, although they OCCASION
ally have it; the word mare really
means, in this connection. a spectre,
explains the Indianapolis Journal. Ac-
cording to the Bavarian popular belief
the Nightmare is woman who ap-
pears in the morning asking to borrow
something. To keep her away at night
they promise her the three white gifts
if she will come for them the next
morning, and when she does come. as
she surely will, she is given handful
of flour, handful of salt and an egg.
In Morocco it is customary to place
dagger under the pillow at night to
ward off the nightmare, and in Greece
q black-haniled knife is supposed to
have the same effect. The ancient
Germans believed that nightmare was
due to a demon, who, during sleep,
seated himself upon the chest OF the
sleeper and oppressed his breathing.
The symptoms of nightmare are
variable, though they may be always
extremely disagreeable. 1t may be
realistic sensation of falling from a
high place, such as the summit OF
steep precipice; or one may suffer all
the horrors of flood, or fire, or a
struggle with enemies superior in
force and number. Frantic animals
may attack or spring upon the sleeper,
and with all these visions there is an
inexpressible anguish and pain, with
a sense of imminent danger, escape
or defense seeming impossible, while
the victim is unable to cry out for
assistance or in the always present
struggle at last utters a groan or two
which may awake him.
Nightmare is especially distinguish
able from dreams by the sensation OF
depression and suffocation. 1t is, in
fact, true temporary, miniature de-
lirium. Sometimes, long after awaken
ing, it leaves the subject prey to
nervous anxiety, violent palpitation
and unusual debility. In fact, it has
marked analogy with insanity, and
If it is constantly recurring it may be
Of serious portent, pointing to some
affection Of the brain or mind. Not
that nightmare causes nervous disease
or insanity, but that nervous disease
pre-eXisting causes, on the contrary,
this special disposition of the brain
to temporary delirium.
From this it can be understood why
nightmare is often hereditary, just as
abnormal nervous impressionability
may be inherited. The child. too, SEN
sitive to the slightest impression, a
living bundle of nerves, is more es-
pecially subject to night terrors, even
while awake, owing to the power of
the mind to project ideas into space
and with the eye to see them as ac-
Qualities imbued with life. Next in
susceptibility are women and some
men whose brains have remained in
the infantile state properly called
simple-minded. Anaemia, fever. dis
turbance of the circulation, caused by
diseases of the heart or the large
blood vessels, disturbed respiration,
due to asthma or full stomach. are
the most frequent predisposing causes,
and are as powerful as nervous dis
turbances; such as hysteria and hy-
pochondria, in causing nightmare.
Sometimes nightmare is due to pro-
longed wakefulness, a radical change
in diet, or faulty position Of the body,
such as lying upon the back or face.
Sometimes IL due to come mechani=
cal interference, such as an aTeurism
or even swollen tonsils. West has:re-
ported case in which, in spite OF all
hygienic treatment, nightmare con
tinued every night for long period,
due, as was discovered after careful
consideration, to prolonged uvula,
which, during sleep, in the prone po-
sition hindered free respiration. Cut
ting off the point of this mischievous
uvula caused the permanent discon-
tinuance of the visits of the night
mare.
In nervous persons emotional in
character nightmare may be caused
by gruesome tales or woful spectacles,
grief, Encouragement, hatred, anger,
etc. In fact, the most intense night
mare is due to exaltations of passion,
due to the loss of dearly loved rela-
tives or friends, sudden and extreme
reverse of fortune, disappointed ambi-
tion, the fear Of disease, or even a
shock of ones SELF love and esteem,
which, as has been aptly said, Stays
more victims than love.
The treatment of nightmare con-
sists in awakening the subject, and,
if there is perturbation of mind. CIV
ing some mildly sedative potion, such
as warm water sweetcncd with syrup
of lettuce. Following this, care Should
be taken to remove the supposed
cause, to prevent recurrence of the
nightmare. In the case of children
intense moral impressions. weird
stories and gruesome tales should be
avoided, especially before bedtime.
The child should be put to bed
early to avoid the exciting environ
ment of the social circle. of animated
conversation and convivial jollity. The
evening meal should be light one,
both as to quantity and quality of
food and drink, avoiding highly spiced
relishes and stimulating drinks. The
chamber should be spacious and we'll
ventilated, the bed not too soft and
without too much bed clothing. Per
feet muscular relaxation, avoidance of