The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-11-16

FOR TIE SUNDAY
Position is everything when sleeping.
Has it occurred to you to consider how
you sleep. what posture you instinctiveiy
assume. and in which one you get the
greatest rest and benefit?
That you sleep well and soundly seems
sufficient.
However, there are certain hygienic rules
to follow which not only produce the great
est comfort when the body is in a reclining
position. but will induce sweet dreams.
which-in the language of the wise-may be
interpreted as meaning no dreams at all.
That there is much in this matter OF
sleeping postures is vouched for by Doctor
George +. Shrady.
Strange to say" replied Doctor Shrady.
when asked about sleep and its effects on
our physical and mental condition., while
to many this may seem a trite SUBJECT. II
has occupied the attention of most acute
scientific observers. who have gone to all
sorts of pains in order to ascertain the
tensitv and duration of sleep under various
conditions, as well as the benefits derived
from assuming different postures in both
health and sickness.
COMFORT INDUCES SLEEP.
One of the main considerations with q
healthy person who wishes to induce s.eep
is to get into an attitude which is easy and
comfortable.
Science tells us that children under IA
lie on the left side and back. After that
age the majority, both male and female,
sleep on the right side. while a few lie fiat
on the back.
You will notice, if you chance to see a
child asleep. that almost invariably you
will find that it has thrown one arm above
its lead and lies partly on one side and
stomach. Probably one leg will be bent at
the knee, while the other will be extended.
1t Is not unusual to find children sleeping
with both arms thrown over the head and
the lower limbs apart and extended.
colder persons, however, are more likely
to lie in a curled up position on the right
side. with one hand under the pillow for
easy adjustment of the head.
THAT there is a reason for this is &C
knowledged in science. and very likely it is
due, in a measure, to the fact that older
people don't like to listen to the sounds of
the heart, being thus reminded. perhaps.
that they are mortal. and that each beating
pulse leaves but the number less"
How do soldiers lie?" was asked. surely
they ought to take a posture that is the
best IN every respect
'It has been noticed in camp life" an
swered Doctor Shrady, that soldiers almost
invariably sleep on the right side. with the
knees drawn up and arms thrust out. FIRE.
quently the soldier lies fiat on his stomach,
and rests face downward on his folded
hands. In this position the earth seems
sotSC w ihIh Imam II Ac lhS III HIS
back. There are no bones in the stomach
against which his weight would press.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION.
Another reason is that in this position
the light is kept from the eyes, whereas II
no lay on his back the glare of the light
would retard sleep. Still another explana-
ton for this instructive posture Is offered by
q man who has investigated the subject. He
says that animals frequently sleep with
nose buried in their paws, which character
istic would indicate that less air is con-
ducive to good repose. This may account
for the peculiar way some persons have OF
sleeping with face buried in the pillow"
dc you think. Doctor Shrady, that good
sleep depends entirely upon position? Is
there any particular advantage In lying en-
the right side or the back so long as q per-
son isn't troubled with insomnia? 2"
Certainly, a great deal depends on the
position. although it is said that the saw
age slept in any way. even sometimes
standing up or lying in any posture on a
rock. Civilized men, however, require good
beds, fresh ar and proper temperature.
The average temperature of the sleeping
room at best is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sleep in this temperature has been tested
by different scientific observers and 1t has
been noticed that raising the temperature
very soon results in the waking of the
sleeper
What about restless sleepers? Are there
any rules for them to follow which will
induce repose?"
'xeply to this question. restless sleepers-