Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-21
IF YOU CAN'T SLEEP.
Some One of These Suggestions May

When Washington Irving wrote 'eThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow" that gem of American literature, he did not quite overstep the realms of reason in putting his hero to sleep for so many years. The mountains are known to have an exceptional somnolent inf1u- ence, although. outside of fiction, men have never been able to emulate the annual sleep of our native bears. So Rip Van Wrinkles sleep of twenty years might be called poetic license.
 Insomnia that has become chronic and will not succumb to any pre- scribed treatment has very often been overcome by mountain air. The eff feet seems to be unconscious and ire sistible. Persons sitting in the ball room, striving to pass away some of the dreaded night hours, doze all un- awares.
 Insomnia never means an entire night without sReep. Such an in- stance is very rare and should immedi- ately be intrHsted to physician's care. Usually few hours of consecutive sleep is secured, either when first re- tiring or in the early morning. A dis turbed sleep, intermitted with an hour of wakefulness now and again ought not correctly to be called insomnia.
 The hours from Il o'clock at night until 4 in the morning is the time usually reserved by the good Morpheus to punish those whom he has aban- doned. As the early morning approach es the sufferer will probably go to sleep. If circumstances permit of that sleep to be continued past the custom ary hour of rising, by all means en- force the indulgence. Natural sleep is the very best antidote for the lbstless- ness resulting from insomnia, and should be taken advantage of, if pos sfble, whenever the propensity to sleep occurs.
 The causes that produce insomnia are many and various That which is most common is an excess of blood in the brain Exercise is the very best method of evening the circulation. IA walk in the open air just before re- tiring is excellent. The impurities are expelled from the lungs and a reserve of fresh air inhaled for the night
 Sometimes a glass of milk and crackers, or other food, eaten before undressing or during the night, will be effective in sending the blood to the stomach, so taking it from the brain It is well to drink the milk hea- ted Cream is frequently prescribed instead of milk
 When the evening has been spent in study or in clerical work nothing will relieve the brain fatigue more than a clever novel. While not intensely ab- so1tbing, the story must be sufficiently interesting to hold the readers atten- tion and to change the current of his thoughts.
 Matters requiring discussion should not be broached at bed time, for the same reason of keeping the brain in Quiescent state A cIcse bedroom is al- ways disadv amta geous to peaceful sleep. During mild weather the win dows should be opened wide, but in- variably from the top. If the bed is placed in line of draught, a folding screen can serve as aprotection.
 Sleeping medicines of all kinds are injurious, and must never be taken. unless by the advice of am attending physician, and never because advoca- ted by a druggist, however reliable.
 The druggist may have an. efficient knowledge of the use of drugs, but he has not physicfan's knowledge of his purchasers system. Some doc tors advocate a tepid bath just before getting inte bed. Others suggest that after an hour or two of restlessness cold sponge bath will produce sleep.
 Obstinate cases which seemed be- yond check have been known to sue cumb to what is called the hot pack. The hot pack is a simple treatment, but requires the attention of second person A bath towel or a piece of flannel is soaked in water, hot as the patient can endure The towel Is then wrung out and folded lengthwise.
 This elongated wad is placed direct ly on the patients spine and remains there for about ten minutes. The pa- tient must not be spoken to after the pack has been removed. When drying it is soothing to rub the spine with a downward motion, always beginning at the neck. Sleep will be induced at once, but when the patient does sleep it will be an undisturbed rest, lasting probably until morning. Philadelph North American.