The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-19
DO WE SLEEP TOO MUCH?

Every now and then some man who
has won fame in some worthy and
noble way and thus won the confidence
of the world tries TO throw away his
reputation for horse sense by some
absurdly grotesque statement that is
at variance with the worlds exper-
fence. That was what the eminent Dr.
Osler did when he declared, in semi
humorous way as it was afterwards
said that a man over forty was no
good for initiative and that he ought TO
be chloroformed at sixty. OF the
same sort was the recent statement or
Mr.. Edison, whose inventions and dis
coveries have done more TO bless the
world than those of any living man,
that we sleep too much. He said that
three hours of sound, dreamless sleep
is enough for any man.
Nobody lost confidence in Dr. Osler
as great physician because he was
talking what every man knows Is Tar
from correct in a public address. No
body will stop using the telephone or
because he talks what everybody
knows is nonsense when he says that
three hours of good sleep is enough for
anyone. 1t may do for genius, put
an average man would go crazy II he
did not have more sleep than that.
According to a we'll known authority,
the following is the average amount
of sleep required:
Under ten years of age, eleven hours
Under thirteen years of age, ten and
one-half hours.
Under fifteen years Of age, ten hours
Under seventeen years of age, nine
and one-half hours.
Under nineteen years of age, nine
hours
While here and there some person
of splendid constitution can do great
work on little sleep. the majority of
careful observers and general practi-
TONERS will agree that people get too
little instead of too much sleep. The
world is living so fast that it be-
grudges the time. necessary for sleep,
which is Natures greatest restora
tive The result is seen in the nervous
ness and the breakdown in mind and
body, the increase in sanitariums for
rest treatment" where the first thing
done is 10 increase the time for sleep.
Lack of sleep is sure tn take away
mental equipoise and ability to do
ones best work, and often sends strong
men to hospitals for the insane.
A physician. combating the view of
Mr.. Edison, in an article in the Wash
ington Post, closes with these sensible
observations, after showing that Mr..
Edison is wholly wrong:
After the age of nineteen the
amount must depend upon the work
and requirements of the individual. No
hard-and-fast rule can be laid down
A few can do with four or five hours,
but they are the exceptions. The late
Sir James Paget the well-known sur
geon during the busiest part of his
career, took only lsix, the celebrated
surgeon John Hunter only five out Of
the twenty four. There a4'e cases on
record of well-known men having only
two in the same period. but for the
majority of people seven and one-half
to eight hours are necessary. AS
rule, women require an hour more
sleep than men; on the other hand,
thew stand the interruption of sleep
better.
The quality of sleep is of import
ance When profound and continuous,
less is required than when ii is bro
ken and superficial. No hard-and- fast
rule can be made. The best guide is to
sleep until one feels refreshed. No
person who passes eight hours out of
the twentyfour in sleep can be said
TO waste his time. for is it not the
Balm of hurt minds great natures
second course.
Chief nourisher in life's feast?"
Secretary Wilson is now mighty