Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-11-02
Home Health
Club
D. DAVID q. REEDER, RI. D.. MA
La Porte, Ind.
WAKEEULNESS.

~ WAhGG OAN EDS. -..as
When persons who do not otherwise
appear to be ill suffer from continued
wakefulness, this is pretty sure sign
of mental exhaustion, sometimes
brought about by worry over trifles.
When any part of the body is especially
exerted the blood flows in increased
quantity back to that part So. when
there is any stress laid on the brain, the
head becomes surcharged with blood,
as is shown by the flushing of the face.
II the condition is long continued the
blood vessels lose the power of contract
ing. Then the blood remains in an ex-
cited state, even when the mind has no
longer any desire to work, and it can.
not take its proper rest in sleep. In
order to enjoy refreshing sleep 1t is nee.
essary that the blood be not ,concen-
trated in the head, but be diffused equal
~ through all parts of the body. This
Is the reason why the warm (not hot)
bath just before going to bed is so con-
ducive to a good nights repose. 1t is
however, the best way not to allow tho
mind to get excited near the hour of
rest, but to let it run down gradually.
like clock, in the evening. There have
been some wonderful cases Of sleepless-
ness caused by undue mental exertion.
Boerhaave, the Dutch philosopher, tells
us that at one time he was so absorbed
in a particular study that he did not
close his eyes in sleep for six weeks
This semes incredible. A French gen.
eral asserted that for a whole. year,
while engaged in active warfare, he
slept but one hour in "a. These and
similar cases are probably exaggerated.
We all know how often people are un-
willing to admit that they have been
asleep when they have really had a
sound nap.
The persons mentioned could pos
sihly have survived such prolonged
Wakefulness without great injury. have
personally worked five days and nights
without stopping to sleep or rest. An
attendant of the late Emperor Louis
Napoleon, whose nervous system had
become deranged, died simply from in
ability to sleep.
l know professor of astrology
whom ! should judge to be about g.
years old, and has a most excellent
reputation. Without any possible ad-
vantage to be gained through a mis-
statement, he assured me that he had
not slept at all for over 16 years. He
claims to work % hours during the a.
aside from the time of meals, baths
exercise, dressing, etc., and rests one
hour, lying fiat upon his back while
practlcing scientific deep breathing &C.
cording to method peculiarly his
own. I cite these cases merely to
show that the need of so many hours
of sleep as some think they ought
TO have, is not absolute. Some people
require a great deal of sleep, and some
very little. In many cases Of wake
fulness. the trouble may he entirely
overcome by using no hearty foods for
the evening meal, which should not be
eaten later than six O'Clock. Just be-
fore retiring at ten o'clock take q large
cupful of very hot milk. not boiled, but
simply heated to the boiling point.
Add just a little, say two tablespoon
fuls, of boiling water, and then sip
all of it slowly with a teaspoon. Not
only will this cure many cases OF
wakefulness, but the general health
will be greatly benefited and the
nerves soothed and strengthened. The
blood which was in the head is drawn
to the stomach, and the circulation is
then benefited. Milk taken in this way
will not cause constipation.