The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-23

of water the shock awoke her. The next night this same plan was adopted, but
 the results were not so satisfactory. Late in the night the sleep-walker stealthily crept out of bed and moved about as
 door, and found 1t locked and the key
 gone She then retraced her steps and
 went to the bowl of water wherein lay the key. She then carefully poured out
 the water, replaced the bowl and took
 the key and started toward the door. but
 was awakened.
 Of course, the somnambulist should not be awakened suddenly nor when in position of danger; this is apt to bring on some lingering nervous ail- ment. In many cases death has fol- lowed from shock.
 A young girl had orept out of her sleeping room to the roof of the house. and in profound somnamulism climbed the sloping roof to the ridge, and then proceeded to walk from house to house It was a terrible moment when she was found. Someone, however, held a light so that it shone directly into her face; her eyes opened, the horror of her plight overwhelmed her, she collapsed and fell to the sidewalk below. She was dead when they picked her up. And yet. I know of another case where the shining of a light into the somnambulist's face had 0 very diff ferent effect.
 There was minister, now gone to his rest, who was an inveterate sleep walker in his youth. His brother was appointed his nocturnal guard with or ders to knock the sleeper down, if nec- essary. Sometimes, when the guard was little too rough with him the sleeper vyn was afraid of him. Years after he had become a clergyman he had a very ex- hausting day in large city church. and went to bed with his brafn charged with blood. That night he dreamed that the house was af1re and fled to the window of his room. which was in the third story, to leap out He climbed up to window-sill and was balancing him self for plunge downward, when a light from the street below suddenly flashed into his face. He awake at once and was stricken with horror. The fright was effectual. In the day he would think of his peril and shudder, and before going to sleep he would trimble with fear. But never again did he walk in his sleep.
 There are two physical causes that conduce to somnambulism, The first is pathologically sensitive nervous sys- tenn. In such cases properly prescribed nerve-tonics are most important Co., caine, morphine and such like mar cotics should never be used They ap- pear to strengthen the nerves. but in reality, they are accelerating the final breakdown and making somnambulism easy.
 Then, too. the condition of the digestive organs must be carefully looked after Nothing but the most easily digested ar ticles of diet should be eaten by one who Is prone to walk in his sleep.
 In addition hereto the mind of the sleep- walker must he impressed with the peril of somnambulism. Repeat the statement of his dar<pr ovtf and over again: Yet him have cause to think of it in the day and at night; let him cultivate the pro foundest abhorrence for it. and 1t will pass out of his life.
 If the offender be a child teach him not only to fear the peril of walking in his sleep. but let him und ,and that he is to 'gst . whipping" every time that he prowls around in his sleep. Let this