The Washington herald., 1911-11-08
IF YOU SUFFER
FROM INSOMNIA
You Can Woo Sleep Through
Simple Methods.

There are sound hygienic methods by
which sleep may be induced. Incur
sions into the realms Of patent medi-
cines, opiates, and all sorts Of slum-
ber elixirs which are summed up as
dope" should be avoided. But the
moral Of this lesson has been pointed
over and over yet little has been said
about natural methods Of wooing sleep.
Under this head does not come the vari-
GUS mental contrlvances such as count
ing sheep" or reciting the multiplication
table.
Oxygen is as necessary to the body
cells during the hours OF sleep as at any
other time. Perhaps in the case Of chill
dren It is even more necessary. For
them sleep means the time Of anabolisr1,
growth, and repair. The old prejudice
against open windows still exists, in spite
Of the compaigns Of education in the
newspapers and in the schools. Dust in
the rooms, an imaginary draft, the fear
of colds, and, many other stupid rea-
sons are advanced in excuse Of this
pernicious prejudice.
The organs OF the body also should be
considered, and no excessive work should
be given to the heart or digestive organs
before retiring to rest. High pillows
at time when the heart should have
the lightest work. Pillows that are too
low may cause headaches, and even
sleeplessness, through an excess Of blood
being in the brain.
Heavy Late Suppers Unwise.
Heavy late suppers are unwise, but a
light meal, followed by such moderate
exercise as a short woIk, is generally
| conducive to sound sleep The light
meal causes a withdrawal of blood from
the body generally. The body is there
fore warmed, and this IS important
Cold extremitIes, particularly cold feet,
cause sensory stimulations, which pro-
duce sleeplessness, often for hours.
People who suffer in this way should
take means to keep their feet warm
artificially by using sleeping socks, or
slipper baths, or by the use of hot water
bottles, and by sleeping between blan-
| kets.
1t is, Of course, fatal to Sound sleep
to go to bed with anything on the
mind" In these sensational and pleas
ure-loving days We often retire to rest
after receiving a long series of vivid
sensations which often account for hours
of sleepless tossing. Sometimes this may
be relieved by gentle friction of the
head with a medium hard brush.
We cannot hope to always drive away
| the disturbing sensory impulses, for,
| built as man is, JOY suffering, grief,
responsibility, and worry Qast, but not
leasD must find their place in his life
at some time or other. Life without
these/would be at best a mere existence,
and SO we must pay the bill at such
| times. And even then fatigue must cause
| sleep ere long.
Under ordinary circumstances quiet is
essential to refreshing sleep. It is well
known that the brain can be trained to
sleep during the continuance of sounds
! constantly repeated. The confused din
of traffic, the rattle OF passing trains,
and many other Moses do not seem to
disturb the rest Of those accustomed to
them. But, ordinarily speaking, quiet
should precede and accompany sleep. In
| this connection IT may be wise not to be
too particular about noises when little
| children are asleep.