Evening star., 1915-01-24


red-blooded brigands who can
WOO great Natures second
course and chief nourisher in
Lies Feast at WILL it is no joke to the wide
awake mathematician, counting faithfully,
and heartily cussing those ghostly sheep that
skip so blithely over the stile.
NOV here is method that doesn't permit
~ so much latitude for galloping thoughts:
Itis form of suggestion that adults can prac-
tise upon themselves. The idea is to estab-
lish monotony by repeating progression of
numbers, aiding mental concentration by
opening and shutting the eyelids at each
count. The physical act of opening and
closing the lids requires just sufficient effort
to preclude entertaining extraneous ideas,
which mere counting would not accomplish.
Thus, lying quietly relaxed, count zone,
at the same time opening and closing the
eyelids. Wait few moments, then count
"Two,' repeating as before. Presently the
lids will become heavier, and refuse to open
at the count The mind, having been thor
oughly occupied in counting and "willng"
impulses, hasn't harbored pack of racing
thoughts. So before very long Sleep cud-
dies into its rightful place. This method
will well repay the effort.
1t might also be wise-not that there is
but merely for their suggestive effect-to
placate all the old superstitions that linger
in your mind. Have the bed, for instance,
run north and south, and sleep always with
the head to the north, or the south, as con-
viction inclines. Or, if it appears more
logical to sleep the other way, have the bed
placed east and west, and sleep invariably
with the head to the east, or the feet to the
east, whichever gives the best results.
Then be very careful, if you believe in it,
not to have the rays of the full moon strike
upon you while you are trying to WOO Nor
pheus. Of course, if you are not super
stitious, it will be unnecessary to observe
any of these old wives notions
Sometimes gentle exercise in bed-right
where the fatigue induced will do the most
goods very effective. Lie prone, and
stretch the body to its utmost by attempting
to reach the head and foot boards at the
same time. Then raise your head a few
inches, and hold it in this position while
breathing slowly and deeply. You will soon
be very glad to drop it back upon the pillow.
Now repeat this operation with the right
foot-omitting the attempt to breathe
through it. When that droops and Ian
guishes from fatigue, do the same with the
left. Then begin with the head, and do it
all over again.
III d lew minutes you VIII nave lleu ana
relaxed most of the muscles of the body, and
in a surprising number of instances. if the
procedure be faithfully followed out,
healthy, natural sleep will follow.
p EADING oneself to sleep is form of
~ autohypnosis that is common and COM
mendable. The book or magazine should be
just sufficiently interesting to divert the
mind, without arouslng a train of thought
intense enough to be in itself a cause of
wakefulness.
If one could afford to engage a violin
soloist to play soft improvisations upon
muted strings, the results should be per-
fectlv ideal. However, in well equipped
sanatoriums it is now recognized that
music is valuable in the treatment of in
somnia, and its use is rapidly extending
Osteopathy, massage, or even simple rub
bing along the spine, friction being applied