The Washington herald., 1915-04-01
The Miracle Of Sleep.


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Army surgeons tell US that one Of the
greatest sufferings experienced by many
Of the soldiers in the present world war
comes from lack Of sleep. Exposure in
the trenches during the long rains and
inability to get into comfortable posi-
tons are largely responsible for their in
ability to sleep. Whatever the cause
there is nothing else that SO quickly saps
the vitality of the soldier.
II Napoleon had brought to Waterloo
the physical stamina, the robust vitality,
and the almost. superhuman energy
which he possessed before his awful ex-
perience in Russia. he would probably
have defeated Wellington. But the
broken and defeated French commander
at Waterloo was not tho same man of
iron as the conQuering hero Of earlier
days.
He probably shortened his career by
overestimating his wonderful physical
endurance. He used to boast that he
did not take more than four hours sleep
in twenty-four. and insisted that 1t 10
enough for any man. But 1t is said that
in his last campaigns his resisting power
was SO weakened that he sometimes
went to sleep during battles.
People OF stalwart physique think
they can stand anything, and. like Ma
Of endurance. and break down even
sooner than men who are conscious of
weak bodies. The latter do not squan-
der their vitality SO recklessly because
they know perfectly well that they must
make every bit Of their physical strength
tell to the utmost. They conserve their
energy in every possible way.
In view Of the marvels that it accom-
plishes, why is it that SO many people
begrudge the time they spend in sleep?
Thousands Of men and women delude
themselves into thinking that the hours
they work when others are asleep are
SO many hours gained; but never knew
anyone to habitually steal time from
sleep in trying to accomplish more who
was not great loser in the end. We
cannot ignore the law Of our being with.
out paying the penalty. 1t is positively
wicked to rob ourselves Of necessary
sleep unless it is absolutely necessary.
Many persons do not even know how
to relax. How often We see men sitting
with half their weight on their seats les
pecially as the cars approach their des-
tination). all ready to jump and go.
They seem to be trying to relieve the
seat Of part OF their weight, instead Of
leaning back and relaxing mind and
muscle. They are always on the
strain and when they retire, they do not
half relax. Many Of their muscles re-
main taut and strained. Their brains
are not fully relaxed. They sleep with
half clenched fists. They do not rest
even when asleep. They do not know
how to discharge energy from every
muscle. They hang on to the bedpost
with both hands, or sleep with their
hands up over their heads instead Of
quietly relaxing at their sides.
III there il anv strain ,1nop onx ,,,nsc1o
anywhere in the body. any strain or
anxiety OF mind you will not get perfect
rest. Your sleep will not refresh you.
You will feel tired in the morning.
Wherever the muscles are taut, wher-
ever there Is a strain anywhere in body
or mind there is expenditure Of energy,
loss OF vitality, and life energy is thus
drawn on to the great injury Of the
entire mental and physical system.
On retiring for the night every muscle
should be relaxed just as . tired animal
relaxes when 1t lies down to rest or
sleep. A nervous man recently told the
writer that he had received untold bene-