The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-31
Sleep.

Sleep.
Sleep is natures great rejuvenator,
and the health-seeker should avail
himself of it to the full. Our sleep
should not only be sufficient in dura
ton but also in intensity, and should
be regular.
Exercise taken in the afternoon will
often promote sleep at night in those
who find sleep difficult. Slow, deep,
rhythmic breathing is useful when
wakeful, partly as an inducer of
sleep.
Sleep may also be induced by mo-
notonous sound, or lack of sound, or
the monotonous holding of the atten-
ton. Keeping awake is due to con-
tinued change and interruption or ar
rest of the attention.
The number of hours of sleep gen.
orally needed varies with circum-
stances. The average is seven to nine.
In general, one should sleep when
sleepy and not try to sleep more.
Growing children require more sleep
than grown-ups. Parents often fool
ishly sacrifice their children's sleep
by compelling them to rise early for
farm chores" or in order to sell
papers, or for other useful pur-
poses.
ach empty. 1t is true that food puts
one to sleep at first, by diverting
blood from the head; but it disturbs
sleep later. Water. unless 1t induces
bladder action during the night, or
even fruit, may be taken without in
jury before retiring. If one goes to
bed with an empty stomach, he can
often get along well with six or seven
hours sleep. but if he goes to bed
soon after a hearty meal, he usually
needs from eight to ten hours sleep
Sleeping outdoors is more restful
than sleeping indoors.
A modern hard" bed is far prefer
able to the old-fashioned soft land
hoO feather bed.
The character of sleep depends
largely on the mental attitude on 60
ing to bed. One should get into the
habit of absolutely dropping work and
cares at bedtime. If then one sug-
gests to himself the pleasantest
thought which memory or imagination
can conjure up, his sleep is likely to
be far more peaceful and restful than
if he takes his worries to bed, to keep
him awake unless sleep comes in spite
of them. and to continue to plague him
in his dreams. If one is worried. it is
a good plan to read something divert
ing. but not exciting, just before re-
firing.
The old adage, Early to bed. and
early to rise, makes one healthy.
wealthy and wise" has a more or less
scientific physical and physiological
basis Habitual loss of sleep is sure
to sooner or later undermine the
health.
Look well to your sleep!
Questions and Answers.
Question. L would like to join the
Pure Food Law. Please explain how
1 can become a member. ]. D.
Answer. 1t is not exactly clear in
my mind just exactly what you want
to do. The only way 1 know of for
you to join the Pure Food Law is to
observe its provisions with scrupulous
care, for like Little Orphan Annie.
the Food Law is likely to git you if
you don't watch OUT
Question. The other day I saw a
mother on the train with a child,
suffering from whooping cough. The
child had the frequent paroXysms of
: coughing. which is characteristic of
whooping cough, so that there was
no mistaking the fact that the child
was suffering from this disease.
had a good mind to tell her she was
violating the law in riding on a train
and thus exposing the public, but I
restrained myself. What should 1 have
done in the matter?
A Local Health Officer.
Answer. 1t would have been per-
fectly proper for you as q health Of
ficer to have spoken to this woman
and called her attention to her disre-
gard of law and on wantonly exposing
other people to a dangerous COM
municable disease; to have secured
| her name and address and reported it
to this department. There seems to