The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-26
ON SLEEPING AFTER DINNER

Sir John Sinclair, who was per- hapS more or less eminent phy- sician, maybe even Harley Street specialist in his time, had this to say on the subject in medical pen ny magazine called 'The Doctor" published weekly in London, in 1892:
 "In many southern climates it is a common practice to take nap sometimes in the middle of the day, or at other times immediately after dinner; for they dine very early.
 Both Sanctorius and Lister rec commended an hours sleep after din- ner to. those who have weak diges- tion: and an instance is mentioned, by an intelligent physician, of a near relation he had who slept after diner for the last fifty years of his life, and died at the age of eighty two"
 They did begin to grow old at thirty or so, a hundred years ago. Even fifty years ago few adults as old as forty had Intentionally ef1- cient teeth.
 Some persons, however, would benefit in health and nutrition if they could or would make it rule to rest recumbent, horizontal or nearly so. especially prone if that position is at all comfortable (prone means on the belly, supine means on the back), in quiet surroundings or at least away from the stimuli
 Nf xryoI Iyirlnr IANvPc If dn1o or nap at this time that is fine, but it isn't sleep that refreshes but jus, vegetation, relaxation, rest.
 Te that end it is good plan to do little belly breathing at the beginning of the siesta, for such
 natural breathing promotes complete
 'elaxation and improves digestion and circulation. Belly breathing tends to prevent stagnation of blood in the veins and in the splanchnic pool of great venous network in the abdomen; it tends to prevent con- gestion of the liver or what have you. For instructions for Belly Breathing exercise send stamped envelope bearing your address.
 Young adults who are under weight and nervous" as they un- fortunately imagine, are particularly in need of siesta, or if midday re- taxation is not possible. then after dinner repose if the main meal is taken in the evening. This is not likely to do any good if the rest is involuntary.
 Well rlourished or overweight adults of mature age should avoid after dinner dozing as general rule, for the habit in such persons rather favors development of the circula- tory stagnation or stasis which pre-. cipitates cerebral embolism and thrombosis, a form of paralysis of less sudden TO violent onset than the "stroke" of paralysis from cere- bral hemorrhage. For this and other reasons I believe stroll or other mild activity right after dinner is better for the health of most mature | adults than the usual snooze or dor nancy.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Multiple Neuritis of Slow Paralysis.
 Please state whether 1t is white rice or brown that causes beri-beri.
 (A6rs. T. L.)
 Answer-Neither. 1t is caused by l severe shortage in the in- lake of vitamln B, SO the introduc- tion of refined Chilled and polished) white rice as staple in the orient ln Ulace of the whole. ifnmfiied, iln- polIehed, brown or red rice which | the people formerly ate. Is largely l responsible for the prevalence Of berl-beri in some oriental countrIef | Whole unmllled. unpublished. browT Dr rcd rice (as 1t Is called ln ils nat !