GOOD NIGHTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 383, 2 August 1911, Page 6

GOOD NIGHTS.

THE NUMBER OF HOURS RE-

QUIRED FOR REST,

Many people—especially those who do exciting or exhausting work during the day—find it difficult to sleep at night. They get painful spells of insomnia, pass restless nights, and are quite unfit to face the duties of the day. This condition is one which can very often be cured without the aid of drugs ; a few simple precautions will go far to set matters right, and to secure for the sufferer good long hours of unbroken rest.

Apples are a valuable cure for sleeplessness. An apple, eaten last thing at night, will do the work of a sleeping draught. Those who do not know the valuable medical properties of apples may fear that dyspepsia will follow such treatment ; but no harm can come, even to a delicate system, by eating a ripe apple before going to bed. The sipple is an excellent brain and n?rve food. because it contains a large amount of phosphoric acid in an easily digested form, and tbe very fact of eating something has a soothing effect upon the tired nerves. The bedroom window should always be left open, wiuter and summer, unless there is a thick fog, or cold wind is blowing direct on that side of the house. The air in a shut-up bedroom grows exhausted in a very few hours, and the sleeper wakes with a throbbing headache and n . dry mouth as the result of spending a length of time in a poisoned atmosphere. The bed clothes should Ik- only jus! heavy enough to give sufiicicnt warmth—never weighty enough !o press upon and tire the body. If. is wise, if possible, to avoid the use of eiderdowns, except in the depths of winter, as the heat of an eiderdown is too great for health. The number of pillows used must, depend upon individual ideas of comfort. Many persons cannot sleep at all unless they lie high, though if is undoubtedly best for the figure and carriage to lie as; fiat as possible. One small pillow and a. firm bolstet are, under general circumstances, all that should be used.

The correct position for sleep is flat upon the back with the body c>tended at full length. CA'aiidren must be taught not to curl themselves up when they sleep, for the habit of lying in a cramped position may liiiulei the growth. That it is possible te teach this lesson is proved by t hepractice in force in convent schoob or l the Continent, The rub 1 is mad< —less for hygenic than religious reasons —that the children shall she; flat with the hands folded on tin breast, and it is faithfully observed, with great benefit to the health am carriage of the pupils. The habit of sleeping with out hand under t\w cheek is a had one as it induces lines and wrinkles 01 the skin, by keeping one side of the face far too hot, and subjecting it tc continued pressure. Those who know that their profile is less good at otu side than the other will prohahly realise, if they thinlc about it, thai they habitually sleep in this position The number of hours required foi rest varies according to different constitutions and different circumstance::>f life. Young children should sleep nine or ten hours a night, growing boys and girls from eight to tci hours, and persons under the aire ol thirty not less (ban seven hours Elderly people, as ; . rule, require los>slcep than vi.ung ones, and those oeeupat ions are of a mechanical order less thaii i those who d. strenuous mental or physical work.

The most valuable ami refreshing sleep is obtained befon midnight. An hour of sleep before (hat time b worth two afterward:-'. Tnin people shoidd sleep as much :is possible. Siiorl people, on the other hand, should shorUn (heir tinu of rest if they wish In ::row slim, for weight is put o;i \ ery rapidly luring tiir- hours. n f iho night.— 'Chronicle."