SLEEPLESSNESS

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 312, 31 October 1888, Page 3

SLEEPLESSNESS

Till. London ' Spectator' continues it 1 ? publication of letters on the subject of ' Sleep'essness.' A correspondent signing himself 1A Hard-working Journalist' writes as follows • 'In my own case occasional difficulty in going to sleep arises from one of two distinct; causes. The first is an over-excited brain, and in that case I in\ ariably find that my eye? aie in constant movement, although the lids are closed. The remedy is lesolutely to fix the eyes, the gaze directed downward — say to tne fcot of the bed — while the lids are kept closed. Concentrated attention is needed in thiseflort, and thab in itself is good for promoting sleep. ' The second cause of sleeplessness with me is the form of indigestion known as flatulence, which may be. relieved in various ways. My own plan of getting telief i& to get up, dress partially and go into my study for a pipe and a little light reading, or a walk up and down the room. A bad attack may require a little whisky or some other medicine (such as chloric ether, twenty drops in water) ; but on returning to bed I invaiiably go to sleep in a few minutes. Piobably a dose of whisky is more effectual with me than with a person who is not, as 1 am. habitually an ab^tainei ; but a pipe alone is usually s-ufh'eient.' Another correspondent writes as follows : ' Your sleepless correspondents are looking very far afield for their i-emedy, which lies under their own hand, and is even now singing on their own kitchen hob. For thirty-five years I had been a most wretched sleeper, or, rather, a most wretched lierawake ; and tor the last ten years, having had great pain to bear as well, if 1 got twenty immites' sleep in the twenty four hours I thought myself happy. Eighteen months ago I began to take the hot water, which is the inseparable and valuable adjunct of the Salisbury treatment. I took a pint comfortably hot, one good hour be fore each of my three meals and one the last thing at night— naturally, unmixed with anything else. The veiy first night I slept for three hourß on end, turned round and slept again till morning. I have faithfully and regularly continued the hot wator, and have never had one ' bad night' since. Pain gradually lessened and went ; the shattered nerves became calm and strong, and instead of each night being one long misery spent in wearying for the morning, they are all too short for the sweet refreshing sleep I now enjoy. I cannot occupy your too valuable space telling the philosophy of the system ; but if any care to know, and write to me, I will be more than happy to help them to the same unspeakable blessing. I have recommended this pait of the Salisbury treatment to very many people engaged in various and trying occupations, of whom some could only take the hot water morning and night ; and the report in every case is the same — the advent ot the 'sweet restorer, balmy sleep."