SLEEP AND ITS REGULATION. 421 



and other joints in the harness of defense. Since the pestiferous 

 mosquito has been proved the chief carrier of mephitic paludal dis- 

 eases, insect nettings are deemed sufficient to ward off evil nocturnal 

 influences. Sleeping in a close exhausted atmosphere is so promptly 

 and painfully punished by discomforts, that it would seem there 

 could not be two minds on the matter. Yet many refined and educated 

 folk still prefer the shut windows. Curiously enough some woods- 

 men, farmers and others who live much in the open air incline to a 

 hot room for sleeping. To my sorrow, I have often been compelled 

 to experience this prejudice. 



Body clothing at night should be loose, not dense, permitting the 

 ready passage of air, never of wool next to the skin. Bed clothing should 

 not be too close of texture, blankets being preferable to dense ' com- 

 fortables ' and not ' tucked in ' too closely. Air should be allowed 

 to pass occasionally under the sides at least as one turns about more 

 or less freely. I have proved this in open camps in bitter tempera- 

 tures, thus using less clothing than those who slept in bags. Indian 

 guides often sleep Avith their heads covered and their feet bare to the 

 fire. Even on the long trail I prefer pajamas to close fitting day 

 underwear at night. Under these circumstances, too, occasionally 

 rising and warming by a fire gives better rest than to stay close in a 

 sleeping bag all night long. As to beds the firm mattress with springs 

 is vastly better than soft clinging surfaces. 



Some people sleep with a profundity, a completeness, from which 

 they can only be aroused with difficulty. They occasionally wake 

 unrefreshed with confusion, headaches, stiffness and soreness of limbs. 

 This is unfortunate and usually betokens some abnormality in health 

 which should be corrected. Such deep somnolence is not so restorative 

 as the lighter forms of slumber. Again limbs become cramped, hence 

 nerves and blood vessels suffer hurtful pressure, by long remaining in 

 one position; the integrity of the internal organs likewise is im- 

 perilled. Sleep is invited by darkness. Light, even though the eyes 

 be closed, penetrates the lids and stirs the consciousness through these 

 most delicate of sense organs. Hence it is wise to exclude light if one 

 must sleep after the sun has risen. A useful device is to cover the 

 eyes with black cloth or even a handkerchief folded, or use a screen, 

 rather than to exclude daylight from the entire room, which too often 

 means exclusion of air as well. Those whose heart and arteries lack 

 tone may give attention to this to secure or to maintain sleep. Day 

 drowsiness and night wakefulness indicate often a cardiac weakness 

 demanding attention. Conversely, high pulse is usually present in 

 those who sleep over heavily. 



A complete circulatory balance is needed for those who would sleep 

 most refreshingly. One of the best means to secure this is by exercise 



