422 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



at bedtime, enough to distribute the blood to the surface and muscles, 

 hence to relieve the tension in the vessels of the brain. High vascular 

 tension is often a cause of insomnia ; it may be continuous or only due 

 to psychic causes, worries, morbid tension, over-excited circulation or 

 toxins. Hence the common device of the hot foot bath, hot entire 

 bath, or even a cold bath inducing reaction, may suffice. To execute 

 some systematic movements with little or no clothing on is better; in 

 cold weather with extra clothing on, such as a sweater. Certain 

 movements, especially those of the neck and shoulders, are particularly 

 useful. A series of movements I devised in treating a chronic 

 neurosis put many patients promptly to sleep. Also certain manipula- 

 tions of the neck, especially a distributed pressure over the posterior 

 occipital nerves, have in certain cases of obstinate insomnia in my 

 hands been followed by complete cure. One man who claimed he had 

 not slept a full night for thirty years was thus put to sleep in my 

 office and after a course of treatment he remained free from this 

 distress. That admirable instrument, now unfortunately out of 

 fashion, the bicycle, cured scores of insomniacs by affording patients 

 the means of prompt lowering of blood pressure by a ride just before 

 bedtime. Few measures are more prompt, certain and permanent. 



Eating some light food is often of value, but the overfull stomach 

 is frequently a cause of shallow or distressed sleep. There are many 

 forms of digestive derangement, liver troubles, toxemias, etc., which 

 impair sleep in those who are under the impression they have powerful 

 digestions. Nothing wakes some people so certainly at evil hours 

 as an over-acid stomach, relievable by a simple alkali or charcoal. The 

 bowels are best evacuated before bedtime; if full they may cause much 

 loss of sleep. In short, as Emerson says of all health, of which sleep 

 is a major item, it is not to be bought, it must be earned; and wisdom, 

 frugality, self restraint, industry, perhaps all cardinal virtues, con- 

 tribute to this boon. 



