336 PLAIlSr FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



Sleeping.— It is from emissions wliicli happen dur- 

 ing sleep that the great majority of sufferers complain; 

 hence there is no little importance attaching to this 

 subject. The following suggestions present in a very 

 brief manner some of the more practical ideas con- 

 nected with this part of the subject: 



1. From seven to nine hours' sleep are required by 

 all persons. The rule should be, Eetire early, and sleep 

 until rested. Early rising is not beneficial unless it 

 has been preceded by abundant sleep. 



2. Arise immediately upon waking in the morning, 

 if it is after four o'clock. A second nap is generally 

 unref reshing, and is dangerous, for emissions most fre- 

 quently occur at this time. 



3. If insufficient sleep is taken at night, sleep a few 

 minutes just before dinner. Half an hour 's rest at this 

 time is remarkably refreshing; and even fifteen min- 

 utes spent in sleep will be found very reviving. Do 

 not sleep after dinner, as a pollution will be very likely 

 to occur, and, as a rule, after-dinner naps are unre- 

 freshing and productive of indigestion. 



4. Never go to bed with the bowels loaded. The 

 bladder should be emptied just before retiring. It is 

 also a good plan to form the habit of rising once or 

 twice during the night to urinate. 



5. The position in sleeping is of some importance. 

 Sleeping upon the back or upon the abdomen favors 

 the occurrence of emissions; hence it is preferable to 

 sleep on the side. If supper has been taken, the right 

 side is preferable, as that position will favor the pas- 

 sage of food from the stomach into the intestines in 

 undergoing digestion. 



Various devices are employed, sometimes with ad- 

 vantage, to prevent the patient from turning upon his 



