UNCHASTITY 337 



back while asleep. The most simple is that recom- 

 mended by Acton, and consists in tying a knot in the 

 middle of a towel, and then fastening the towel about 

 the body in such a way that the knot will come upon 

 the small of the back. The unpleasant sensations aris- 

 ing from pressure of the knot, if the sleeper turn upon 

 his back, will often serve as a complete preventive^ 

 Others fasten a piece of wood upon the back for a sim- 

 ilar purpose. Still others practice tying one hand to 

 the bedpost. None of these remedies can be wholly 

 depended upon, but they may be tried in connection 

 with other means of treatment. 



6. Soft beds and pillows must be carefully avoided. 

 Feather-beds should not be employed when possible to 

 find a harder bed; the floor, with a single folded blan- 

 ket beneath the sleeper, would be preferable. Soft 

 pillows heat the head, as soft beds produce heat in other 

 parts. A hair mattress, or a bed of corn husks, oat 

 straw, or excelsior— covered with two or three blan- 

 kets or a quilted cotton mattress — makes a very health- 

 ful and comfortable bed. 



7. Too many covers should be avoided with equal 

 care. The thinnest possible covering in summer, and 

 the lightest consistent with comfort in winter, should 

 be the rule. Sleeping too warm is a frequent exciting 

 cause of nocturnal losses. 



8. Thorough ventilation of the sleeping-room, both 

 while occupied and during the daytime, must not be 

 neglected. It should be located in a position to admit 

 the sunshine during the morning hours. It is a good 

 plan to keep in it a number of house plants, as they 

 will help to purify the air, besides adding to its cheer- 

 fulness. 



9. If wakeful at night, instead of lying in bed try- 



