MEDICAL HINTS. 
191 
Sleeplessness. 
This is common in those broken down by malaria, dysentery or debili¬ 
tating diseases; it is also induced by the irritation caused by mosquitoes 
and other pests, such as the itch parasite. It is at times due to errors of 
diet, prickly heat, mental worry and exhaustion, abuse of tea and coffee, 
coldness of the feet and indigestion, and as most acute diseases are worse 
at night, sleeplessness is very common amongst sick people. 
Treatment .—As far as possible remove the cause; kneading the feet 
and legs, or the application of a hot-water bottle to the feet, will often 
be of service. A cup of hot milk or soup should be taken at bed-time, 
and again on waking in the night. The bowels must be regulated and 
alcohol taken very sparingly. 
The taking of sedative drugs should be avoided as much as possible. 
The least harmful of these is bromide of potassium in twenty or thirty 
grain doses, or trional in ten to twenty grain doses. A warm bath at 
night often acts more satisfactorily than any other remedy. Only very 
rarely should chloral, chlorodyne, or opium be resorted to. 
Eegular habits and plenty of work are potent factors in the production 
of that healthy condition which predisposes to natural refreshing sleep. 
The unfortunate man who has no hard work to do, who is without 
even a hobby to occupy him, and has no interest in life but the torpid 
condition of his liver, is a constant sufferer from insomnia. He should 
be purged and put on a light plain diet. Alcohol must be forbidden 
and plenty of exercise must be taken. A tumblerful of hot water 
is to be taken the first thing in the morning and the last thing 
at night. 
Sea-Sickness. 
Take a saline aperient on the day before embarking, and a light plain 
meal at least three hours before going on board. A cup of good tea or 
black coffee soon after starting is often of use. 
Those liable to sea-sickness should go to bed directly they get on 
board: the head should be kept low and the room darkened. A mustard 
leaf applied to the pit of the stomach is of value in diminishing the 
tendency to vomit. Ail abdominal belt is useful from the gentle support 
it gives. A hot-water bottle may be applied to the feet. 
