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| Far, far in the forest there were two little huts, and in each of them lived a man who was a famous hunter, his wife, and three or four children. Now the children were forbidden to play more than a short distance from the door, as it was know... Read more of Ball-carrier And The Bad One at Children Stories.ca | Informational Privacy |
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INSOMNIACategory: Diseases of The Nervous System Insomnia is not a disease, but a symptom of disease. It may, however, become so active, prominent, and important a symptom as to constitute a condition which merits individual management and treatment. Definition. Insomnia is the term employed to denote actual or absolute sleeplessness, and also lack of fully restful sleep, which might be termed relative sleeplessness. Causes. Organic causes. Disease of the brain and spinal cord. Toxic causes due to poison circulating in the blood which by irritation of the brain and cord (axis) and especially of the brain, cause such diseases as nephritis (chronic), jaundice, typhoid fever and consumption. Primary causes. Depend upon insanity. Nervous or simplest causes. These are present in nervous persons and comprise the two conditions of congestion and anemia of the brain. The brain congestion is typified by the nerve-tire of the student; over-study and anxiety bring too much blood to the brain and necessarily too much activity and then insomnia. Anemia of the brain acts in the opposite manner. The brain cells are not properly nourished and hence irritated, and sleeplessness follows. SLEEPLESSNESS. Mothers' Remedies. 1. Hop Pillow Stops. "People affected in this way will be very much benefited by the use of a pillow composed of hops, or cup of warm hop tea on retiring. The hops have a very soothing effect upon the nerves." 2. Sleeplessness, Easy and Simple Remedy for. "On going to bed, take some sound, as a clock-tick or the breathing of some one within hearing, and breathe long breaths, keeping time to the sound. In a very short time you will fall asleep, without any of the painful anxieties attending insomnia." 3. Sleeplessness, Ginger at Bedtime for. "Ginger tea taken at bedtime soothes one to sleep," This is a very good remedy when the stomach is at fault. It stimulates this organ and produces a greater circulation, thereby drawing the blood from the head. This will make the patient feel easier and sleep will soon follow. 4. Sleeplessness, Milk Will Stop. "Sip a glass of hot milk just before retiring. This is very soothing to the nerves, and a good stimulant for the stomach," PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT. Remove the cause and be careful in using drugs. In the organic kind the treatment is not very successful. In the toxic kind drugs must be given to correct other diseases and also tonics given. For brain congestion and anemia kind other means must be used first, and the drugs as the last resort. Treatment of the congestive insomnia. 1. Hot or warm general body-baths are very advantageous to stimulate the circulation and restore its balance alike in congestion and anemic cases. After such baths the patient must go to bed at once and not get chilled in cold rooms or by drafts. They must be properly covered and kept warm. 2. Cold spongings, cold shower baths, or cold plunge baths are given when the hot or warm bath does not produce the correct result. If this does not depress it is better than the warm bath. The person should be rubbed with warm rough towels until the skin is aglow. If he feels rested and quieted, the reaction is proper; if depressed, the treatment is too vigorous and not suitable. 3. The patient should stand ankle deep in a tub of hot water and a "drip sheet," from water at 75 to 80 degrees temperature, thrown over him. Then rub the patient's back and abdomen hard and a general brisk rub-down immediately after leaving the tub. This treatment should quiet, not excite or depress. 4. The cold abdominal pack is valuable. Flannel is wrung out in water, 75 to 80 degrees temperature and laid in several thicknesses upon the abdomen; place a dry towel over this, cover all with oiled silk, overlapping widely in order to protect the bed. Tie or bandage all this firmly. The effect of this work is first that of a cold then of a warm poultice. 5. Exercise. This should be in the open air when possible. A fast walk, horseback ride or ride on bicycle for a half hour before bedtime, followed by a rub-down will frequently give a good sleep. Dumb-bell, Indian club exercise, chest weight, are good in some cases. Diet. A light easily digested supper is often better than a heavy meal. Sometimes a little eaten before bed-time will give sleep. A piece of toast, for instance. It draws the blood from the brain and more to the stomach. Medicines. If you must use them. The bromides are the best. Sodium and strontium bromide are first choice. Twenty to thirty grains in water one-half hour before retiring. Chloral hydrate should not be used often. Sulphonal, trional, etc., should always be given with a little food-never alone. Sometimes bread pills do just as well. Next: ANEMIC CONGESTION. Diet Previous: GENERAL PARESIS. (Paretic dementia)
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