The Proper Time for Sleep
“If it be good,” said the late Dr. Richardson, “to make all possible use of sunlight, it is equally good to make as little use as possible of artificial light.” Artificial lights, so far, have been sources of waste, not only of the material out of which they are made, but of the air on which they burn. In the air of the closed room the present commonly used lamps, candles, and gaslights rob the air of a part of its vital constituent, and supply in return products which are really injurious to life. Gaslight is in this respect most hurtful; but the others are bad when they are long kept burning in one confined space. The fewer hours after dark that are spent in artificial light, the better; and this suggests of itself that, within reasonable limits, the sooner we go to rest after dark, the better.—Selected.