NIGHTMARE AND HOW TO PREVENT IT.
SOMETIMES nightmare is due to prolonged wakefulness, a radical change in diet, or faulty position of the body, such as lying upon the back or face. Sometimes it is due to some mechanical interference, such as an aneurism or even swollen tonsils. West has reported a case in which, in spite of all hygienic treatment, nightmare continued every night for a long period, due, it was discovered after careful consideration, to a prolonged uvula, which, during sleep in the prone position, hindered free respiration. Cutting off the point of this mischievous uvula caused the permanent discontinuance of the visits of the nightmare. In nervous persons, emotional in character, nightmare may be caused by gruesome tales or woeful spectacles, grief, discouragement, hatred, anger, etc. In fact, the most intense nightmare is due to exhalations of passion, due to the loss of dearly loved relatives or friends, sudden and extreme reverse of fortune, disappointed ambition, the fear of disease, or even a shock to one's self-love and esteem, which, as has been aptly said, slays more victims than love. The treatment of nightmare consists in awakening the subject, and, if there is perturbation of mind, giving some mildly sedative potion, such as warm water sweetened with syrup of lettuce. Following this, care should be taken to remove the supposed cause, to prevent recurrence of the nightmare. In the case of children intense moral impressions, weird stories, and gruesome tales should be avoided, at all times. The child should be put to bed early to avoid the exciting environment of the social circle, of animated conversation and convivial jollity. The evening meal should be a light one, both as to quantity and quality of food and drink, avoiding highly spiced relishes and stimulating drinks. The chamber should be spacious and well-ventilated, the bed not too soft and without too much bedclothing. Perfect muscular relaxation, avoidance of false positions, and perfect freedom; all compression interfering with respiration or circulation must be avoided. The feet ought to be warm and lower than the head. The body should be extended and not cuddled up into a ball. When the bed is in an alcove or surrounded by heavy curtains, nightmare is sure to lurk within, for they prevent the free circulation of air, and the brain is stupefied, as it were, by laughing gas produced by the sleeper, the air vitiated by him being breathed over and over again. The bed ought to be slightly inclined from head to foot, but the proper elevation of the head varies according to temperament. Anemic people need to have the head quite low, but full-blooded people rest easier if the head is higher.—Selected.