Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Science
Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)
Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Diet; Hygiene
At all times the bedroom should be well ventilated. Some people are in
the habit of sleeping in unventilated bedrooms, but upon rising in the
morning they throw the windows open and give the room a good airing. The
ventilation does not do much good except when there is someone in the
room. During the day the bedroom could be closed with very little harm
ensuing, though it is best to have it sunned and aired as much as
possible.
The sleeping porch is excellent. Outdoor sleeping is all right and it is
not a modern fad. Where Benjamin Franklin got his information I do not
know, but he has this to say about outdoor sleeping: "It is recorded
that Methusaleh, who, being the longest liver, may be supposed to have
best preserved his health, that he slept always in the open air; for
when he had lived five hundred years an angel said to him: 'Arise,
Methusaleh, and build thee an house, for thou shalt live five hundred
years longer.' But Methusaleh answered, and said: 'If I am to live but
five hundred years longer, it is not worth while to build me an house; I
will sleep in the air as I have been used to do.'" This may partly
account for some of his many years. His alleged conversation with the
angel indicates that he was a man of equanimity.
Under ordinary circumstances those who sleep indoors should have one
sash of window fully open for each person in the chamber, or more. It is
well to have plenty of fresh air, but it is not best to sleep in a
draught. When the wind is blowing through the windows it is not
necessary to have them wide open, for an aperture of four inches will
then give as much fresh air as a sash opening in calmer weather.
It is best to get up promptly upon awakening in the morning. Remaining
in bed half asleep is productive of slothfulness. Too much sleeping and
dozing make one dull.
Those who overeat require more sleep than moderate people. The
sluggishness and sleepiness following a too heavy meal are familiar to
all. Animals that do not get food regularly, but are dependent on the
vicissitudes of preying for their nourishment, often gorge themselves so
that they can not stay awake, but fall into a stupor, which may last for
days. Man, who is generally assured of three meals a day, has no excuse
for this form of self-abuse, but unfortunately he practices it too
often. It is a gross habit, one in which people of refinement will not
continue to indulge.
Young children should take a nap each day. They are so active that they
need this rest. Adults can with profit take a short nap, not to exceed
thirty minutes, after lunch. Those who are nervous owe it to themselves
to take a nap. Those who use the brain a great deal will find the midday
nap a great restorer. If sleep will not come, they should at least close
their eyes and remain relaxed for a short time. A long nap makes one
feel stupid.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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