Food Before Sleep

Many persons, though not actuallj 'sii-k, keep below par in Btrength anc general tune, and I ain of the opinión that fastíng during the long interval between supper aud breakfast, and especially the complete emptiness of the Btomach during sleep, adds greatly to the atnount of emaciation, sleeplessuess aud general weakness we so often meet. Physiology teaches that in the body there is a perpetual disintegration of tissue, . sleeping or waking; it is therefore logical to believe that the supply of nourishment should be soniewhat continuous especially in those who are below par, if we would conteraet their emaciation and lowered degree of vitality; and is bodily exercise is suspended during sleep, with wear and tear correspondingly diininished, while digestión, assiaiilation and nutritive activity continue as usual, the food furnished duriug this period adds more than is destroyed, and increased weight and improved general vigor is the result. All beings except man are governed by natural instinct, and every being with a stomach, except man, eats before sleep, and even the human infant, guided by the same instinct, sucks frequently day and night, and if its Btomach is empty for any prolonged period, it cries long and loud. Digestión requires no interval of rest, and if the amount of food during the twenty-four Ik mis is, in quantity and 'liiality, iiot bevond the physiological limit, it makes no hurtml difference t the Btomach ho'w Cew or how short in tlie intervals between eating, l)iit it does make a vast difference in the weak ani emaciated one's welfare to have a modicum ui food in the stomach during the time of slee]), that, instead of beinj consumed by bodily action, it niav during the interval improve tlie lowerei system ; and I am rally satlsfled thai were the weakly. the emaciated, ani the sleepless to rightly take a light lunch or meal of simple, nutritious food before going to bed for a prolougec period, nine in ten of them would be thereby lifted into a better standard o healtli'. In my specialty (nose and throat) ] encounter cases that, in addition to local and constitutional treatment, neet an increase of nutritious food, and ] ñnd that by directing a bowl of breac and niilk, or mug of beer and a few bis cuits, or a saucer of oatmeal and creani before going to bed, for a few inonths, a surprising increase in weight, strength and general tone results; on the con trary, persons who are too stout or plethoric should follow the opposite course