CHAPTER XXV
SLEEPING AND EATING
Man’s rich restorative, his balmy bath
That supplies, lubricates and keeps in play
The various movements of this nice machine.
Young.
“There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of” in anybody’s philosophy or understanding of living; it is not strange that the great mass have not dreamed of eating as a cause of sleeplessness and ill-health, though they may dream in consequence of it. It is generally believed that a hearty meal of any indigestible food immediately before bed is bad for sleep: yet animals and primitive men always sleep after they are gorged. But few recognize that the whole plan of eating may be responsible for sleeplessness or excessive sleepiness. For, like fatigue, food may either bring or prevent sleep.
In these days not even the most fastidious will object to a discussion of the ethics and æsthetics of feeding. It is no longer “the gratification of a vulgar necessity,” but a matter of keen scientific interest. Colleges give courses in the chemistry of food that we may know what combinations it is wise to make, while some of the leading universities have made severe practical tests of some of the new “fads in eating.” There are so many theories of eating to-day that one may take his choice, and, if the quality of both health and sleep is not improved, he can run through the list and then take what is best of each.
When Dr. W. W. Hall wrote his book on fresh air in the sleeping-room, he added, in a casual sort of way, this piece of advice to the would-be sleeper, “Always eat slowly and in moderation of well-divided food.” That is advice that will bear infinite repetition. It is really the keynote of all the present-day theories of eating. It applies equally well to omnivorous and vegetarian peoples.