occur in the later stages.  The pupils are mostly dilated, rarely contracted, and they are often unequal and react slowly to light.  When the tongue is protruded it trembles and is put out in a jerky manner.  The hands tremble, in the advanced stage.  The speech is jerky and slow.  Syllables are dropped and repeated.  One early symptom is retention of the urine.  There is another annoying symptom—­a constant grinding of the teeth.  The walk is very spasmodic, but in advanced stages it becomes slouching or dragging.  The skin may be red or blue.  When the feeble-mindedness is fully developed the mind does not perceive anything accurately.  He sees imaginary things, and things that he does see do not appear to him as they are.  Finally he has no mind.

Treatment.—­The end is sure.  You can relieve the distress partly.  Personal attention by a physician is needed.

[Nervous system 299]

Insomnia.—­Insomnia is not a disease, but a symptom of disease.  It may, however, become so active, prominent, and important a symptom as to constitute a condition which merits individual management and treatment.

Definition.—­Insomnia is the term employed to denote actual or absolute sleeplessness, and also lack of fully restful sleep, which might be termed relative sleeplessness.

Causes.—­Organic causes.  Disease of the brain and spinal cord.  Toxic causes due to poison circulating in the blood which by irritation of the brain and cord (axis) and especially of the brain, cause such diseases as nephritis (chronic), jaundice, typhoid fever and consumption.

Primary causes.  Depend upon insanity.

Nervous or simplest causes.—­These are present in nervous persons and comprise the two conditions of congestion and anemia of the brain.  The brain congestion is typified by the nerve-tire of the student; over-study and anxiety bring too much blood to the brain and necessarily too much activity and then insomnia.  Anemia of the brain acts in the opposite manner.  The brain cells are not properly nourished and hence irritated, and sleeplessness follows.

Sleeplessness.  Mothers’ Remedies. 1.  Hop Pillow Stops.—­“People affected in this way will be very much benefited by the use of a pillow composed of hops, or cup of warm hop tea on retiring.  The hops have a very soothing effect upon the nerves.”

2.  Sleeplessness, Easy and Simple Remedy for.—­“On going to bed, take some sound, as a clock-tick or the breathing of some one within hearing, and breathe long breaths, keeping time to the sound.  In a very short time you will fall asleep, without any of the painful anxieties attending insomnia.”

[300 Mothers’ remedies]

3.  Sleeplessness, Ginger at Bedtime for.—­“Ginger tea taken at bedtime soothes one to sleep,” This is a very good remedy when the stomach is at fault.  It stimulates this organ and produces a greater circulation, thereby drawing the blood from the head.  This will make the patient feel easier and sleep will soon follow.