eeded to
give sleep. These remedies, especially the first, should be at once
applied, if the sleeplessness is accompanied, as is usual, with _heat
in the head_. Even where the fevered head is connected with
indigestion, the stomach will be powerfully helped by a good soaping of
the head at bedtime. If, on the contrary, the head is cold, then warm
fomentations to it will be the proper treatment. Perhaps the very best
guide will be to aim at what will make both head and feet perfectly
comfortable, and _both_ of natural heat. If cold, the feet must be
bathed or fomented, and the legs also up to the knees. Sometimes the
pouring of warm water in a _douche_ over the head will act perfectly,
instead of the fomentation; but pouring _cold_ water must be avoided,
or only very cautiously resorted to (_see_ Sitz-Bath and Restlessness).

Sometimes sleeplessness proceeds from the use of bad drinking water,
through its effect on the stomach and bowels. In this case, of course,
the first thing is to see that no bad water is drunk. People cannot be
too careful about a water supply. Usually boiling for half-an-hour
renders water safe enough, but this is not always the case. Care must
then be taken to see that water from any corrupted source is not used.
When it is given up, treatment as above may be applied.

If the sleeplessness be caused by a nasty tickling cough, put a BRAN
POULTICE (_see_), or similar FOMENTATION (_see_) on the back _behind_
where the cough catches. Then change cold towels _in front_ over the
same place. Soap the head, and sleep will probably soon come.

Where palpitation of the heart causes sleeplessness, change cold towels
over the heart, fomenting the feet if necessary, and the palpitation
will usually soon yield. _See_ Brain; Children's Sleep; Exercise; Head;
Rest.

Smallpox.--If an epidemic prevails in the neighbourhood, or a case
occurs in the house, after _due and carefully performed_ vaccination of
the family, the important matter to regard is _cleanliness_. Frequent
and thorough washing and changing of all the clothes worn next the skin
will do much to prevent possible infection. If the clothes are often
changed, then, and well washed, and the skin gets a daily washing with
soap and is sponged with hot vinegar, there is little danger of
infection during an epidemic of smallpox, or even when nursing the
disease. Acetic acid, or white wine vinegar, is even a more powerful
cleansing agent than carbolic ac