sleeping on his back a pillow is certainly an objectionable feature. It
tips the head forward and is conducive to round shoulders. A pillow is
of value when sleeping on the side or in the partial face-downward
position, as indicated in the illustration.

The accompanying illustration shows a special position that I can
recommend for securing restful sleep and for insuring deeper
respiration. In this position you sleep with the body tipped forward
partly upon the chest, and on the forearm, with one elbow just back of
the body and hand under the waist. The knee of the upper leg will be
drawn up somewhat. While this is a very comfortable position its chief
advantage lies in the effect upon the respiration. It will be noted
that in this position the organs lying below the diaphragm are placed in
a suspended position, so to speak. The stomach and other organs by
their own weight pull downward from the diaphragm, thus naturally
allowing more space in the lungs, and particularly in the lower part
of the lungs. Through the simple effect of gravitation, therefore, this
position allows one to breathe a larger amount of air through the
entire night. One may turn from one side to the other in order to change
the position, as it will be equally comfortable on right or left
sides. In cases where there is weakness of the heart the left-side
position can not be recommended if discomfort of any sort is noticed.

One often hears a reference to beauty sleep and is often asked: "Is it
really true that an hour of sleep before midnight is equal to two
hours after midnight?" There are many writers who claim that the time
when you sleep matters but little if you secure a sufficient amount of
sleep. It is doubtful, however, if this view is absolutely correct. I am
inclined to lean towards the old-fashioned view as to the good effect
of early retiring on beauty development that is based on health
building.

In one sense, it is reasonable to conclude that an hour of sleep before
midnight is worth more than an hour thereafter. I am satisfied that
there is greater exhaustion of the body from late than from normal
hours, and it is difficult to get the full benefit from sleep when
going to bed after midnight. At least the nerve strain of artificial
light tends to produce a certain degree of vital depletion that one
would not experience if his waking hours included only the daylight.
Then again, there is probably