Soporifics By The Million

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30895, 30 October 1965, Page 15

Soporifics By The Million

(Special Crspdt. N Z P A f LONDON, Oct. 29. Britons swallow three million sleeping tablets every night to combat sleeplessness, according to a consultant psychiatrist, Dr. M. N. Pai. He says that more than a quarter of all National Health Service prescriptions are for tranquillisers, sedatives, hypnotics and other calming and stimulant drugs. In addition, 2000 million aspirin tablets a year are obtained through the health service.

Most of this pill addiction, says Dr. Pai, who has made a study of sleep and sleeplessness, could and should be avoided. Insomnia, unlike sleeping pills, had never killed anyone. In 1962, deaths from drug poisoning were nearly 5000. Poetry and light fiction were safer soporifics. Dr. Pai says insomnia had become the most common complaint in civilised countries. Eight hours sleep a night were not essential; moreover, insufficient sleep would not cause illness and death. Cave-man, lacking light, slept long hours. This marked the zenith of human sleepi-

ness. The accidental discovery of fire was the beginning of civilisation and of the decline of sleep. Housewife’s insomnia was sometimes due to the inability of some housewives to eope with the many mechanical and electrical gadgets that proliferated in the home. Speculator’s insomnia was common in people interested in football pools. Among Dr. Pai’s suggestions for overcoming insomnia are a bedroom with soft lighting and little furniture, and with walls, curtains and drapes in green; he advises no coffee or strong tea within half an hour of bed. Drugs should be a last resort.