The article discusses the complexities of treating insomnia, highlighting the lack of understanding about the exact causes of normal sleep. Professor Bradbury's lectures on hypnotics emphasize the difficulty in identifying the chemical changes that lead to sleep and the challenges in developing effective and safe treatments. The text outlines various causes of insomnia, including irritative, toxic, and psychological factors, and suggests that addressing these underlying causes is often more effective than relying solely on hypnotic drugs. It also provides recommendations for specific treatments, such as paraldehyde, chloramide, and bromides, and emphasizes the importance of careful selection of drugs to minimize toxicity. The article then shifts to the case of Dr. Lamont, a medical officer in South Uist, Scotland, who was subjected to vindictive and unfair treatment by local officials during a typhus fever epidemic. Despite his dedication and success in treating patients, Dr. Lamont was dismissed from his position and falsely accused of giving false vaccination certificates. His case was brought before the House of Commons, where both sides praised him and called for compensation and punishment for the officials involved. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for legislative action to protect medical professionals from such unfair treatment.The article discusses the complexities of treating insomnia, highlighting the lack of understanding about the exact causes of normal sleep. Professor Bradbury's lectures on hypnotics emphasize the difficulty in identifying the chemical changes that lead to sleep and the challenges in developing effective and safe treatments. The text outlines various causes of insomnia, including irritative, toxic, and psychological factors, and suggests that addressing these underlying causes is often more effective than relying solely on hypnotic drugs. It also provides recommendations for specific treatments, such as paraldehyde, chloramide, and bromides, and emphasizes the importance of careful selection of drugs to minimize toxicity. The article then shifts to the case of Dr. Lamont, a medical officer in South Uist, Scotland, who was subjected to vindictive and unfair treatment by local officials during a typhus fever epidemic. Despite his dedication and success in treating patients, Dr. Lamont was dismissed from his position and falsely accused of giving false vaccination certificates. His case was brought before the House of Commons, where both sides praised him and called for compensation and punishment for the officials involved. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for legislative action to protect medical professionals from such unfair treatment.