The hypocaust system. The hypocaust system (hypocaustum in Latin) was a heating system used in (wealthy) Roman homes and Roman baths, and the closest thing to central heating today. The hypocaust was a system that circulated hot air under the floor and surrounding walls. Hypocaust construction
CDC: Nearly 9 millon Americans use prescription sleep aids. Nearly 9 million U.S. adults take prescription sleep aids, with use more common among those who are older, female, white and better educated, according to the first government survey of its kind released on Thursday.
Many older Americans use some form of sleep aid pill, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications make use of the drowsiness caused by some common medications. Prescription drugs used specifically for improving sleeping are called sedative hypnotics. As a general rule, do not take either prescription nor non-prescription sleeping pills on consecutive days or for more than 2 - 4 days a week. 2  If insomnia is still a problem after stopping the drug and continuing with good sleep hygiene, this pattern can be repeated again, but for only up to 4 weeks.