Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-03-02
On the Science of Sleep.

FROM ancient times sleep has been re-
garded by philosophers and students OF
nature with the deepest interest. 1t is
| therefore, the more remarkable that until
very recently one Of the most important
questions in connection with the theme
namely, the cause of sleep and the rea
son of its periodical return, has been but
very imperfectly answered. Two years
ago Professor Pettenkofer of Munich, a
gentleman widely celebrated for his re-
searches into the cause of cholera, in the
course of his experiments upon the ey-
change Of gases in the human system,
gave perfectly satisfactory reply to the
inquiry.
1t has long been known that the oxygen
taken in during the act of breathing plays
very important part, inasmuch as through
its union with the substance Of our bodies
the vital forces are generated. In every
process OF life, however insignificant, a
certain quantity of oxygen is consumed
1t is, in sense, the steam power by which
the living machine is driven, and the
amount used can be measured by the GUAM
tity of carbonic acid generated and set free
in the act of expiration. For this purpose,
Pettenkofer, assisted by Volt Has com
trTved an apparatus, and has thereby
brought TO light the unexpected fact that
during the day, even with the slightest
efforts, we give forth proportionately much
more carbonic acid, or, in other words.
consume much more oxygen than we re-
ceive during the same period.
From this interesting fact their natural
ly arises the important inquiry, by what
means is this daily deficiency supplied ?
Here, also Pettenkofers researches furnish
ns with satisfactory answer. Sleep is the
prudent minister Of finance, who every
night, by wise economy, makes up the
losses OF the day, for in sleep we not only
consume half as much less oxygen as we
do in the day, but we take In twice az
much as we do when we are awake. Dur.
ing sleep we lay in a store of oxygen,
which enables US without fear to look for
ward to the deficiency of tomorrow. Is
not this arrangement truly worthy of our
warmest admiration? Many a State
might congratulate itself if its financial
administration were conducted on similar
principles. Once more we find that ma
ture is the best teacher, giving us lesson
in national economy from the philosophy
Of sleep.
We have laid down the principle that in
every process Of life, no matter how
trifling it may seem, we consume certain
proportion of oxygen. Every motion,
every sensation, even every thought is such
a process. If we shake hands with
friend, If we look at him, our heart beat
ing quicker at the thought, we suffer the
loss Of q definite quantity Of oxygen; a
certain portion Of our body is consumed
and changed into carbonic acid. All this
sounds horribly material, but it is never
theless, perfectly true. and Is sustained by
the best possible proofs-namely, those
arising from the economy Of the human
system. During sleep its task is to be
sparing of oxygen, and like q wise house
holder, who avoids all useless and lux
urious indulgence, and limits himself to
such expenditures a. is necessary for his
subsistence, it faithfully performsit.
But what are these things which we
may regard a. the luxurious expenditure
of our ORGANISM! Above all, we may In
clude in this category the whole range of