The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-11-05
A2|I(0erson yntelligenter~
The Phenomena of Sleep.

DR.. Egbert Guernsey, in the June number OF
the Gedicat Union, thus dscourses Of sleep, from
q physicians point Of view:
How issleep induced, and what is the con-
dition of the brain during this period OF rest
which occupies near one third of our llves7 are
Questions not merely of curiosity but OF real
practical use. Either the nervous mass as q
whole is quiescent, undisturbed by currents OF
nervous energy, or currents are still kept up
but at an even, unaltering pace The latter
conclusion seems the most plausible, and Is
more distinctly borne out by facts: The ner-
yous system is seldom allowed to fall into en-
tire somnolence, but however profound the
slumber, the mind still seems to retain waking
impressions, and is to certain extent under
their influences even in sleep. person even
very much fatigued, who has previously accus,
toned himselfto to that self-discipline, Will tall
into a deep and sound slumber, and yet wake
up promptly at time specified In his waking
moments, Notwithstanding he might have sum, i.
bered for hours had it not been for this act OF
the will. A gentleman, who in the prosecution
Of his business is obliged to travel constantly,
taking the train at all hours, and catching ms
sleep when and where he can get it, informs me
thatha never has any trouble, however much
fatipued he may be, in waking at any speclhed
time. Even without this strcng exercise OF the
will power, the brain, however profoundly
ouiescent is keenly alive to certain sounds,
however oblivious it may be to others. Inc
physician hears the first tap of his nlght-Deli,
though he might sleep on undisturbed while
band of music was playing in front of his WIN,
dows, or the roar of the thunder or the crash OF
artillery was making the windows rattle and the
he'd trembe beneath him. The mother starts
from her deep slumber at the first cry OF her
child, her ear quickly catching, however pro,
found may be her sleep, almost its altered
breathing. 1t is said of a young man, mid
shipman, wishing to commend himself to the
commander, spent eighteen hours out OF the
twenty-four in watching and recording. signals,
only retiring to rest when utterly exhausted.
Then mis- slumber was so profound that the
loudest noise would produce noimpresslon, but
simply whisper in his ear the word "slgnaF' ana
in an instant he was on his feet, wide awake
and ready for duty. We are all familiar with
a kind of waking sleep, in which perfect stlii-
ness or some monotonous sound lulls US into
a kind of semi mi-unconsciousness. ANY disturo-
ing element may rouse up the currents OF nerve
force into full activity, but without them con-
seiousness gradually disappears, according as
the nerve currents are UNMARRIED IN tnelr oegfee'
until sleep, more or less profound, is produced.
certain low degree of nerve action as existing
under every variety of state, from the light sleep
to the most profound. On this hypothesis,
when Ell the currents of the brain are equally
balanced snd continue at the same pitch, when
no one is commencing, increasing, or abatlng,
consciousness or feeling is null and mind IS qul-
escent & disturbance Of this state OF things
wakens up the consciousness for q time; the
variety or stimula in the waking state forbid
ding this perfect equilibrium from being at
tained.
Sleep is a positive necessity. 1t is period
of recuperation, during which there is resto-
ration of what has suffered collapse waste or
disturbance during the period of waking aetlv-
ity. The tired brain and the aching muscles
regain. by rest, strength and the power to obey
the mandates of the will. The demands of the
material form for rest are so great as often 10
defy the action of the mind. During the chol-
era summer of 1S49, while practicing in the
country, so constant and fatiguing were my
professional labors that have often ridden tor
miles on horseback fast asleep. Almost every
physician in active practice during periods OF
epidemics, when his strength was taxed to the
utmost, has dropped into sleep as have done
many times, while walking the streets. During
the battle of theNile many of the boys engaged
in handling ammunition fell asleep even while
the roar of the battle was going on around
them. It is said in the retreat to Corrunna
whole battallions ofinfantry slept while in rapid
march. Even the most acute bodily suierlngs
are not always sufficient to prevent sleep. The
wornn-out frame of the victim Of the Inquisition
has Welded to its influence in the pause Of his
tortures upon the rack, and for a moment he
hasforgotten his sufferings. The Indian burned
at the stake, in the interval between preimina-
~ torture and the lighting of the fire, has sweety
slumbered, and been only aroused By the flame
which was to consume him curling around
him.