The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-11-13

lengthy and extended investigation we
may, however, briefly glance at the es-
sentials of this curious state in it's especial
relations to somnambulism and dreams.
All Psychologists are agreed that the ex-
PLANTATION of the curious phenomena,
which Mr.. Baird. of Manchester, was the
first to examine and report upon scientific
cally, rests in the fact that the hypnotized
subject is firstly an easily impressed or
susceptible person, and secondly, that the
attention is fixed and strained under the
influence of powerful will and of a domi-
nant idea or ideas proceeding from the
operator. In his trance-like state, the sub
ject is completely dominated by the ideas
of the mesmerizer.
SO far as this exact description goes,
there would appear to be close likeness
between the French sergeant described by
DIR. Mesnet and the mesmerized subject.
In both the same mechanical phases are
apparent, and in both the life and actions
are distinctly automatic, and regulated
essentially from without and at the will of
the external guide and counsellor.
The natural somnambulist, in turn,
closely resembles in his acts and habits the
subject of the mesmerists operations. 1t
is notable fact that in the scientific
study of somnambulism great differences
are found to exist in the relative activity
OF the senses. One sleep-walker may see
but does not hear second may hear but
be blind to external impressions. In some
the eyes are closed; certain objects in one
case may be seen, to the exclusion of
others and one sense-most frequently,
perhaps, that of touch-may become in
ordlnately acute. Such considerations
lead us toward the explanation of the re-
markable dexterity with which somnam-
bulist will conduct himself in the most
untoWard and dangerous situations. Like
the mesmerized subject, the sleep-walker
will execute feats of strength, of manual
deterity, or of acrobatic agility, such as in
his walking state he would never dream of
attempting. There is present in such
cases an increased flow of nerve power
toward the particular sense or senses con-
cerned in the direction of the sleep walker.
Everything that concerns other senses or
matters foreign to the exact business in
hand, so to speak, is excluded from the
mental view. There is but one idea ami
mating the mind, and the whole brain
force may be regarded as concentrating it.
self for the performance of the task in
hand. The somnanbulist, in short, has
become a temporary specialist in the mat
ter of his dream, and his whole frame be-
comes subseryient to the performance of
the aim unconsciously set before him. On
some such principle may we account sat.
isfactorily for the walk during sleep
vigil along the lodges of house roof, and
the easy access to situations of peril. I'm
der this unwonted stimulation of special
sense OF senses, the difficult problems OF
unsolved tasks of the day may be success
fully and unconsciously achieved during
the night.
The history related by Abercrombie in
his intellectual Powers" of the sleep
vigils of an eminent lawyer illustrates
the latter observation. A case involving
the formation of an elaborate opinion had
occupied this gentleman's attention for
considerable period. Rising from his bed
in sleep-vigil he was observed by his wife
topenalong communication at adesk which
stood in his bedroom, the paper being
carefully deposited in the desk, and the
writer returning to bed. In the morning
he related to his wife the particulars of
remarkable dream he had experienced, in
which clear train of thought respecting
the case in question had occurred to him.
To his regret, he added he could not rec
collect the details of his dream. but on be-
ing referred to his desk the opinion in
question was found clearly and lucidly
written out. Numerous instances of the
like successful solutions of intricate prob
lens in mathematics have been placed on
record, but the details teach the same les
son respecting the exultation of the men
tai power, stimulated probably by the
efforts of the day, which may take place
in the brain, which retains it's activity in
the watches of the night.
Persons have been known actually to
swim for a considerable time in the SOM
nambulistic state without waking at the
termination of their journeys; others
have safely descended the shaft of mine,
while some have assembled steep cliffs, and
have returned home in safety during
prolonged sleep-vigil. More extraordinary,
perhaps, as showing the close likeness be-
tween the abnormal and automatic acts of
the French sergeant with an injured
brain and the actions of the somnambulist
suffering merely from functional distur-
bance of the organ of mind, is the case of
a young French priest, related by the
Archbisop of Bordeaux in the ''Encyclo-
pedie Methodique." This subject was &C.
customed to pen his sermons during his
sleep-yigils, and, having written page,
would read it aloud and duly correct it,
even extending his alterations to include
important grammatical and rhetorical
effects. A card held between his eyes and
his manuscript did not interfere VIII
work. After page had been y
was removed and blank She
the same size laid in
experiment on Dr.,
! Will