Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-10
Human HibernatiOn.

From the British Medical journal.
The relationship between sleep. ''the cousin
OF death" and death itself, is probably real as
well as apparent. The distance which separates
them Is great. but there are intermediate con-
nect1ons, grades of dissolution as Of develop
ment. Among these the similar states Of trance
and Information are worthy of special notice.
For sleep and for trance. one cause the eXhaus-
t!on chiefly OF nervous matter but more or less
OF every organ and TISSUE is assignable. The
hysterical stupOr is the sleep of nerve centers
worn ont with the assault and conflict Of stormy
reflex action. Healthy sleep is the rest of phys
cal elements wearied with the same strain APP
piled more gradually. Cases have been recorded
in which sOmnOlence. continuing for days with
out cessation. has resembled trance in its dura-
ton, while preserving all the ordinary features
OF natural sleep. Various facts support us in
associating the Information Of animals with the
same train of organic or functional changes as
the other unconscious states which we have been
considering. 1t comes like a habit; it has. one
may say, annual return lis apparent cause is
the oppression of external cold and the animals
it affects are mostly those which, from their
bodily structure or habits. are subject to great
periodic variations Of temperature. Vital tissue
Is exhausted. and function is in part suspended
probably because the numbness of cold has
taken hold upon the radices of the outer circu-
lation and of that of the brain surface which is
connected with it by numerous anastomOses
In such case an1mia would seem to be the
cause OF tine winter sleep, as there is evidence
to show that IL Is also the cause OF that tempo
rary starvation of brain which lus without
arrestiDg its action, in the natural repose Of
each night.
We may even regard the lethargy. ended by
death, into which man falls when exposed to
great cold as a short and mortal Information.
The same influence acts upon him as upon the
bear or fish. but the power OF its shock is
greater on his finer and less accustomed senses
than on their comparatively coarse organiza-
ton. So likewise in other regions and forms of
life. in the WEAKNESS, paralysis, atrophy and
gangreEe OF limbs, in the 1eafless Information Of
trees, and in their decay, beginning in the ter
minal twigs, the same teaching is evident. that
vascular nutrition. in its periodic variations is
the parent Of activity and of rest. as its absence
is of death. 1t is not. therefore. altogether
surprising to meet with occasional instances
In which death is simulated by some deep degree
OF stupor. The case OF George Childet, a
laborer, living at Brdgewater which was
lately recorded in the daily newspapers, appears
tC have been one of this kind. The trance-like
state developed quite suddenly, and was mis-
taken by the relatives for death. Some Slight
degree Of warmth in the apparent corpse in
duced the Clergyman in attendance to rsfuse
burial In spite of the decided wish of the rela-
tives that it should take place. After eight
days the signs of animation were re-estabished.
and the subject OF this singular experience
slowly recovered. In all such cases. there is an
element of mystery; and one cannot always de-
eide how much OF this is due to physiological
or pathological conditions, or to some external
agency. We are not informed of the antece-
dents in the present instance. and cannot say
how much hard work understanding anxiety,
or other causes may have had to do with the re-
suit. The state described. II really one of
trance, affords striking example of the diff
Guilty which sometimes, though very rarely,
arises in proving the final point in diagnosis,
and warning that the most trivial sign Of
vitality should not be overlooked In determin-
ing the fact of death