Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-12-08
THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP.

Each successive gradation in sleep
is marked by the inclusion of ner1
vous system, which is for the time
being shut off, so to speak, from par
ticipating in the general life function
of the Individual until, when the
maximum intensity is sattained, moth
ing is left but the purely animal
one might almost say the vegeta-
tive-life. Sleep of this degree of in
tensitS although a perfectly normal
process, is not in health of long dura-
ton. After the lapse OF a variable
space of time the systems one by one
resume their functions until finally
the sum of perceptions brings about
the condition of awakening.
The brain shares in the need, which
is everywhere apparent of periods OF
rest. The products of cerebral activ-
ity accumulate more rapidly than
they are eliminated, and period
therefore arrives when the tissues are
no longer able to do their work. The
result is an invincible feeling of in
disposition to exertion, physical or
mental. The temporary and invol-
untary cessation of activity is at once
followed by diminution of the blood
supply the anRmia sOinduced being,
therefore, q consequence, and not a
cause of the state of repose.
The various parts Of the nervous
system are not all involved simulta-
neously or to the same extent. The
centres governing voluntary move
o+ Tho "a Hrct n, hn offnaf06
seen in the nodding of the head and
the closure of the eyelids, and the
body, if not prevented, tends to as
sumo the position of repose deter
mined by the laws of gravity. The
special senses soon follow, but here
again they are not abrogated en- masse.
Sight is the first to 60, the stimulus
no longer reaching that portion of the
cerebrum where it can give rise to a
definite sensation, even where the
closure of the lids has not shut off
external stimuli altogether. Hear
ing and smell are remarkably persist
ent, and except in the deepest sleep,
may be said to be only dulled and
not extinguished. Every one is ia
miliar with the ease with which sleep
is to put to an end by unaccustomed
noise, even of slight intensity, or,
better still, by the cessation of any
monotonous sound, as for instance
the awakening of travellers by rail or
steamboat on any stoppage OF the train
or machinery. Instances are on re-
cord, too, where the inhabitants of a
house 'have been reused simply BY
the smell of tobacco INDUCED in by
inexperienced or incautious burglars.
The persistent sensibility of these
senses may, to some extent, be &C.
counted for by the fact that they are
not shut off from communication with
the outside world as are, for example,
the eyes. To allow sleep, or at any
rate quiet sleep, a certain harmony
must exist in the condition of all, the
organs, which must, so to speak, be-
turned to the sleep tune. If one or
gan be in a state of activity, or, on
the other hand its condition be alb
normal in some other way. the sem
sorium refuses to abdicate its control.
This is familiar to US in the case of
cerebral activity or cold feet at bed
time, both being inimical to sleep.
Inasmuch, therefore, as insomonia
may result from either set of causes
we can either employ drugs, such as
opium, which acts directly on the
nerve centres and so bring aboutsleep
or we may resort to medicine like
hyphone, which is said to favor sleep
rather than induce it by allaying the
irritable or hyper@sthetic condition
of certain organs or parts.
BREAD A CENTURY OLD.-The
keeper of the archives for the Hun
garian county of Marmaros found
lately, slowed away with some an
cient registers, a packet bearing this
inscription: "Qualitas panis Marmat-
lei in penuria, A. D. 1885," Quality
of the Marmaros bread in the year of
want, 1852 The bread is composed
partly Of oatmeal, but the greater por-
tion of it is the bark of trees. The
county authorities have directed the
specimen to be preserved in the local
museum.-Lo1adon Times.
H@ Early childhood, as nature in
tended, should be free from all care.
Children are born "heirs of the earth
and Skies" and all that comes to
them is received without question or
wonder. But, as they develop into
maturity, they should be gradually
taken into the confidence of the par
ents and made partners in the family
interests.