The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-03-03
SOMNAMBUIISM.
THEORIES DEVISED TO EXPLAIN
SLEEP WALKING PHENOMENA.

Periious Adventures OF somnambuiists.
Double observation-disclosures Sleep.
Ciairvoyance and Other Abnormal Con-
ditions--Causes OF Sleep Walking.
What form the movements OF the somnam-
Dulist may take is governed TO great degree
by impressions received by the subject, but
10 greater degree, perhaps, by some govern
ing idea which has been awakened by what
ever set the centers for movements in opera
ton. Sleep walkers differ markedly among
themselves M TO the effect upon them Of these
two sets OF conditions Some can be infiu-
enced in any desired direction by suggestions
conveyed by words, movements or sensa-
lions communicated by impressions made
upon the sense Of touch. Others disregard
such impressons-the avenues OF which
seem to he closcd-and are governed exclu-
sively by some fixed idea. The previous
knowledge OF somnambulsts as to localities
has much To do with the remarkable feats
they are known to have performed. In a
strange locality the walking on the ridge
pole of house or along the brink Of a preci-
pice is not, by any means as safe as some
have believed The occurrence, within tho
past year, of several fatal accidents to such
sleepers proves that they have no magical
power of finding safety where Others en-.
counter danger. This idea Of the marvellous
safety of sleep walkers must he he aban-
doned II this is thoroughly understood it
is likely that better care will he taken to
guard tho safety Of those known to be sub
jects Of what must he considered disease.
Although the actions of the sleep walker
seem to be 10 some degree at least under the
control of the will, it is very apparent from
the foregoing considerations that they are
to Ike considered as almost entirely auto
matte In ordinary dreams the will is without
power to control even the imaginary acts of
the dreamer. In somnambulism there are
real muscular actions added to the ordinary
dream. Hence it is that thefts or other
unlawful acts may result from the abnormal
condition, and the sleep walker should not
be held morally or criminally responsible for
such occurances. No ono should be held re-
sponsible for an act of the Imagination, a
homicide dreamed to have been perpetrated
for example The real action of the SOM
nalnbulst is of the same nature, so far as re-
sponsibility is concerned, as the peculiar
freaks of the Imagination which take place
in an ordinary dream.
DIFFERENT CONDITIONS.
Some authors, especially those of an early
date, have evidently classed together as
cases of somnambulism number of distinctly
different conditions. Some instances OF
masked epilepsy for instance, have been thus
improperly classified The so called double
consciousness" is of this variety This con-
sists in the individual recollecting during the
paroxysms circumstances which occurred in
a former attack, though there was no remem-
brance of them during the interval" A
number of such cases have been placed on
record and their close relationship to cpl
lepsy is now beyond question. In true SOM
uambulSm there is no recollection of what
has taken place during an attack, either i'll
the walking condition or in subsequent at
tacks.
In the so called 'mesmeric Sleep" or
hypnotism, the condition of the brain is
doubtless very similar to that which is pres
ent in natural somnambulism. The intellec-
tual departments seem, however, to be in a
condition more nearly approaching that pres
ent when the whole brain is awake. 1t is
impossible to state what the real condition Of
the brain is in somnambulism 1t is most
likely that there is some kind Of disturbance
in the amount of blood sent to different parts
of the organ Of mind.
To explain the mesmeric phenomena it has
been thought that some one or several parts
of the brain are thrown out of their ordinary
relations with other parts by the passes" and
other manipulations Of the mesmerizer. 1t
is, perhaps, by gradually but very completely
exhausting the irritabilty Of some parts that
this is brought about. Then, it is supposed,
those parts first affected exert an inhibiting
influence over other parts, until only small
part of the nervous centers Is capable OF re-
spending to any kind of an impression. Hence
it has been possible for complete anasthesia
to be produced in this way--so complete that
limbs have been amputated and other grave
surgical operations have been performed
without other means Of lessening or prevent
ing pain.
REAL CLAIRvoYANCE.
The testimony in favor of subjects in this
artificial somnambulism being able-some Of
them--to see what is going on at distance,
to read sealed letters, and to hear a CONVERSE
ton taking place several miles away, seems
to be so conclusive that many distinguished
scholars, physicians and philosophers are firm
believers in clairvoyance and clairaudience.
1t is certain, at all events, that in natural as
we'll as in artificial somnambulism the senses
become much more acute than in the normal
condition AS all the special senses are
simply notifications and higher develop
ments of the sense of touch, it may not be sc
very unreasonable to think that, under Ger.
tain abnormal conditions, this fundamental
sense may become exalted--hyperasthet
to such degree as to enable it to take the
place of sight or hearing. In the blind, as is
well known, this sense and that of hearing
both become greatly exalted. They can moi
take the place of the lost vision, but they
make nearer approach to doing so than
could have been expected by any one who
has iA-,t witnessed the phenomena Of reading
sewing and the carrying on Of mechanical
trades by the blind.
The causes of sleep walking are to be found
in disturbances of health, indigestion, fevers
and over excitement rather than to any da
bolical agency. Those who have inherited
All over sensitive nervous organization are
most liable to become somnambulic. Those