Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-10-24
SOMNAMBULTSM.
THEORIES DEVISED TO EXPLAIN
SLEEP WALKING PHENOMENA.

Clairvoyance and other Abnormal Com
ditions--C auses OF sleep Walking.
What form the movements Of the somnam-
bulist may take is governed to a great degree
by impressions received by the subject, but
10 a greater degree, perhaps, by some govern
| ing idea which has been awakened by what
ever set the centers fer movements In opera
ton. Sleep walkers differ markedly among
| themselves as tn the effect upon them Of these
two sets Of conditions. Some can be influ-
enced in amy desired direction by suggestions
| conveyed by words, movements or sensa-
tions communicated by impressions made
upon the sense of touch. Others disregard
such lmpressions--thc avenues of which
seem to be closed-and are governed exclu-
siyely by some fixed idea The previous
knowledge Of somnambulsts as 10 lo,aiifies
has much to do with the remarkable feats
they are known to have performed. In
strange locality the walking ON the ridge
| pole Of "a house along the brink Of preci-
| pice is mot, by any means, as safe as some
| have believed. The occurrence, within the
| 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 i,lea Of the marvellous
safety of sleep walkers must be he aban-
doncd. If this Is thoroughly understood it
Is likely that better caro- will be taken TO
guard the safety OF those known TO 10 sub
jects of what must be considered disease.
Although the actions Of the sleep walker
seem 10 be to some degree Mt least under the
control Of the will, 1t is very apparent from
the foregoing considerations that they are
TO 10 considered rs almost entirely auto
matte. In ordinary dreams the will is without
the dreamer In somnambulism there are
real muscular actions added TO the ordinary
dream. Hence it is that thofts 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 one should be held re-
sponsiblo for an act OF the imagination, q
homicide dreamed TO have been perpetrated
for example. The real action of the SOM
nambulist 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 cassed 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 epi-
lepsy is now beyond question. In true SOM
nambulism there is no recollection of what
has taken place during an attack, either in
the walking condition or ia 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 inteliec-
tual departments seem, however, to be in a
condition more nearly approaching that pres.
ent when the whole brain is awake. 1t is
impossible 10 state what the real condition Of
the brain is in somnnmbulism. II is most
likely that there is some kind Of disturbance
in the amount Of blood sent 10 different parts
of the organ Of mind
To explain the mesmeric phenomena it hns
been thought that some one Sr several parts
of the brain are thrown out OF their ordinary
relations with other parts by this passes ant
other mauipulations of the mesmerizer. Il
is, perhaps, by gradually but very completed,
exhausting the irritability of some parts thai
this is brought about. Then, 1t is supposed
those parts first affected exert an inhibitinl
influence over other parts, until only a SINAI
part of the nervous centers is capable of TO
spending to any kind Of an impression. Henc,
1t has been possible for complete anasthesii
to be produced in this way-so complete tina
limbs have been amputated and other gray,
surgical operations have been performe,
without other means Of lessenins or prevent
ing pain.
REAL cLAIHyoYANcE.
The testimony In favor oil Subjects In thi
artificial somnambulism being able--some o
thenl-to see what is going OF at distance
10 read sealed letters, and to hear "A converse
, ton taking place several miles away, seem
! TO BIO SO conclusive that many distinguishes,
scholars, physicians and philosophers are firm
believers in clairvoyanee anu elairaudience
IL Is certain, ut all events. that in natural q
well as in artificial somnambulism the sense
become much moro acute than in the norma
I condition. As all the special senses ar
] simply notifications and higher develop
ments Of the sensa of touch, IL may not be $
. very unreasonable to think that under eel
I tain abnormal conditions, this fundamenta
; sense may become exalted -hyIerasthatic-
e 10 such u degree AZ TO enable 1t 30 take th
place Of sight or hearing. In the ind, rs
: well known, this SENSE and that of hearin
both become greatly exalt.sI They can u,
0 take tho place OF the Lost vision, but the
: make a nearer approach TO doing 20 tina
J could have been exaecsul by any nne VII
has not witnessed nc phenomena of ruadin,
! sewing and the carrying ON of mechanics
2 trades by tho hlinl.
2 The causes Of sep walking are to be foun
{ In disturbances Il health. digestion, fever
and over excitement rather than TO any dil
!, bolical agency. Those who have inherite
!, an over sensitive nervous organization al
: most liable IL become somnambulic. Thos
exhausted by excess in work. study or in viz
J are also subject 10 similar disturbances
!, Some families show a marked tendency top
:. ard somnambuiism, many memlars becon
ing Affected. The treatment IL simp
enough when the cause Is known, and can
removed In chronic, inveterate sleep wall
Ing It may become necessary to attend CIR
fully TO the securing Of doors and wind1 Y
ut night in order 10 prevent accidents, whic
are more frequently serious 10 sleep wake
than Is usually supposed. GLOBE Democrat
They Acted like IL.
, 'sDo you know remarked the professor
ssthat dogs hive hean known to act strangel
for several hours before an earthqualsel