The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-21
DEATHS TWIN BROTHER"

DIR. Andrew Wilson. writing In the Lon
don Chronicle, says: II have been perus-
Ing learned and highly interesting lec-
ture by Sir James Sawyer, NJ. ID, on
topic which possesses a deep interest for
all psychologists and for most other folks
as WE'LL mean that of sleep and sleep
1essness Tho average mortal scarcely
comprehends how little we really know
about the exact nature OF the Ape Of
Death as Shakespeare terms that state
wherein we pass peacefully into the
Land of Nod IL is not only the cause of
sleep which constitutes a scientific pux-
xle; the cure Of sleeplessness Is another
matter which doubles a difficulty that be-
fore was single. There is no doubt that q
sleeping brain receives less blood than a
waking one. Durhams observations set
tied that point long ago. and subsequent
observers Inclined TO this idea that they
had explained what sleep is when they
had asserted the anaemic state OF the
brain as Its real cause. But IL il obvious
that while our brain increases its blood
supply waen We wake. as conversely Il
diminishes that supply when we go 60
sleep, these facts do not lead us 10 the
vera causa at ALL They are conditions
merely and not causes. The movements OF
n door are not 10 be explained by saving
that II moves on its hinges. What we de-
Eire TO know is what sets ,he door In mo-
lion OF the brains blood supply we have
TO face that of the brains constitution.
1T Is only by dipping into the brains
structure that we are able TO gain some
adequate idea regarding the real condi-
lions that regulate the opening and the
shutting OF the mental door.
when brain cells are carefully studied
In their different phases OF activity and
repose they are seen 10 undergo certain
remarkable changes I'm shape. The pro-
cesses or branches through which con-
tact Is made between one cell and an
other are seen 10 be retracted in the rest
ing state. while in activity they are ex-
tended. However the changes I'm ques-
tion are brought about we may conclude
that IL is the switching OF Of the brain
cells from each other and the breaking
off the contracts necessary for the carry
ing on or rhefr work which represent the
true cause OF sleep. Fatigue OF the brain
cell Is thus the dominant note OF repose
and the mechanism whereby that ropose
s. secured is seen at work In the retrac-
'tion of their branches. tt IL all just like
. telephone exchange IN this respect.
where we find contacts made and broken
continually In the active work of the
centre. At night the connections arc prac-
tically severed. and such may be made
in the case OF the brain exchange carry
Ing on the work of dreaming. they repre-
sent the work OF the night shift OF the
brain. III this view of sleep he correct we
see more clearly than ever that our rest
ing period must represent a habit, just
~ sleeplessness i'm its essence Is a habit
sf another Kind. We break into the cycle
of sleep when we suffer from Insomnia
and substitute another habit for that OF
repose. What our doctors do for us Is 10
negative the vicious habit by replacing
that Of sleep. but hic labor. hoe opus est.
With Sancho Panza in truth. we may
well agree when he exclainis: God bless
ahc man that fret invented sleep