New-York tribune., 1918-05-05
A Physiological Curiosity

When travelling in railway car and
mot looking through the window one
has the impression that the train is
moving in an opposite direction.
This is due to sensorial error. The
skin, which is the principal seat of the
sense OF touch, receives the vibrations
transmitted to it by the motion of the
car, and in its turn communicates them
BY an uninterrupted series of kilograms
over the centripetal nerves to the
brain. This organ interprets them, ac-
eording to the acquired habit, in quite
On automatic manner. 1t has for these
Impressions a point of localization
which, accustomed to receive them con-
nnrously, has become, as it were,
lind OF Office department., functioning
soa certain point, quite independently,
without giving account to the chief Of
the Office ii. e., consciousness), who has
other things to do than busy himself
With this continuous and monotonous
work.
As the impressions to be recorded are
numerous, but little varied, that de-
partment, like all analogous Offices,
neeessitates certain routine to facil-
nate the work. 1t knows a few for
muias, according to which it classifies
she received messages under the cor
nsponding heading. Now, it sometimes
aappens that these messages, on ac-
count OF the inexperience of the sender,
sfrlve quite disfgured. They are then
Nongly interpreted and entered under
heading not corresponding to them.
ihls happens in the case we are study
ins
The skin, in contact with the vehicle,
receives the vibrations Of the motion.
10y s all at once, but successfully in itS
,slaerent nerve Examinations. Of the
M'ter there are great number; but
~ order to simplify our illustration
sao render it more comprehensive, we'll
sohsider but two, which we designate
y 'ne numbers first and second. Their
sensations will then arrive at the
nerve centre in this order: First
- r,sseond, first-second, frst-second, etc.
suaaese, on being recorded, inform us of
ae motion OF the car and the direction
= which 1t proceeds. 1t happens, how
s.sl, tnat sometimes, owing to the same
PRESSURE Of the body or to trepida-
,vn, OF other causes, some tactile cor.
suscies, grown lazy, fatigued, transmit
;ssa ~ slower, so that their messages ar
AZ ns ister, though sent earlier than
'po'cheO ny the more actlvo
s'1puscies. AS a result, the order of
.ssspsion ~ in the Central station" be-
ssmes ss inverted, SO that the latter per-
ss sses them in the order second-first,
s' uss'sono-hrst, second-frst, etc, and in
- ~ automatic routine classifies them
sass saoer the opposite headings, being in
,ssmed rs.a. and convinced that the car
fc.. f.ss IN different direction than be-
ss.s;, .s.s; until analogous causes again re-
,soiish the real order of the facts.
.as ~ . rule, we recur to some other
ths th'S lor verifcatior. Some detail in
nn;.! !iAndscape or glance at a fixed
IN. r. outside of the car will indicate
ss. s srue direction, and our conscious
Sss, Sss van Immediately accept the in
,s.mailon ,s.a given by the sight, not be-
t;aas s.e it believes this sense more vera
49,. .nan the others, but because be-
az ~ ~ tne two references the latter is
! i si.ss .ssGssnIormity with our intellectual con-
a.. sti0h. This conviction is SO certain
III. on other occasions the sense Of
sss.. y disregarded and we rely on the
ss.ss OF touch. Thus, il our train hap
~ 70 run between two others that
a. ~ standstili, or il one of the
49, s1arts running, our eyes almost
~ deceive US, and we consult our
suu accept their testimony,