Year: 1873

to come early, and reform, whose value
Is not to be measured by its seeming trivi-
ality, would be accomplished at once"
The argument, like the suggestion, is
good. And we join the Times IN the hope
that the reform movement will meet with
success. When Young wrote the musi-
cal line, "Tired natures sweet restorer,
balmy Sleep" he gave expression to q
fact which many of us are prone to value
somewhat lightly. We do not Justly ap-
preciate the rejuvenating qualities Of
slumber, or reflect that without regular
sleep the evidences of decay will be clear
ly made manifest in the face. Science
has demonstrated that during sleep the
brain is in comparatively bloodless con-
dition. Great loss of blood produces or
rather predisposes to slumber; and heat
is conducive to sleepiness, for the
reason that it draws the blood to
the extremities and to the surface of tho
body, thus diminishing the brain supply.
When we have eaten hearty dinner, an
inclination to sleep steals over US because,
In order to grapple with the first stage of
digestion, large supply of blood is
drawn to the stomach. Monotonous
sounds tire out the brain and lead to
drowsiness; while everything productive
OF mental excitement banishes sleep, for
the reason that the activity of the brain
causes strong rush of blood to that
organ. What we term sleep is the rest of
the brain, and nature calls for this rest
IN order that the organ may receive nu-
triton. According to Mr.. G. III. Moore


the brain is rendered bloodless during
sleep by the contraction of the arteries
which convey the vital fluid to it. The
ne rpn nvx-hi ioh 1f
the arteries of the neck proceed from the
sympathetic system. Chambers Journal
explains: "Mr. Moore's theory is, that
while the primary force of the ganglia
tends always to contract the arteries,
their power is kept in abeyance while
the brain is in a state of activity, by its
exercising over them an over-mastering
force. But when the brain becomes ia
tigued, this inhibitory force is first di-
minished and then ceases, and as the
ganglia are liberated from control, they
begin to put forth their native power
over the muscular holes Of the arteries,
with the almost immediate effect of di-
minishing the flow of blood to the
brain, and locking up that Or
gan in sleep. Before perfect sleep super,
venes, however, there is occasionally a
struggle for empire; the brain resumes by
snatches temporary sway over the gan.
glia, until it is no longer able to continue
the conflict. During sleep the brain
throws off the unremoved effete matter
which had latterly clogged its operations,
and given rise to the feeling of weari


ness, premonitory of slumber, and it as
similates new material for the repair OF
its own substance. When thus invigo
rated, tits in position to reassert its power
over the ganglia; its arteries, liberated
from the contractile force, expand to theil
usual dimensions, and the flow of the vita


fluid to the brain restores the physica
conditions of that organs activity
This explanation makes plain to us tht
mysterious phenomenon of sleep, and th'
more we investigate sleep the more W,
are impressed with the fact that it Ia


the power to preserve health and beauty
and to give us greater longevity. Whe1
society fixes upon plan calculated tt
keep the brain nervously active, it does
that which is largely injurious to the hu
man race. There is too much excitement


in the ways of modern civilization. Civ
the BRAIN more opportunity to rest, and 81
many haggard faces will not gather aroun(
US as now.-Iurf, Field and Farm.