THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SLEEP

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 66, 24 January 1918, Page 3

THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SLEEP

Although during sleep the operation* of the senses are entirely suspended as regards the effect of ordinary impressions, the purely animal functions of the body continue in action. The heart beats and lungs respire, the stomach digests, the skin exhales vapour and the kidneys secrete urine. With the brain, however, the case is somewhat different, for while some parts retain the property of receiving impressions or developing ideas, others have their actions diminished, exalted, perverted, or altogether arrested. Relative to the different facilities of the mind as affected by sleep, great variations aro observed. It has been supposed that several of them are exalted above the standard attained during wakefulness. Many remarkable stories are related, showing the high degree of activity possessed by the mind during sleep. Thus it is related of Tartini, a celebrated musician of the 18th century, that one night he dreamt that ho had made a compact with tho devil, and bound him to his service. In order to ascertain tho musical abilities of his surbordinate, ho gavo him hi* violin, and commanded him to play a solo. The devil did so, and performed so admirably that Tartini awoke with the excitement produced, and seizing his violin, endeavoured to repeat the onchanting air. Although he was unable to do tlxis with entire success, his efforts were so effectual that he composed one of the most admired of his pieces, which, in recognition of its source, he called the “Devil's Sonata.”