Phenomena of Sleep.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 4, 24 January 1907, Page 35

Phenomena of Sleep.

Shakespeare called sleep the ape of d"eath That is - a striking name for a striking thing. Sieepis a wonderland There is no torture equal 'to that " which the deprivation of sleep entails. The most ingenious of torturers place the deprivation of- sleep at the head of their torture list. Sleep is a state- of rest The heart rests in sleep. The. heart, is a - rhythmetic muscle not one that never reposes, tout one that works at short shifts, like a puddler, a moment on r a moment off. 'When we sleep, the heart's shifts of rest are redoubled. It works then, one on, two off" getting, indeed, pretty nearly as much repose "as 'we do. The brain, in. sleep becomes pale, and sinks below the level of the skull. When we are awake I*ie brain is high, and full and ruddy. Not' only the brain and heart, but even the tear- glands rest in sleep l hat is why, when we awake, we always rub our eyesIhe rubbing is an instinctive action that stimulates" the stagnant tear glands and causes- them to moisten properly our eyes, all .dried from inaction.