A monograph on sleep and dream: their physiology and psychology — John Shaqi
A monograph on sleep and dream: their physiology and psychologyCox, Edward W. (Edward William)
Science
A monograph on sleep and dream: their physiology and psychology
Cox, Edward W. (Edward William)
Dreams; Sleep
CHAPTER III.
THE MENTAL CONDITION OF SLEEP 8
CHAPTER IV.
THE SEAT OF SLEEP 12
CHAPTER V.
OF DREAM 17
CHAPTER VI.
THE MATERIAL MECHANISM OF DREAM 21
CHAPTER VII.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAM 42
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PHENOMENA OF DREAM 51
CHAPTER IX.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DREAM 72
CHAPTER X.
FALLACIES OF DREAM 76
CHAPTER XI.
CONCLUSIONS 88
SLEEP AND DREAM: THEIR PHYSIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY.
CHAPTER I.
WHAT SLEEP IS.
Sleep is necessary to the health of the human organism. The Mechanism of
Man depends for its sustainment and reparation upon recurring seasons of
rest.
The condition of sleep is probably a requirement of organic structure.
So far as we can trace it, all animal life sleeps. There is almost
conclusive evidence that vegetable life sleeps also.
In this respect organic structure differs from inorganic structure.
Minerals do not sleep. Only things that have _life_ sleep. Wheresoever
life is there is probably (it is not _proved_) a conscious individuality
that “goes to sleep.” As sleep seems, so far as we can trace it, to be an
attendant upon consciousness, a requirement, in fact, of nerve structure,
the sleep of vegetable life would appear to indicate the presence of
consciousness.
But sleep is not a suspension of vital action. The processes conducted
by the vital force continue their work in sleep often more vigorously.
The intelligence, also, is not wholly suspended in sleep. The functions
of nutrition are performed even more perfectly than in the waking state.
Rest appears to be required mainly for the muscular structure and for the
nerve system that moves the muscles. The senses are often wholly, always
partially, sealed in sleep. But it is doubtful if this be the result of a
requirement for rest by the senses. The more probable inference is that
the suspension of the senses is necessary to the suspension of muscular
action.
Sleep, therefore, may be defined in general terms as the suspension,
more or less perfect, of the action of the external senses, so that they
cease to convey vividly to the mind the impressions made upon them. The
action of the Will is likewise suspended, so that it ceases to convey
the commands of the mind to the body. Thus is the rest procured that is
required for the body.
The entire mechanism of the body and mind does not sleep, but only a
part of it. In sleep the _body_ performs all functions necessary for its
continued healthy being. The _mind_ dreams. The consciousness of the
Individual Self is awake, for we note our dreams as they occur, believe
that we are acting them and remember them afterwards.
CHAPTER II.
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF SLEEP.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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