Sleep and its phenomena. An essay / [James N. Pinkerton].

  • Pinkerton, James N.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sleep and its phenomena. An essay / [James N. Pinkerton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    stood not in need of rest, would always live in day-light. An animal, which though made for action, and delighting in action, must have its strength repaired by sleep, meets by its con¬ stitution, the returns of day and night. In the human species, for instance, were the bustle, the labour, the motion of life upheld by the con¬ stant presence of light, sleep could not be en¬ joyed without being disturbed by noise, and without expense of that time which the eager¬ ness of private interest would not contentedly resign. It is happy, therefore, for this part of the creation, I mean that it is conformable to the frame and wants of their constitution, that nature, by the very disposition of her elements, has commanded, as it were, and imposed upon them, at moderate intervals, a general inter¬ mission of their toils, their occupations and pursuits.’’ The approach of night is accom¬ panied by a darkness, a cessation of activity and universal silence, which allow of sleep being