THE INNER FEELING 341 



going : it is that the inner feeUng may be suspended either entirely 

 or in part. 



During sleep, for instance, the feeling is suspended or nearly so ; 

 the free part of the nervous fluid is in a kind of repose, and no longer 

 undergoes a general agitation ; nor does the individual any longer 

 enjoy his feeling of existence. The system of sensations is not exercised, 

 and none of the actions dependent on the individual are carried out ; 

 the muscles necessary for their production are no longer excited, 

 but fall into a kind of relaxation. 



If sleep is imperfect, and if there exists some cause of irritation 

 which agitates the free part of the nervous fluid, particularly that in 

 the cerebral hemispheres, the inner feeling (being suspended) no longer 

 directs the movements of the fluid in the nerves, and the individual 

 is then abandoned to dreams, that is, to involuntary recurrences of his 

 ideas following one another in characteristic disorder and confusion. 



In the waking state, the functions of the inner feeling may be 

 greatly disturbed either by too strong an emotion which cuts off the 

 nervous fluid as it flows towards the involuntary muscles, or by some 

 deep irritation affecting chiefly the fluid of the brain. It then ceases 

 to direct the movements of the nervous fluid ; syncope supervenes 

 if the trouble comes from a strong emotion, or delirium if it is caused 

 by severe irritation or some act of lunacy, etc., etc. 



In accordance with the above principles, it seems to me obvious 

 that the inner feeling is the only factor that produces actions in man 

 and such animals as possess it ; that this feehng only works when 

 prompted by its emotions ; that it is moved sometimes by acts of 

 intelligence, sometimes by a need or sensation acting suddenly upon 

 it ; that in men, its weak emotions may be controlled since in- 

 telligence is highly developed, but that in animals this can only be 

 done with great difficulty and never in those that lack intelligence ; 

 that its functions are suspended during sleep, and that then it no longer 

 directs the movements of the free part of the nervous fluid ; that its 

 functions may also be interrupted and disturbed during the waking 

 state ; finally, that it is the product, on the one hand, of the individual's 

 feeling of existence, and, on the other hand, of the harmony in the 

 parts of the nervous system, as a result of which the free portions of 

 the subtle nervous fluid are all in communication and capable of under- 

 going a general agitation. 



On the same principles, it also appears to me obvious that moral 

 sensibility only differs from physical sensibihty, in that the former 

 results exclusively from emotions prompted by acts of the intelligence ; 

 while the latter is produced only by emotions aroused by sensations 

 and the needs which they evoke. 



