152 GERMINATION 



is true for many other organs in addition to the central 

 nervous system ; sleep is a time of repose for them also, 

 but the amount of rest varies ; the voluntary muscles, 

 except those concerned in breathing, will rest most, but the 

 heart continues to beat, the urine is still being secreted, 

 the processes of digestion go on, so that for such organs 

 activity is only diminished." 



All this is in perfect harmony with the theory I have 

 advanced. If, as I claim, body functions are called in 

 operation by neuro-electricity generated in the lungs by the 

 combination oxy-hsemoglobin it follows that the blood is 

 the carrier of energy, that by reason of its greater blood 

 supply the brain is the seat of highest potential and that 

 its cells possess electrostatic capacity, or they could not send 

 out impulses. 



Now, the oxygen intake of man during the daytime is 

 400 cc. per minute (negative oxygen) ; the positive substance, 

 the iron, is partly consumed in the process of generation. 

 At night the oxygen intake is exactly halved so that genera- 

 tion of neuro-electricity is also halved and the brain cells 

 are not charged to the same potential. Body processes 

 go on because there is not a cessation but only a diminution 

 of energy — supply. Rest is, of course, imperative. Fatigue 

 always interferes with the generation of nerve force ; and 

 mental fatigue to such an extent that if the normal hand 

 to hand deflection of a healthy man is 400 mm. upon the 

 scale of the galvanometer at 10 a.m., it may fall to 20 mm. 

 after a long and anxious day's work. 



As regards the heart, I have explained elsewhere that if 

 generation is halved so also is inhibition. 



Sleep is, of course, as Halliburton says, " the period of 

 anabolism, repair and growth." 



There are two conditions to which my attention has-been 

 specially directed. Those are (1) somnolency after a heavy 

 meal, and (2) the effect of stimulants, with especial reference 

 to alcohol. 



A full measure of consciousness, of mental activity is, in 

 my view, dependent upon the maintenance of brain potential 

 at its maximum. 



