802 OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



profound humility then takes its place. So, again, if the angles of the mouth 

 be gently separated from one another, as in laughter, a hilarious disposition is 

 immediately generated ; and this may be made to give place to moroseness, by 

 drawing the eyebrows towards each other and downwards upon the nose, as in 

 frowning. 1 So, again, if the hand be raised above the head, and the fingers be 

 flexed upon the palm, the idea of climbing, swinging, or pulling at a rope is 

 called up in such as have been used to this kind of exertion ; if, on the other 

 hand, the fingers be flexed when the arm is hanging down at the side, the idea 

 suggested is that of lifting a weight ; and if the same flexure be made when 

 the arm is advanced forwards in the position of striking a blow, the idea of 

 fighting is at once aroused, and the Somnambulist is very apt to put it into 

 immediate execution. 2 



828. The state of Dreaming presents us with another series of phenomena, 

 which fall under the same general category with the preceding. In fact, 

 between Dreaming and Somnambulism there is every stage of gradation j for 

 that form of Somnambulism in which the actions are expressive of ideas that 

 arise spontaneously within the mind, instead of being prompted by external 

 suggestions, may be designated as an acted dream ; whilst, on the other hand, 

 there are states of Dreaming, in which the bystander is able in greater or less 

 degree to trace the current of thought and feeling, by the words occasionally 

 uttered, or by the play of the countenance of the sleeper. Instances might be 

 cited, which it would be very difficult to assign to either one of these conditions, 

 so completely do they partake of the character of both ; as for example, the 

 well-known case of the officer who amused his friends by acting his dreams dur- 

 ing the expedition to Louisburgh, the course of these dreams being capable of 

 direction by whispering into the sleeper's ear, especially if this was done by a 

 friend with whose voice he was familiar. 3 It is usually considered to be a dis- 

 tinction between Dreaming and Somnambulism, that the senses are in complete 

 abeyance in the former state, while they are more or less capable of action in 

 the latter. But we have seen that the sensibility to external impressions may 

 be partially or even completely suspended in Somnambulism whilst, on the 

 other hand, it may exist to a slight extent in Dreaming, as in the instance just 

 quoted. And it is quite certain that even where sensations are not recognized 

 by the mind as proceeding from external objects, they may affect the course of 

 its own thoughts ; so that the character of the dreams may be in some degree 

 predetermined by such an arrangement of sensory impressions as is likely to 

 modify them. This is especially the case in regard to the dreamy state induced 



1 The author has not only repeatedly witnessed all these effects, as produced by Mr. 

 Braid upon " hypnotized" subjects, of whom several had never been previously in that 

 condition, and had no idea whatever of what was expected from them ; but he has been 

 assured by a most intelligent medical friend, who has paid special attention to the psycho- 

 logical part of this inquiry, that, having subjected himself to Mr. Braid's practice, and 

 having been only partially thrown into the "hypnotic" state, he distinctly remembers 

 everything that was done, and can retrace the uncontrollable effect upon his emotional state, 

 which was produced by this management of his muscular apparatus. 



2 On one occasion on which the author witnessed this result, a violent blow was struck, 

 which chanced to alight upon a second somnambulist within reach ; his combativeness 

 being thereby excited, the two closed, and began to belabor one another with such energy, 

 that they were with difficulty separated. Although their passions were at the moment so 

 strongly excited, that even when separated they continued to utter furious denunciations 

 against each other, yet a little discreet manipulation of their muscles soon calmed them 

 and restored them to perfect good-humor. 



3 This case is detailed by Dr. Abercrombie ("Inquiries concerning the Intellectual 

 Powers," 5th ed., p. 277), on the authority of Dr. Gregory, to whom it was related by a 

 gentleman who witnessed it. A case of a very similar nature, the subject of which 

 was a medical student at Edinburgh, is related in Suiellie's "Philosophy of Natural 

 History." 



