378 PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH. 



imaginary world, surround themselves with a train of circum- 

 stances from which unpleasant things shall be excluded, and 

 nothing but the agreeable be near them. In such a world, 

 they determine what they would do and say, what principles 

 should govern them, and what impressions they would make 

 upon their associates. Thus they revel in this delightful 

 revery, where all is beautiful and satisfactory. 



878. This habit of revery grows more easy and inviting, 

 so that the mind insensibly falls into it when not otherwise 

 occupied. Then the will loses its power to exclude it, and 

 direct the thoughts to the mixed realities of life, until, at last, 

 the dreaming becomes irresistible, and the dreamer can no 

 longer control his wandering mind, nor see things as they 

 are. For a period, perhaps for years, he governs his 

 imagination in presence of others, and conceals his dreams 

 from the world. But the habit grows stronger, and finall), 

 regarding neither men nor circumstances, it will speak out; 

 and when the dreamer talks as he thinks, and uses strange 

 language, and perhaps exhibits strange conduct, he is ac- 

 knowledged insane. 



879. When the mind has been strongly excited, the law 

 of continuance prevents its immediate return to rest, and we 

 think of those matters that intensely interested us, after the 

 time of their action has passed away. We cannot dismiss 

 immediately strong sensations, and feelings, and thoughts; 

 and, if they were violent, they may remain for a long period. 

 The agitation of fright continues after the cause is removed. 

 As blindness, partial or total, may arise from the glare of 

 intense light, so the mind, when confused with terror, or dis- 

 turbed with powerful irritation, may not recover its clear- 

 ness and self-control, but remain disordered. 



880. Men under the excitement of passion lose their self- 

 control, and perform acts, and give utterance to language, 

 which, in their calm moments, they would not willingly al- 

 low in themselves. If these passionate excitements are not 

 checked, they gain more and more power to subdue the will, 

 while the resolution to resist grows weaker. Gradually, the 



