802 Dynamic Theory. 



with the memories of others, but exercise an unlimited and consequently 

 undue influence, and produce eccentric acts and distorted ideas. The 

 actions are more directly reflex than in the ordinary state. 



In somnambulism the actions and thoughts are not connected with 

 those of the waking state by memory, and after a person is roused 

 from this state he remembers nothing of what has taken place. But 

 upon entering the state a second time, it appears that in many cases, at 

 least, the actions which took place during the continuance of the first 

 occasion are remembered and form a new state of consciousness separate 

 from the waking one. 



' ' A young lady was formerly known to the writer " (Carpenter) 1 1 who, 

 when at school, frequently began to talk after having been asleep an 

 hour or two. Her ideas almost always ran upon the events of the pre- 

 vious day, and if encouraged by leading questions addressed to her she 

 would give a very distinct and coherent account of them, frequently dis- 

 closing her own peccadillos and those of her school fellows and ex- 

 pressing great penitence for the former whilst she seemed to hesitate 

 about making known the latter." In ordinary sleep she could be 

 wakened by a loud noise but not when she was in the sleep-talking state. 

 If she were addressed on matters foreign to the present subject, she 

 paid no attention to them, but could be gradually led from one subject 

 to another by adroit leading questions. Sometimes, generally in fact, 

 the attention of the somnambulist is fixed so exclusively upon the ideas 

 automatically formed in his own internal sense organs that his train of 

 thought is not disturbed by external impressions, so that he may not be 

 conscious of anything said to him. If, however, something is said 

 which is in the line of his thoughts, it may have an influence in form- 

 ing and modifying the train of thought, and a bystander may thus, by 

 timely suggestions and leading questions and remarks, give direction to 

 the sleeper's flow of ideas. But if the external impressions are of a 

 nature foreign to the subject of the thoughts of the sleeper or of his 

 dominant idea, they are lost and no attention is paid to them. Re- 

 markable performances are related of somnambulists who have fallen 

 into the state while under the influence of a strong dominant idea. 

 Sometimes upon waking, no recollection whatever of the thoughts 

 or actions which took place during the sleep remain, but more commonly 

 there is a recollection of the occurrences as if they were dreams. 

 ' ' The first degree of somnambulism generally shows itself by a pro- 

 pensity to talk during sleep; the person giving a full and connected ac- 

 count Of what passes before him in dreams, and often revealing his own 

 secrets or those of friends. Walking during sleep is the next degree 

 and that from which the affection derives its name. The individual gets 

 out of bed; dresses himself; if not prevented goes out of doors, 



