ARTIFICIAL SOMNAMBULISM. 185 



On the other hand, repeated experiments convinced 

 Czermak that the pressure on the animal as it is held is of 

 primary importance. It is frequently the case, he says, that a 

 hen, which for a minute has been in a motionless state, 

 caused by simply extending the neck and depressing the head, 

 awakes and flies away, but on being caught again immedi- 

 ately, she can be placed once more in the condition of 

 lethargy, if we place the animal in a squatting position, and 

 overcome with gentle force the resistance of the muscles, 

 by firmly placing the hand upon its back. During the slow 

 and measured suppression, one often perceives an extremely 

 remarkable position of the head and neck, which are left 

 entirely free. The head remains as if held by an invisible 

 h.md in its proper place, the neck being stretched out of 

 proportion, while the body by degrees is pushed down- 

 wards. If the animal is thus left entirely free, it remains 

 for a minute or so in this peculiar condition with wide-open 

 staring eyes. * Here,' as Czermak remarks, ' the actual cir- 

 cumstances are only the effect of the emotion which the 

 nerves of the skin excite, and the gentle force which over- 

 comes the animal's resistance. Certainly the creature a 

 short time before had been in a condition of immobility, 

 and might have retained some special inclination to fall 

 back into the same, although the awakening, flight, and re- 

 capture, together with the refreshment given to the nervous 

 system, are intermediate circumstances.' Similar experi- 

 ments are best made upon small birds. Now, it is well 

 known to bird fanciers that goldfinches, canary-birds, &c. 

 can be made to remain motionless for some time by simply 

 holding them firmly for a moment and then letting them go. 

 * Here, in my hand,' said Czermak, in* his lecture, * is a 

 timid bird, just brought from market. If I place it on its 

 back, and hold its head with my left hand, keeping it still 

 for a few seconds, it will lie perfectly motionless after I have 

 removed my hands, as if charmed, breathing heavily, and 

 without making any attempt to change its position or to fly 

 away.' ( ' Two of the birds,' says the report, ' were treated 



