An inaugural dissertation on sleep and dreams; their effects on the faculties of the mind, and the causes of dreams. Submitted to the examination... (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] beoordelingen het boek quotes

""SLEEP, without dreaming," says Mr. Locke, is rest from all study* of the mind and operation of the animal functions of the body. In "sleep", when "quite complete," says Dr. Cullen, the motion and mobility of the nervous power, with respect to the whole of what are called the animal functions, entirely cease; or, as I would express it, are in a state of collapse, and are very different from the state of waking, which, in healthy persons, I would call a state of general and entire excitement. That there is a certain degree of excitement, necessarily existing in the animal system, to constitute perfect and uninterrupted health, is agreed on by all. There must also be, I conceive, a certain point, or degree, of excitement, different from the foregoing, favouring profound sleep, which is produced by certain powers operating on the living property inherent in every animal. This property has received different names, from different authors. It is called by Baron Haller the vis insita; by Dr. Cullen, the