p. 14 | Electric Sleep

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1907

Electric Sleep

“A PARIS physician describes what he calls ‘electric sleep,’ caused by passing a peculiar interrupted electric current through the brain. In the animals experimented on, the unconsciousness and insensibility appeared as profound as that produced by chloroform; but as soon as the current ceased, the animals opened their eyes, and seemed as lively as ever, manifesting no ill effects whatever; and they did not seem to fear the operation, even after it had been performed on them a number of times. Even when the condition of sleep was kept up for several hours at a time, the action of the heart and lungs was normal. The doctor has had the current turned through his own brain twice, confirming the animal experiments. When the current had been turned on to the maximum, he was still dimly conscious, and he had a faint sensation of touch. When he came to, immediately after the cessation of the current, the only effect was a feeling of increased vigor, and he was able to go on with his lecture without apparent inconvenience.”