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1.—German Retrospect

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Extract

The State of the Eye During Sleep.—Dr. W. Sander (“Archiv,” ix. Band, 1 Heft), observes that with some care and practice the eye may be opened during sleep, and its condition examined. The view commonly given in the text books is that during sleep the eyeballs are turned inwards and upwards. This, I think, was first taught by Sir Charles Bell. According to Sander's experiments, the eyes are in a middle position, the axes parallel to one another, as when looking at a far object. In falling asleep, the eyeballs are converged and turned upwards, and the same thing takes place when the sleep is disturbed through raising of the lids. We then can see the eyes slowly moving upwards and inwards, as if to avoid the light, and seek protection from the covering eyelids. It is this condition which has been mistaken for the permanent one during disturbed sleep. Divergent positions of the eyes were seldom observed, and Dr. Sander is inclined to regard them as the result of disease, or deep stupor.

Type
Part III.—Psychological Retrospect
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1879 

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