SLEEP BY ELECTRICITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12754, 25 September 1919, Page 6

SLEEP BY ELECTRICITY.

Many and canons have been the methods employed to induce sleep in all ages. Even from the primitive pillow stuffed with tho narcotic-leaf to the more modern one advocated by a wellknown Swedish doctor—of getting between the blankets dripping from a cold bath. But perhaps none is Go extraordinary as that recently invented by an eminent German doctor and scientist. By his system it is possible to switch sleep “off ’’ and “on,” precisely as one manipulates the electric light. Thus it is by electricity that the doctor is_ able to promise sleep to the most inveterate of insomnia victims. By means of a small electrically-worked machine, he applies the current to tie base of the skull, which produces a “deadening” effect on tho nerves. This state can be kept up for as long a period as desired. Up to the present experiments have been practically confined to animals; but, as it was fonnd they could be brought to full consciousness within a minute or two, it is believed the invention can have no evil effect on hnmans.