THE SPEED OF THOUGHT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 28 July 1893, Page 31

THE SPEED OF THOUGHT.

In ita origin the expression •• Quick as thought " no doubt referred to the lightning-like transfer of the attention from one person or locality to another far removed. There is, however, no comparison between the subjective act of thinking and the objective distance thought of. Looked at scientifically, the speed of thought can only be considered as the speed with which the nerve-impulse travels along the nervetrack of the brain and there registers its impression. This has been very accurately measured, and if found to" vary, according to the sensibility and education of the person tested, from 120 to 200 per second. Herr Donders, of Utrecht, has devised a most ingenious apparatus for registering the thought-speeds of various subjects, and according to his results it takes an average person l-20th of a second to see a wftite light, 1-lO.h to see a picture, 1 -Bth to see a letttr l-13th to judge between the blue and the red, I.9th to recall a word seen in print, l-6th to remember the name of a picture, and l-4th to bring up before the " minds-eye " a letter lately seen or mentioned. Ut course these are only the most mechanical operations of the intel. Ject and senses oembined. Above these ie the mind proper, whose mysterious workings can neither be measured nor stated in any terms known to mechanical science. Does it not strike the most casual observer that wiih an organism capable of such rapid action mast be very susceptible to complication. This may be of various forms, the human body is the most elaborate machine in existence , and the various parts are liable to diseases of various kinds. The Bymptoma are too well known to Deed numeration here. We need only mention a few such as sour s'omach or indigestion, palpitation, diarrhoea, sluggish liver, and so, for all of which Clements' Tonic is an absolute safe and quick cure, as proved by Mrs Wilson, Tines Office, Bulli, N.S.W., who writes : — I have much pleasure in adding mine to the many undoubted testimonies of the value of Clements' Tonic. I have been a long sufferer from weakness and uervous debility, often unable to perform some light household duties, and becoming quite prostrated at times. Resort to medical prescriptions has scarcely ever made any permanent improvement in the state of my health. At laft I was induced to try Clements' Tonic, and incredible as it may seem, one bottle produced a marvellous change— appetite restored, digestion improved, sick headaches and low-spiritedness altogether removed , I have given it more than one trial, and in future shall not be without it or fail to recommend it to my friends.— (Signed) 8. A. Wilson. Tunes Office, Bulli, N.B.W.