The text describes how a person, whether sitting or standing, can experience a slackening of spirits, leading to nodding off or losing their balance. This physical reaction is linked to the delay or disruption of these internal energies, which are compared metaphorically to spirits travelling through the body's nerves and muscles. The text humorously discusses the potential consequences and remedies such as rocking both children and adults to induce or maintain sleep.
The Human Figures, etc.
When the spirits within a seated sleeper escape too much, or are no longer strong enough to hold him upright, it often happens that a sleeper starts nodding off. Similarly, a person who leans to one side like a sagging owl is often seen staggering around; in such cases, it appears as though our legs, which bear the weight of the whole body, give out first. We've often laughed at a certain man who, while standing in a full church, was caught by sleep by the nose; who, after much stumbling and grabbing at his cap, woke up as if there was a general commotion. This is due to the delay of the spirits, causing sitters to have slack necks, and their heads to suddenly fall in different directions; and sometimes so violently or for so long that the neck vertebrae crack, waking the person; and it is felt painfully for a long time after. Sometimes one almost has reason to say: Hold the person's head steady, it will fall into the fire.
When spirits are prevented by some external movement or shaking from following their natural course through the channels of the nerves into the muscles and solid parts, they not only delay in their flight, but the person becomes sluggish, lethargic, and sleepy. Therefore, children are gently rocked, shaken, and lulled to sleep. Indeed, even older people can be rocked to sleep in a wagon.
Translation Notes
- 'Knikkebollende' refers to nodding off or dozing.
- 'Vertraging der Geesten' describes the concept of the spirits' delay, likely referring metaphorically to internal energy or life force.