| The secrets of sleep were a mystery for
centuries simply because there was neither the means{{U}} (51)
{{/U}}them, nor the need. Only when candles gave way{{U}} (52)
{{/U}}gaslight, and gas to electricity, when man became able to{{U}}
(53) {{/U}}night into day, and double his output by working shifts
round the clock, did people seriously start wondering{{U}} (54)
{{/U}}sleep could possibly be a waste of time. Our ability to switch night
into day is very recent, and it is {{U}}(55) {{/U}}if we will ever{{U}}
(56) {{/U}}want, or be able to give up our habit of{{U}} (57)
{{/U}}a good night's sleep.{{U}} (58) {{/U}}, a remarkable research
project in London has already discovered a few people who actually enjoy
insomnia. Even chronic insomniacs often get hours more sleep.{{U}} (59)
{{/U}}they think. But, by placing electric contact{{U}} (60)
{{/U}}the eyes and on the head, it is possible to check their complaint by
studying the tiny currents we generate which{{U}} (61) {{/U}}the
different brainwaves of sleep and{{U}} (62) {{/U}}. This has shown that
for some people seven or eight hours sleep a night are quite
unnecessary. {{U}} (63) {{/U}}recent work has shown that{{U}} (64) {{/U}}sleep is bad for you, so that if you are fortunate enough to be born with a body which needs only a small{{U}} (65) {{/U}}of sleep, you may well be healthier and happier than someone who sleeps longer. |