The Principles of Ethics: In Two Volumes

3. Rest

Ethics_V1_501-550.indd 525 1/16/12 9:29 AM CHAPTER 3 Rest 205. Though the ethically enjoined limitation of lifesustaining activities, specified towards the close of the last chapter, apparently implies that rest is ethically enjoined , and in a large measure does so, yet this corollary must be definitely stated and enlarged on for ·several reasons. The first is that there are various activities, not of a lifesustaining kind, which may be entered on when the activities devoted to sustentation of life are ended; and hence the conclusion drawn in the last chapter does not involve insistence upon absolute rest. Further, we have to observe the several kinds of rest, which, if not complete, are approximately so; and the need for each of these kinds must be pointed out. Something has to be said under each of the several headsrest at intervals during work; nightly rest; rest of a day after a series of days; and occasional long rest at long intervals. 206. Rhythm, shown throughout the organic functions as elsewhere, has for its concomitant tile alternation of waste and repair. Every contraction of the heart, every inflation of the lungs, is followed by a momentary relaxation of the muscles employed. In the process of alimentation, we have 525 Ethics_V1_501-550.indd 526 1/16/12 9:29 AM 526 The Ethics of Individual Life the short rhythms constituting the peristaltic motion, compounded with the longer rhythms implied by the periodicity of meals. Far deeper, indeed, than at first appears, is the conformity to this law; for some organic actions which appear continuous are in truth discontinuous. A muscle which maintains for a time a persistent contraction, and seems in a uniform state, is made up of multitudinous units which are severally alternating between action and rest-these relaxing while those are contracting; and so keeping up a constant strain of the whole muscle by the inconstant strains of its competent fibres. The law thus displayed in each organ and part of an organ, from moment to moment, is displayed throughout the longer and larger cooperations of parts. Combined muscular strains which tax the powers of the system in any considerable degree , cannot with impunity be continually repeated without cessation, even during the period devoted to activity. Waste in such cases overruns repair to a considerable extent, and makes needful a cessation during which arrears may be in some measure made up--an interval for "taking breath," as the expression is. Long unbroken persistence, even in moderate efforts, is injurious; and though such unresting action when occasional does no permanent harm, if it recurs daily, loss of power is the final result. Scriveners' palsy illustrates a local form of this evil; as do also various atrophies of overused muscles. Nor is this true of bodily actions only. It is true of mental actions also. A concentrated attention which is too continuous produces, after a time, nervous disturbance and inability. Daily occupation for many hours in even so simple a thing as removing the small defects in machine made lace, not unfrequently brings on chronic brain disorder. Some single-line railways in the United States, the movements of trains on which are regulated by telegraph from a central office, furnish a striking instance in the fact that the men who have thus to conduct the traffic, and cannot for a moment relax under penalty of causing accidents, never last for more than a few years; they become permanently incapable. Ethics_V1_501-550.indd 527 1/16/12 9:29 AM Rest 527 These unduly persistent strains, bodily and mental, are always indicated more or less clearly by the painful feelings accompanying them. The sensations protest, and their protests cannot with impunity be ignored. 207. Insistence on the need for that complete rest which we call sleep, is not called for; but something may fitly be said concerning its duration-now too small, now too great. Current criticisms on the habits of those around, imply the erroneous belief that for persons of the same sex and age, the same amount of sleep is required-a professed belief which is, nevertheless, continually traversed by remarks on the unlike numbers of hours of repose which different persons can do with. The truth is that the required amount of sleep depends on the constitution. According as the vigor is small or great, there may be taken many hours to little purpose or few...