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Show 174 E:kPRESSION Qjj' SUFFERING ! CHAP. Vt. return of the yenous blood is impeded. It seems, therefore, not im1)robable that the distension of. the ocular vessels, thus induced, might act by refiect1on on the lacrymal O'lands-the effects due to the spasmodic pressure of the eyelids on the surface of the eye being thus increased. In considcrin o- how far this view is probable, we · should bear in ° mind that the eyes of infants have been acted on in this double manner during numberless generations, whenever they have screamed; and on the }H'inciple of nerve-force readily passing along accustomed channels, even a moderate compression of tho eyeballs and a n1oderate distension of the ocular vessels would ultimately come, through habit, to act on the glands. We have an analogous case in the orbicular 1nuscles being almost always contracted in some slight degree, even during a gentle crying-fit, when there can be no distension of the vessels and no uncomfortable sensation excited within the eyes. Moreover, when complex actions or r.novements have long been performed in strict association · together, and these are fron1 any cause at first voluntarily and afterwards habitually checked, then if the proper exciting conditions occur, any part of the action or movement which is least under the control of the will, will often still be involuntarily performed. The secretion by a gland is remarkably free fron1 the influence of the will; therefore, when with the advancing age of the individual, or with the advancing culture of the race, the habit of crying out or screaming is restrained, and there is consequently no distension of the blood-vessels of tho eye, it n1ay nevertheless well happen that tears should still be secreted. We may see, as lately remarked, the 1nuscles round the eyes of a person who reads a pathetie story, twitching or trembling in so slight n degroA· aR dnAP. V!. vV:E!EPlNG. 17 hardly to be detected. In this case there has b en no screaming a~1cl no distension of the blood-vessels, y t through habit certain nerve-cells send a small amount of nerve-force to the cells commanding the mus 1 s round the eyes; and they likewise send some to the cells commanding the lacrymal glands, for the eyes oftcu become at the same time just moistened with tear. ·. If the twitching of the muscles round the eyes and tho ~ecretion of tears had been completely prevented, nevertheless it is almost certain that there ·would have Leon some tendency to transmit nerve-force in those same ~irections; and as the lacrymal glands are remarkably free from the control of the will, they would be eminently liable still to act, thus betraying, though there "\vcre no other outward signs, tho pathetic thou()'Lt which were passing through the person's 1nind. b As a further illustration of the view here advanced I rna~ remark that if, during an early period of life, wh~n hab1ts of all kinds are readily established, our infants, when pleased, had been accusto1necl to utter loud peals o~· laughter (d~ring which the vess Is of their yes are d~ tended) as often ani as continuously as they l1ave yielded when distressed to screaming-fits, then it is probable that in after liie tears would have been as copiously and a~; regularly secreted under tho one state of. mind as under the other. Gentle laughter, or a smile, or even a pleasing thought, would have sufficed to cause a moderate secretion of tears. ~rherc does .indeed exist an evident tendency in this direction, as Will be seen in a future chapter, wh,.n wo treat of the tender feelings. vVith tho Sanclwi h I ·landen;, a .'cording to Froycinet, 24 tears are actually recognized as a ign of happiness; but we should require 24 Quoted by • ii· J. Lubbock, 'Pr histm·ic Times,' 18Gu, p. 45 • |
