Military aspects of narcolepsy, with remarks on the pathogenesis of narcolepsy and on fatigue

Abstract

Certain situations in military life constitute natural experiments in which are duplicated the essential conditions of Pavlov's laboratory experiments on internal inhibition. Some of these situations are: (1) trench warfare, in which the impulse for hand-to-hand fighting is inhibited; (2) bombardment, in which the impulse to run away is inhibited; (3) sentry duty, in which the sentry must differentiate insignificant stimuli from those that indicate the approach of the enemy. The occurrence of narcoleptic symptoms in response to these situations is a phenomenon identical with the occurrence of inhibition and sleep in Pavlov's corresponding experiments. Consideration is given to the occurrence, in these situations, of morbid somnolence, hypnagogic hallucinations, fatigue and morbid elation.