deliberately, and distinctly, until the habit of convulsive action of the affected muscles is overcome. The stammerer should always speak with an expiring breath, and with the mouth well opened; a cure can generally be accomplished in a few months, sometimes in a few weeks. Indeed, a proper and persevering course of vocal gymnastics will almost certainly remedy the worst kind of stammering.

The first thing for the stammerer to do is to get complete control of his breathing apparatus. This can be done by means of the exercises mentioned in the succeeding chapter, especially those recommended by Professor Zachos, combined with the practice of slow, deep, full, and prolonged respirations. After this is accomplished, exercises on the vowel sounds, as explained hereafter, will be in order, constituting what M. Chevril, of France, who has acquired a reputation for the successful treatment of vocal impediments, terms the "gymnastics of articular phonation." When these vowel sounds are so thoroughly mastered that they can be distinctly enunciated forward and backward (thirty-two sounds) with a single expiration, and without any appreciable tendency to spasmodic action, the consonant sounds should be practiced on until all of them can be enunciated without the least inclination to stammer. Lastly, all of the elementary sounds of our language (forty-four), as explained in the ensuing chapter, should be practiced on until every sound is made without difficulty. Says M. Chevril: "The whole plan consists in gymnastically educating the organs of speech, the excellent results being due not so much to actual muscular work as to the precision with which the practice is carried out. The success depends on an effort of the will on the part of the patient to reproduce with

the utmost precision a particular sound. The will of the teacher must take the place of the patient's wil, as the latter is unable to regulate the movements dictated by it."

The principle above indicated may be readily comprehended when it is considered that hiccough, which is a spasmodic action of some of the respiratory muscles, can always be arrested instantly by a strong effort of the will properly directed. It is only necessary to fix the attention on some subject or object intensely; for example, the patient may determine to speak the word hiccough, during the next "attack," or paroxysm, and then watch intently for the first indication of it. If his attention is intense enough he will not hiccough again.

CHAPTER V.

TRAINING OF THE VOICE.

In all exercises having in view the improvement of the vocal apparatus, the first consideration as already stated, is a correct bodily position. It should be easy, unconstrained, and in all respects natural, allowing the freest play to every muscle concerned in respiration as well as vocalization. Figs. 40, 41, 42, and 43 represent some of the normal positions in public speaking.

PRESERVATION OF THE VOICE.

The rules for ensuring the durability and best working condition of the voice are few, simple, and mainly nega tive.

1. Be temperate in all things-and this means, avoid

gluttony and dissipation, and be moderate in all sensuous indulgences.

2. Do not make violent vocal efforts soon after a full meal; nor exert the voice at its highest pitch long at a

Fig. 42.

Fig. 43.

EXHORTATION.

APPEAL.

time. Never use the voice except very moderately when affected with hoarseness.

3. Butter, nuts, old cheese, sugar, candies, salted meats, acid liquors, ice-cream, very cold drinks, and very hot drinks, are especially injurious to the voice.

CONTROLLING THE RESPIRATION.

Among the essentials of good reading or speaking is a perfect command of the breath, so that all of the expired air can be used to the utmost advantage in vocalization. To acquire this condition :

1. Read or declaim in a loud whisper. This exercise is very fatiguing at first, and should be practiced but a few minutes at a time, until habit renders it easy.

2. Read or declaim in a low, strong key, passages which

require a firm and dignified enunciation, gradually pro ceeding to more spirited, and finally to the most impassioned sentences.

3. The following respiratory exercises, recommended by Prof. Zachos, are admirable for enabling the speaker to express the deeper emotions:

Full Breathing.-Stand in an erect position, with the arms akimbo, the hands resting on the hips; slowly draw in the breath until the chest is fully expanded; emit it with the utmost slowness.

Audible Breathing.-Draw in the breath as in full breathing, and expire it audibly, as in the prolonged sound of the letter k.

Forcible Breathing.-Fill the lungs, and then let out the breath suddenly and forcibly, in the manner of an abrupt and whispered cough.

Sighing.-Fill suddenly the lungs with a full breath, and emit as quickly as possible.

Gasping. With a convulsive effort inflate the lungs ; then send forth the breath more gently.

Panting.-Breath quickly and violently, making the emission of breath loud and forcible.

MANAGEMENT OF THE VOICE.

The proper management of the voice comprises due attention to tones, accent, emphasis, pronunciation, articulation, and pauses. The following rules should be observed:

1. Commence speaking a little under the ordinary pitch of voice.

2. The principal part of a discourse should be delivered in the ordinary pitch of voice; the exordium should be very deliberate and below the ordinary pitch, and the