VOICE, SONG AND SPEECH. 273 



in explaining this matter, as the importance of the nose in respiration 

 is not well understood. Its influence on the speech is better recog- 

 nized, as most persons easily note the peculiar effect on the speech 

 when there is an obstruction in the nasal passages. 



Having now given you a description of the organs of speech in 

 health and in disease, a few words as to its care will conclude this 

 article. In this as in other parts of the human body, prevention is 

 better than cure. Careful attention to any abnormal condition of the 

 nose or throat is an effective means of preventing any disease of these 

 parts. The same rule, which applies to other parts of the body, such 

 as the necessity of outdoor exercise, fresh air, etc., is in general ap- 

 plicable here, and perhaps a little more here because the nose and 

 throat form the vanguard of the respiration so essential to life. Any 

 agent which irritates the delicate membrane of the throat is injurious 

 to the voice — among these may be mentioned the use of strong liquor 

 and the abuse of smoking, especially cigarettes. The action of the 

 cigarette tends to produce a chronic irritation and thickening of the 

 throat, sometimes accompanied by excessive dryness and irritability, 

 these causing efforts to clear the throat which adds to the injurious 

 effect. The remedy is evident. 



The correct placing of the voice is of the utmost importance. No 

 attempt should be made to do this until the voice is properly developed, 

 and this should not be done by singing or even solfeggio practice, but 

 by vocal exercises on the vowel sounds, especially of a (as in 'maw'). 

 I have seen many voices greatly injured and even permanently ruined 

 by being placed in the wrong class, even such egregious errors as a 

 bass, classified as a tenor, being among the cases which I have had to 

 treat. 



The strengthening of the throat by means of vocal exercise is as 

 important as the strengthening of the body by suitable physical exer- 

 cise. Teachers and lawyers, therefore, as well as singers should prac- 

 tise certain vocal exercises such as loud reading, light vocal scales, 

 etc., so that, when called upon to make a special use of the voice, it is 

 prepared by regular practise for this unusual exertion. 



VOT.. LXIV. — 18. 



