284 Life and Health 



Persons subject to throat disease should take special care 

 to wear suitable underclothing, adapted to the changes of 

 the seasons. Frequent baths are excellent tonics to the 

 skin and serve indirectly to protect one liable to throat 

 ailments from changes in the weather. It is not prudent 

 to muffle the neck in scarfs, furs, and wraps, unless per- 

 haps during an unusual exposure to cold. Such a dress 

 for the neck only makes the parts tender and increases 

 the liability to sore throat. 



442. Hints for the Care of the Voice. Every teacher of 

 elocution or of vocal music should have a practical knowl- 

 edge of the mechanism of the voice. Good voices are 

 often injured by an injudicious and incompetent instructor. 

 Never use the voice when its weakness or failure gives 

 warning that the general health is impaired. Undue strain 

 is often put upon the voice even by conversation in steam 

 or electric cars, and other noisy places. Cease speaking or 

 singing the moment there is any hoarseness or sore throat. 

 Always stop before fatigue is felt. Avoid sudden changes 

 from hot to cold air, even when the voice has not been 

 used. 



The voice should not be exercised just after a full meal, 

 for a full stomach interferes with the free play of the dia- 

 phragm. A sip of water taken at convenient intervals, and 

 held in the mouth for a moment or two, will relieve the 

 dryness of the throat during the use of the voice. 



443. Effect of Alcohol and Tobacco upon the Throat and \ 

 Voice. Alcoholic beverages often injure the throat, and 

 consequently the voice, by irritating the membrane of the 

 larynx and the vocal cords. The vocal cords may be thick- 

 ened, roughened, and enfeebled, and their delicate vibra- 

 tion may be impaired. The clearness and purity of the 

 vocal tones may be diminished. Hence vocalists, whose 



