OF ARTICULATE SOUNDS. 311 



nation, which we are continually forming unconsciously to ourselves, would 

 not be suspected, without a minute analysis of the separate actions. Thus, in 

 uttering the explosive sounds, we check the passage of air through the pos- 

 terior nares, in the very act of articulating the letter ; and yet this important 

 movement commonly passes unobserved. We must regard the power of form- 

 ing the several articulate sounds which have been adverted to, and their sim- 

 ple combinations, as so far resulting from intuition, that it can in general be 

 more readily acquired by early practice than other actions of the same com- 

 plexity ; so that we may consider these movements as having somewhat of the 

 same consensual character as that which has been attributed to the purely 

 vocalizing actions (412). But there is in many individuals a deficiency of 

 the power of rightly combining them, from which Stammering and other im- 

 perfections result. Many theories regarding the nature of stammering have 

 been proposed ; and there can be little doubt, that the impediment may be 

 attributed to a great variety of exciting causes. A disordered action of the 

 nervous centres must, however, be regarded as the proximate cause ; though 

 this may be (to use the language of Dr. M. Hall) either of centric or of excen- 

 tric origin, that is, it may result from a morbid condition of the ganglionic 

 centre, or from an undue excitement conveyed through its afferent nerves. 

 When of centric origin (and this is probably the qiost general case), the phe- 

 nomena of Stammering and Chorea have a close analogy to each other; in 

 fact, stammering is frequently one of the modes in which the disordered con- 

 dition of the nervous system in Chorea manifests itself. It is in the pronunci- 

 ation of the consonants of the explosive class, that the stammerer experiences 

 the greatest difficulty. The total interruption to the breath which they occa- 

 sion, frequently becomes quite spasmodic; and the whole frame is thrown into 

 the most distressing semi-convulsive movement, until relieved by expiration.* 

 In the pronunciation of the continuous consonants of the first class, the stam- 

 merer usually prolongs them, by a spasmodic continuance of the same action ; 

 and there is, in consequence, an impeded, but not a suspended respiration. 

 The same is the case with the / and r in the second class. In pronouncing 

 the m and n, on the other hand, as well as the aspirates and vowels, it is some- 

 times observed that the stammerer prolongs the sound, by a full and exhaust- 

 ing expiration. In all these cases, then, it seems as if the muscular sense, 

 resulting from each particular combination of actions, became the stimulus to 

 the involuntary prolongation of that action. In some instances it is possible, 

 that the defect may result from malformation of the parts about the fauces, 

 producing an abnormal stimulus of this kind, in some particular positions of 

 the organ ; and such cases may be really benefited by an operation for the 

 removal of these parts. But the effect of the operation is evidently for the 

 most part upon the Nervous System ; and it coincides with what may be 

 frequently observed, that the stammering is increased under any unusual 

 excitement, especially of the Emotional kind. 



419. The method proposed by Dr. Arnott for the prevention of Stammering, 

 consists in the connection of all the words by a vocal intonation, in such a 

 manner, that there shall never be an entire stoppage of the breath. It is justly 

 remarked by Mliller, however, that this plan may afford some benefit, but 

 cannot do every thing ; since the main impediment occurs in the middle of 

 words themselves. One important remedial means, on which too much stress 

 cannot be laid, is to study carefully the mechanism of the articulation of the 

 difficult letters, and to practise their pronunciation repeatedly, slowly, and ana- 



* By Dr. Arnott this interruption is represented as taking place in the larynx; that such 

 is not the case, the Author believes that a little attention to the ordinary phenomena of 

 voice will satisfactorily prove. 



