CHAP. XXIX.] SPEECH AND THOUGHT. 625 



just as the initially-guiding Visual Sense may after a time 

 be dispensed with in the execution of ordinary movements 

 (p. 556). 



The next case* is rather more complicated, but it affords 

 clearer evidence of a great diminution in the excitability 

 of the Auditory Word- Centre. 



Dr. Hun, of Albany, mentions the case of a blacksmith, set. 35, 

 who, before the present attack, could read and write with facility. 

 He had been labouring for several years under disease of the 

 heart. After a long walk in the sun he was seized one evening 

 with symptoms of cerebral congestion, and remained in a state of 

 stupor for several days. On recovering from this condition he 

 understood what was said, but it was observed that he had great 

 difficulty in expressing himself in words, and for the most part 

 could only make his wants known by signs. There was no para- 

 lysis of the tongue, which he could move in all directions. He knew 

 the meaning of words spoken before Mm, but could not recall those 

 needed to express himself, nor could he repeat words when he heard 

 them pronounced ; he was conscious of the difficulty under which 

 he was labouring, and seemed surprised and distressed at it. If 

 Dr. Hun pronounced the word he needed, he seemed pleased, and 

 would say, " Yes, that is it," but was unable to repeat the words 

 after him. After fruitless attempts to repeat a word, Dr. Hun 

 wrote it for him, and then he would begin to spell it letter by letter, 

 and after a few trials was able to pronounce it ; if the writing were 

 now taken from him he could no longer pronounce the word ; but 

 after a long study of the written word, and frequent repetition, he 

 would learn it so as to retain it, and afterwards use it. He kept a 

 slate, on which the words he required most were written, and to 

 this he referred when he wished to express himself. He gradually 

 learned these words and extended his vocabulary, so that after a 

 time he was able to dispense with his slate. He could read tolerably 

 well from a printed book, but hesitated about some words. When 

 he was unable to pronounce a word he was also unable to write it 

 till he had seen it written ; and then he could learn to write as he 

 learned to pronounce, by repeated trials. At the end of six months 

 by continually learning new words, he could make himself under- 



* American " Jrnl. of Insanity," Ap. 1851 ; and given, as here, 

 in abstract by Dr. Bateman in " Jrnl. of Ment. Sc.," Ap. 1868. 



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