494 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



cate manipulation is here what counteracts the convulsive action of 

 the diaphragm. 



Gaping is also a convulsive form of inspiration, which, however, 

 is not so short and violent as the hiccough. In gaping, moreover, 

 those muscles which raise the walls of the chest are at once brought 

 into prominent action ; while, further, a rapid contraction of the dia- 

 phragm is necessary before the climax can be reached, after which a 

 somewhat rapid fall of the thorax produces a quick expiration. The 

 important part which is played by the rise of the chest is particularly 

 shown by the fact that in very violent gaping the head is thrown back- 

 ward, and the shoulders raised, in addition to which even the arms are 

 sometimes stretched upward. During the gaping inspiratory process 

 the mouth is opened spasmodically, and at the same time the soft pal- 

 ate is spasmodically raised, closing the air-passage of the nose. The 

 whole phenomenon, including the sense of satisfaction after the inspi- 

 ration, seems an indication of a strong desire for air, and the existence 

 of this desire under those circumstances in which gaping is generally 

 observed — sleepiness, for instance, or weariness — is readily explaina- 

 ble. Such circumstances are accompanied by a general inactivity of 

 the nervous system, from which results a weak respiratory action, in- 

 sufficient for the body when awake. 



Stammering results from efforts to talk while a similar action to 

 that which produces hiccough is going on. The difference is that, in 

 stammering, the contractile spasm of the diaphragm is longer. During 

 its continuance no expiration can take place, and, as speech depends 

 upon the existence of an issuing stream of air, it is impossible for a 

 person while suffering such a spasm to produce any sound. Ineffectual 

 and therefore exaggerated efforts to create sound with the organs of 

 the mouth and throat give rise to distressed grimaces, and this dis- 

 tressed expression must necessarily be augmented by the fact that, by 

 so long delaying expiration, a want of breath is felt and the circula- 

 tion of the blood interrupted. "When at length the spasm ceases, and 

 is followed by a quick expiration, the natural condition is restored till 

 again destroyed by a fresh spasm. But there may be no attempt to 

 speak, and yet the cause of the phenomenon (the sj^asm in the dia- 

 phragm) may be experienced ; in this case it will not cause stammer- 

 ing, and may be quite imperceptible to the observer. If, now, as ap- 

 pears from the above, stammering is only an occasionally observed 

 symptom of a contractile spasm in the diaphragm, it must be clear 

 that all attempts to cure stammering by exercising the organs of the 

 mouth and throat must be unsuccessful, and that this defect can be 

 efficiently treated only by following rules already given for the treat- 

 ment of hiccough. A quiet, unhurried inspiration must be followed 

 by an expiration as slow and long as possible, the issuing stream 

 either being employed in speech or not. With this treatment the 

 motor nerves of the diaphragm can most effectually recover from their 



