VOL. L.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS, 273 



It is well known that vocification is performed in the aspera arteria; but that 

 the articulation of sounds into syllables and words is modulated principally by 

 the tongue, and muscles about the larynx. In this case, very early in the dis- 

 ease, the spasms seized the muscles about the larynx : the consequence of which 

 was, that after they were over, the patient was unable to utter a word. This 

 faculty however she again once recovered; but it continued a very short time, as 

 the fits returned, which again left her deprived of the power of speech. After 

 having lost her voice a second time, her power of speech did not return, even 

 after she was freed from her convulsions, and her general health restored. Four- 

 teen months passed, while this patient continued absolutely speechless; when, 

 after having violently heated herself by 4 hours dancing, on a sudden her power 

 of speech returned, and it has continued perfectly free ever since. 



What is still further remarkable in this case is, that during the whole time of 

 this patient's continuing speechless, her life was rendered yet more uncomfort- 

 able by her having, from the injury to her brain by the spasms, forgot how to 

 write, so as to express her meaning that way : but on the recovery of her speech, 

 this faculty likewise returned, which she has retained ever since. During the 

 severity of this disease, which continued several weeks, almost every day of 

 which, from the number and violence of the convulsions. Dr. W. feared would 

 be the patient's last, nothing was left unattempted, which he imagined could 

 tend to prevent the return of the spasms, or lessen their effects. His endeavours 

 so far happily succeeded, that her fits did not return; but the consequences of 

 them continued, more particularly her inability to speak. After some months, 

 however, when she was recruited in her strength, he was desirous of trying the 

 effects of electricity, more particularly applied about, her throat. This was ac- 

 cordingly attempted; but such was the state of her nerves, and their sensibility 

 to its effects, that electrizing brought back the fits, which again affected her 

 sight; so that he was compelled to desist, lest, in endeavouring to restore her 

 speech, he might not only fail in this attempt, but might possibly bring on a 

 permanent blindness. He determined therefore to trust the whole to time, 

 wliich happily removed all her complaints. 



C. On an Extraordinary Storm of Hail in Virginia. By Francis Fauquier, 

 Esq. Lieut. Governor of Virginia, and F. R. S. p. 746. 

 This storm happened on Sunday the 9th of July, about 4 o'clock in the after- 

 noon, and was preceded by some thunder and lightning. It was a small cloud 

 that did not seem to threaten much before its breaking, and did not extend a full 

 mile in breadth. It passed over the middle of the town of Williamsburgh, and 

 the skirts of the town had but little of it. Its course was from n. by w. to s. 

 by E. The hail-stones, or rather pieces of ice, were most of them of an oblong 



VOL. XI. Nn 



