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pass over the wind-pipe into the gullet. In a minute or 
two he will see the back surface of this, and, breathing 
quietly and gently, thoroughly examine its shape, not un- 
like that of a leaf. He may now turn the face of the 
reflector upwards and make himself acquainted with the 
hinder surface of the curtain which hides part of the throat 
from view. 
This may suffice for the first lesson. To see the inside 
of the wind-pipe needs a little more tact. Proceeding as 
before, he must place the mirror as far back as possible in 
his throat with the reflecting surface downwards. As soon 
as the posterior surface of the epiglottis is well defined, by 
very slightly moving the mirror so as to throw the light 
more downwards he will accomplish the next stage of his 
progress. Perhaps fora moment only a large dark hole 
appears, with brightish edges. That is the opening of the 
wind-pipe. A little more light, or a slight movement so as 
to reflect the light directly down into this hole and the vocal 
cords are instantly seen—especially if he should be making 
some vocal sound—their vibration at such a time being 
very distinct. The whole art of laryngoscopy is now 
acquired.. It is easy enough to give utterance to a series 
of musical notes while holding the mirror in the throat, and 
intensely interesting to watch the rapid vibrations of the 
cords vary with the position, in the musical scale, of the 
notes uttered. This having been done, the study is not 
likely to be abandoned. Friends may now be fairly in- 
vited to join in the prosecution of the work, and it is very 
easy, by proper arrangements of looking-glasses to enable 
a whole party to witness the production of voice sounds in 
the living man. As to instruments, and many patterns are 
to be purchased at moderate prices, we advise the beginner 
to content himself with the most simple. Complexity 
seldom adds to efficiency, and the most elaborate apparatus 
will never serve the purpose of a little tact and patience. 
There is plenty of opportunity for new observers to dis- 
tinguish themselves. Beyond the domain of medicine but 
slight progress has yet been made, though we predict for it 
a rapid growth. The works already cited will supply 
valuable hints, but no amount of instruction will be of 
service without a strict attention to the few simple points 
we have mentioned. It is the same with the microscope 
and other instruments, attention to preliminaries ensures 
success. But the laryngoscope is altogether simpler than 
the microscope, and, once the steps we have indicated 
taken, becomes altogether easy to use. 
24 The Laryngoscope. 
