Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-08-04
how TO CURE srAmmRR1ae.

Probably no human infrmity has been
the object of such diverse or such hlunder-
ing aud unscientifc treatment. Even SO
good surgeon as Dsfenbach cut wedges
cut Of the tongue Of the patient; Itard
made them speak, holding a gold fork in
their mouth Series advised waving mo-
ton of the arms during speech Bertrand
caused them to regulate the words to a
rhythmical motion of the fingers, or to
keep time to stick, as in the orchestra.
He also placed substances in the mouth.
This had been done centuries ago by De-
mosthsnes, according to that unveracious
gossip, Plutarch. These might be termed
mechanical attempts at cure. Next to them
came lin the lecture of which this is a
Condensation musical methods, and the
foremost among them being singing it
being well known that many confirmed
stammerers sing with perfect articulation.
Secondly, so-called secret method, which
consisted in either whispering or speaking
in a gruff, unmelodious tone. Thirdly, the
very opposite of this, as recommended by
Marchall Hall. namely, chanting or mono
toning. Fourthly, preceding all abrupt
and consonsntal sounds by vowel such as
E, recommended by Arnott. Filthy, the
plan of running all the words of a long
sentence into one, and thus acquiring as is
were an articulatory momentum. Intel
lectual or rational methods brought the
lecture 70 a close. First among these is
pausing and deliberateness The stam-
merer may be compared, mechanically, to
a steamship which overruns her crew, and
is treated similarly. Secondly, the imita-
tation of good models, by reading
in unison with an articulate speaker
Thirdly, and perhaps best Of all,
prefacing every sentence by a deep
breath, which relaxes all the muscles Of
speech, and enables them to start
fairly one against another. Fourthly,
plan was suggested which had sue
ceeded admirably in the lecturers expert
ence-namely, that of learning new Ian
guage. For this purpose, none was better
than French. Its pronunciation is so
thoroughly different from that of English
that it requires and establishes a totally
new coordination of muscles. Moreover,
its mode of habitusl requirement is entire
ly different from that OF English. Any
one who will watch French child just
rising out of infancy, must notice that,
whereas the character Of an English child s
speech is "smudging" and confusion, the
others Is slow, pompous and deliberate.
It is not till later in life that the
French acquire that lightning-like rapidity
of speech which is the terror of foreigners ;
while young, they speak well and slowly.
The third lecture ended with few direc-
tions how to proceed in a case of stammer-
ing, and some suggestions as to the pros
pect of cure. As to the former, it is obvi-
ously desirable to examine carefully for the
exact seat and the exciting cause of the
defect, most of the systems in vogue having
erred by exaggerating a particular treat
ment to the exclusion of others equally
admissible. As to the latter, there is no
doubt that stammering can be cured. This
was proved by such instances as Demos.
themes, Wilberforce and Kingsley. But it
was equally proved by the three names
thus enumerated that to conquer the Vi
cious habit requires no amount of patience,
ability and determination. II London Ma
ture