Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-21
THE CARE OF THE VOICE.
How the Vocal Mechanism Works, and
the Practices which Impair 1t.

How the Vocal Mechanism Works, and
the Practices which Impair 1t.
DR.. John NJ. Mackenzie lectured recently
at Peabody Institute on The Mechanism
and Care of the Voice" Special stress was
laid by him on the physiological relations
of the air-current in respiration, upon the
Importance of the abdominal method"
of breathing, upon the evils resulting from
" clavicular and lateral" respiration,
and upon the common causes of vocal ia
tigue from antagonism of the respiratory
forces. abuse of intensity, faulty methods of
a preliminary training in vocal and reSpi-
ratorv gymnastics The old Italian school
required two wears of such exercise before
allowing pupils to sing. Well-trained vo-
calists rarely suffer from disease of the vo-
cal organs, and the systematic use of the
latter is valuable agent in the prevention
of serious pulmonary complaints. Con-
gestion and Inflammation of the larynx, loss
of contractile power of the muscles, granu-
lar pharyngitis and host of other affec-
tons of the throat are often the common
heritage Of apernicious method OF breath
ing. Unnatural forcing OF the voice, i'm
moderate laughter, the habit of whisper
ing INDUCED in so often by members of
church choirs, produce fatigue and de-
rangement of the vocal organs from abuse
of the intensity of the voice. A singer
should never hum, and much resonance is
lost by singing through the teeth. oice
training should be begun, if possible, in
youth, for as the individual advances in
life, the difficulties of vocal articulation
materially increase. In singing and pub
lie speaking a slight artificial congestion
of the vocal organs occurs, which subsidies
with the cessation of the exercise. If
sufficient rest be therefore not allowed
after such exercise, or if the larynx be ex-
posed to sudden change of temperature,
this congestion becomes permanent. The
artists of the dramatic and lyric stage
should not themselves be stirred by the
passions it is their duty to portray.
The nose was next considered rs an
organ of respiration and yoice-formation,
and as the channel through which atmos-
pheric air enters the organ Of hearing.
Natural respiration takes place through
the nasal cavities, in which the air is
warmed, moistened and freed Of impurities.
In Notwithstanding the cold, dry and
vitiated atmosphere comes in contact with
the delicate lining membrane of the respir
atory tract and produces, sooner or later,
Inflammation. The majority OF cases of
disease of the vocal organs and ear arise
from interference with the functions of
the nasal cavities and nasal throat. Ca
tarrhal inflammation of these regions de-
velops insidiously, and is fraught with dis
astrous consequences to the organs of
voice. respiration and hearing. The inju-
Oh- o,,I
mountaineering were formerly known
only to experts, who sold the knowledge of
the hygiene fact 10 professional singers for
large sums of money and under pledge of
secrecy, and a distinguished scientist has
voiced its importance when he exclalms
that could he leave a perpetual legacy TO
mankind he would embody it in the words
ell" Keep Your mouth smut.
The importance of attention to the skin
as a preventive against disease of the vocal
organs cannot be overestimated, land We
may possibly indulge the fancy that the
invulnerabiIity of Achilles after INNER
sion in the Styx is a warning myth to i'm
press upon mankind the prophylactic viz
tues of cold water. Compression of the
chest and neck impede the proper mechan
ism of the throat. THE ambitious collar
OF the dude. which arises from the surface
OF the collar bone to be inserted into the
lobule of the ear, and whose apparent Use
is to suspend all motion about the neck, ,"
was instanced rs illustrative of the latter
mode of compression. The Use of cos
meti,s containing injurious metallic oxides
and dyes employed to color certain articles
of wearing apparel sometimes exert a pre-
judicial influence on the mucous lining of
the respiratory apparatus; the additional
ornamental advantage derived from the
substitution for the plain white stocking of
orr ancestors Of the variegated hose Of to-
dav is often insufficient to compensate for
the evils which result from the exchange.
The idea that prevails in certain quar-
ters that removal Of enlarged tonsils has
an evil effect upon the resonance of the
voice WIS declared to be a stupid popular
faliacy, Numerically opposed to reason
and the facts N the case; for 1t has been
demonstrated that the operation not only
renders the voice clearer and more sonor-
Gus, but NAV even allow extension of its
compass several notes higher. 1t had
even been maintained that the tonsils
do not exist in the normal throat-that
the aresimply pathological excrescences-
and recent writer had said that were he,
like Frankenstein, to attempt the construc-
ton of man he would leave the tonsils
out. Patti, Lacca and other great singers
have rot only submitted TO the operation,
but owe the full power OF their voices to
its performance.
naI nf 1