The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-02-09
A TERRIBLE INFlRMITY.
stammerlng and Its Causes-Treatment
for Children and Adults.

for Children and Adults.
[Pittsburg Leader.l
''Did you notice how that man STAN
mered" asked Prof. Byron w. KING,
the well-known elocutionist. to Leader
man as a gentleman so afflicted LETT him.
well, sir, stammering and suffering
are infirmities that entail more misery
and suffering upon their subjects
than any one can know who has
not been there. frequently the
sufferer becomes respondent, melan-
choly, and, maddened by his affection
until unable to bear it longer, he ends
his wretched existence by his own hand.
You can not realize his sufferings. He
is shut out from the world. He can not
find comfort anywhere. People sympa-
thize and pity him, but this only aug
ments his distress. There are two kinds
of stammering, mental and physical,
though in all cases the trouble IS partly
In the mind; therefore, to cure 1t, II Is
necessary TO minister to mind dis
eased.'
9sMental stammering9 Well, you have
seen individuals who were unable to
speak connectedly. They will begin to
tell you something, repeat their words,
throw in a score of 'ur's,' fail to find
words to express their ideas, get con-
fused and finally end the speech IN
different line of thought altogether. 1t
is almost as disagreeable as the physical
stammerer, but is not often designated
as stammering. People say, he hesl,
tates.' he stops he has such way OF
hating in his speech, lit is so hard for
him to speak, The has habit of stop
ping etc. 1t is the most difficult to
overcome.
physical stammering manifests itself
in many ways l never found two cases
exactly alike. The trouble seldom is
caused by any malformation of the or
Qans of speech. The stammering is
usually apparent at the lips, the tongue,
or the throat, but the cause of it is not
often found there. The trouble is usu-
ally at the waist at the diaphragm. Let
me mention to you few traits of STAN
merers generally. The stammerer IS OF
nervous temperament, is usually OF
somewhat peculiar disposition. You
viii generally find him restless, using
his arms, his hands and fingers In pc
cuiiar way and he will often have pc
euliar way or walking. He can sing and
not stammer one syllable. lie
can frequently shout and hal
loo as well as any one If
slightly angry he may not be able to
open his lips; but if very angry he may
speak without the slightest hesitation.
III his mind be diverted from his circum-
stances, he can talk If very sick, OF
suffering intense pain, he can talk, but
If slightly unwell he will be dumb from
his impediment He is often recluse
he does not care much for running anC
boxing, or like sports. If he runs a
short distance he will complain of pain
in his side, so, also, if he boxes. He
may accustom himself to these exercises,
and they will help him, but of themselves
will not likely remedy the evil. He viii
frequently get out of breath with very
slight exertiOn, although he may possess
an abundance of physical strength. de
seldom walks erect; will not often have
o firm, steady eye. He can usually
sneak without trouble when alone.
ssCan it be cured2 Certainly! But NJ
pupil need try it unless he has plenty o
energy-that is if he stammers badly
Children who stammer should be re
ouired TO repeat their sentences SLOWLY
and carefully. They should not b'
scolded. That is inhuman. A LITTLE
care with a child may prevent Ions
wears of misery. For adults the treat
ment should be something like this: TIL
muscles of the waist must be trained t.
act promptly and firmly. The troubl
Is mainly there. The upper organ
make the proper movement, but the dia
phragm does not, and so no breath is ex
pelled from the lungs, and the tongue
Tins and throat continue their move
nfents. The body must be kept firml
erect, and the words must be uttere'
with energy, frmness, and slowly. lie
him stand as if ready to box, keep tn
waist firm, the head well up, the Who'll
body energetic, and then he is ready t
practice, He should practice sentence
as if angry, keeping the voice firm an
strong. BE should articulate hrml
and strongly. He should pronounce
sentence much like word, cautiousl
at first. This will give him all the &C
vantage of his ease in singing. II
must keep the jaw firm, and all tn
organs under great control.