fully comprehended, let us place the normal development of this vital part of the human being in contrast with the abominably abnormal condition so common in the society of fashionable American women.

A sufficient commentary on this fashionable folly and pernicious vice, so far as the immediate objects of this work are concerned, is the simple statement of the fact, that no female who deforms her body with tight-lacing ever becomes distinguished as a reader, speaker, or actor,

Fig. 19.

Fig. 20.

CORRECT POSITION IN STUDY.

MISPOSITION IN STUDY.

although a majority of them have attained distinction as chronic invalids and the mothers of feeble offspring.

All crooked bodily positions, by unbalancing the whole muscular system, enfeeble the breathing apparatus and impair the voice. Malpositions and spinal distortions are often acquired in the primary schools, because of the unanatomical construction of the miserable benches on which the suffering scholars are educated to "sit still " several hours each day. Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate this subject.

The malposition acquired in the sitting posture in

Fig. 21.

Fig. 22.

STANDING ERECT.

MALPOSITION IN STANDING.

childhood, is manifested in the standing posture in adult life, as represented in fig. 22, contrasted with the perpendicular position, fig. 21.

Although these deformities, which are almost always acquired in early life, can never be entirely overcome, much benefit may be derived from a persistent course of vocal culture, in connection with a proper system of gymnastic exercises; and if the laryngeal structures are favorably organized, such persons may become reputable speakers.

The habit of sleeping with the mouth open in early life, and especially in infancy, has a very injurious effect on the breathing and vocal organs; and not only this, but it tends to distort the jaw-bones and deform the teeth. Parents and nurses should be very careful to check this habit in its incipiency, or the damage may become irremediable. The imperfections of speech termed lisping and stammering are not attributable to organic defects, but to errors of action of the vocal apparatus. In lisping the tongue cleaves to the roof of the mouth, or is pushed against the upper teeth; stammering is occasioned by a spasmodic action of the glottis, tongue, or lips, which is always aggravated by any mental apprehension or embar

rassment.

Hoarseness of voice is usually occasioned by a swelling or congestion of the mucous membrane which lines the mouth, nose, trachea, or bronchial tubes. When the laryngeal portion of the mucous membrane is extremely congested, voice is entirely lost, as happens in some cases of quinsy, diphtheria, and croup, and in the later stage of laryngeal consumption. A chronic thickening of the mucous membrane of the laryngeal sacs or ventricles sometimes occasions permanent hoarseness, or complete loss of

voice. Paralysis of any one or more of the muscles of articulation may cause defect or loss of voice.

A common cause of defective voice, and sometimes of complete aphonia, is a want of association or co-operation in the action of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm in vocalization—a condition which may be occasioned by bodily malpositions, disease, or an improper use of the respiratory and vocal organs.

The nasal tone of voice is due to an approximation of the arches of the palate, more than to a closure of the nostrils.

The vailed tone of voice is occasioned by lowering the larynx so that it is covered by the entire pharynx, the base of the tongue being approximated to the palate, and the voice resounding in the upper part of the pharynx. beneath the skull.

The explosive voice, which is due to the respired air being all passed out at the mouth, is always aggravated by a feeble co-operation of the abdominal muscles with the vocal effort. In this case the speaker becomes hoarse with any prolonged vocal effort. The explosive voice, though harsh and loud, is never heard at a great distance.

CHAPTER IV.

THERAPEUTICS OF THE VOICE.

PREMISING that, in all conditions of infirmity or disease affecting the voice, the general health is the first of all things to be attended to, this chapter will be devotedto such exercises and remedies as are specially applicable to defects of the vocal apparatus. In all cases it is important to harmonize as much as possible the action of all the muscles directly or indirectly concerned in respiration and voice; and just to the extent that this is accomplished will the disabilities or deformities be remedied, weak muscles and organs invigorated, obstructions removed, congestions reduced, and vocalization improved.

One of the best exercises is rapid walking over an uneven surface, or up and down stairs, keeping the mouth shut. The exercise should be commenced with moderation, and gradually increased in rapidity as can be borne without panting or difficulty of breathing. Those who are dyspeptic can improve the effect of this exercise by slapping the abdominal muscles as recommended in the author's work on "Digestion aud Dyspepsia.”

Among the "modern improvements" introduced into many health institutions, more or less useful for our purposes, are the health-lift, vibrator, dumb-bells, wands, rings, clubs, and other apparatus and machinery, each having special adaptation to some one or more of the many

(33)