Full text of "Stamering And Cognate Defects Of Speech Vol - Ii"
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MODES OF ENUNCIATION, ETC. 213 of blood to the brain, and that it thus probably tends indirectly to preclude amnesia. There can be no doubt that relaxation diminishes the inertia of the motor speech-mechanism, and that the mechanism is then capable of being actuated by a stimulus weaker than would otherwise be necessary. When the body-muscles are generally contracted — and this condition commonly prevails with the stammerer — the motor cells of the cortex must be continuously discharging into the efferent nerves. It seems that the inertia of the contiguous motor cells —those actuating the speech-organs — is then increased, and speech rendered more difficult in consequence. On the other hand, when the muscles of the body are generally relaxed, there is apparently a diminution in the inertia of the cells actuating the accessory muscles. The result, as already stated, is that the oral articulative mechanism is capable of being actuated by a weaker stimulus; i<&. by a weaker auditory or Mnaesthetic verbal image. Re- laxation would thus preclude stammering in many Instances when muscular tension would make it inevitable. As already remarked, Dr. Sa&dow's expedient is merely the development of a feature embodied in practically every commendable system for the treat- ment of stammering. Of the efficacy of the expedient there can be no doubt* It counteracts physical