Stamering And Cognate Defects Of Speech Vol - Ii

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