I must lastly point out that the cure of stammering often entirely depends on the management of the breath, and in all cases it must be an important agent.
The limits of this paper allow but a brief notice of the best course for a breathing instructor to follow. Let the pupil lie down on his back, place the hand lightly on the lower part of the lungs, and tell him to inhale easily through the nostrils, allowing the air to fill the lower part of the lungs, avoiding all motion of the shoulders and heaving up of the chest. When the lungs are fully inflated count four with deliberation, and let the pupil inhale all the air as suddenly as possible. Gradually increase the counting week by week up to twelve, which marks a real control over the unused muscles. The next course is for the pupil to inhale suddenly and exhale slowly. The instruction given is of necessity meagre, but it need hardly be pointed out, no written directions can take the place of personal teaching. From four to six weeks is usually sufficient for the young and vigorous to gain command over the breathing apparatus; older pupils have sometimes great difficulty in mastering the muscles, unruly through disuse.
Herr Behnke allows no use of the voice beyond ordinary speaking while the breathing exercises are going on. I have followed this rule much modified, and do not find the results unsatisfactory.
The total neglect of this important subject in both American and English schools is to me perfectly astounding. Half an hour a week for three months would be ample for the purpose. These few hours would confer a benefit of the highest value, and lasting a lifetime.
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