Stammering, and other imperfections of speech, treated by surgical operations on the throat / by James Yearsley.

Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Stammering, and other imperfections of speech, treated by surgical operations on the throat / by James Yearsley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    * March 24th. Reports himself much better. Removed a portion of the palaten arch. March 31 st. Reports himself still better. To take quinine twice a-day. CASE XIX. John Burroughs, aged twenty-one, 23, Wellesley-street, Euston- square, stammered from infancy. Had been growing worse for five years, until the last year, when the impediment diminished in a slight degree. Depression of spirits always increased the difficulty. Had the greatest hesitation in pronouncing words beginning with or “c” hard. Had violent motions of the arms and legs, in attempting to speak ; the lower jaw sometimes depressed with such violence as to occasion great pain. Often experienced pain at the epigastrium and under the sternum. Had at intervals attacks of difficulty of breathing, threatening suffocation, for which bleeding and blistering had been tried in vain. The stammering occasioned loss of breath : the exertions to speak were so violent as to cause profuse perspiration and great feebleness. Had sat down frequently and cried at his inability to talk. His infirmity oppressed him to such a degree, that the idea of committing suicide often entered his mind. Lived with a surgeon five years. March Vttli, The uvula was removed. He could speak words clearly the instant after the operation, which a few minutes before and all his life had been attended by great stammering and contortion. This patient, at finding the curse of his life removed, wept for joy. Another sufferer was present, hesitating whether or not he should submit to the operation ; seeing which, Burroughs told him to go down on his knees and pray that it might be performed directly. March 1 Qth. The improvement has continued unabated up to this time. Has not had any difficulty of breathing, pain, or hesitation of speech since the performance of the operation. March 28th. Up to this time J. B. continues quite well. CASE XX. March 2Ath.- Ellen Hollands, aged nineteen, 7, Russell-court, Bridge-street, Covent-garden, stammered since five years of age. In giving her name says, M—m—a Dollands, and convulsive action of the hands; and if standing, of the whole body. N—n—n n nine- teen ; for forty, says thorty ; for fifty, thifty; for Peter,says Theater. Removed uvula and left tonsil with no immediate effect. March 31s£. Reports herself much improved. Confirmed by her * friend. April 4th. The friend who came with her, but who does not live in the same house, states that she has seen her daily since the ]>