THE HUMAN VOICE. How Certain Modifications May Be Produced.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 180, 27 November 1886, Page 7

THE HUMAN VOICE. How Certain Modifications May Be Produced.

It has long been known that the inhalation of various volatile substances is capable of producing certain modifications in the human voice, and of late years attempts, more or less legitimate in their application, have been made to give tfaia knowledge a practical form. An interesting series of experiments faring on this subject has lately been made before the Societe Medicale dv Pantheon by Dr Sandras, in which, by means of different inhalations, varying from one to twelve, he produced marked variations in the intensity, tone, and timbre of the voice. He could not only confer upon the persons so treated the peculiar voice of the confirmed inebriate, but, what is more to the point, he could— temporarily, at any rate—remove it when preeent. The notes produced by the same larynx were made of high or low pitch at will, and the range of the voice could be notably increased, while harshness or sweetness could be made to alternate. The substances em- ! ployed for this purpose are not new ; it is only their application which may be said to be novel. Tar-water, alcohol, ether and various essential oils constitute the 11 battery" for inhalation purposes. The most curious part of the experiments is the accuracy with which certain well-defined effects are said to be obtained. Thus, a certain number of inhalations of one kind will diminish the compass by so many notes, while another will confer an additional eight ' or ten ; aome even limit the range to five or Bix notes. By combining a selection of the agents accurately graduated repults aaay, we are told, be obtained at will. There is ample ecope for research in this direction • and really reliable information on the subject will net only insure professional honours, but also professional success of the fortunate discoverer. An infirmity of voice, whether congenital or acquired, is scarcely lees distressing than one Affecting the anatomical disposition of the limbs, and would certainly be subjected to treatment with the came eagerness. Wo are only waitipg for further and trustworthy details on this interesting queEtion to suggest that facilities be offered to the various categories of people to whom we are indebted for^ the wonderful variety of street cries which, if curioue, are not always harmonious. The costermongers suffering from "diphtheria clericorum," and the itinerant dealer in cast-off garments, who is not, alas ! afflicted with aphon ; a, might fairly be experimented upon pro bono publico.