ts and illustrations force upon us the conclusion that
the large majority of throat affections from which both speakers and
singers suffer might be entirely prevented by correct methods of voice
use. As prevention is proverbially better than cure, it must be
infinitely more advantageous to acquire correct methods than to unlearn
bad ones which exercise a deleterious influence, always recognisable
even when entire voice failure has not followed their practice.

_APPENDIX TO THE TENTH EDITION_

DOES DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING APPLY EQUALLY TO WOMEN AS TO MEN?

In a kind notice of the first edition of this brochure, which appeared
in _The Medical Press_, the editor raises the above question. He says:
"The evils attending faulty methods of voice-production are pointed out
both from an anatomical and from an artistic point of view,
diaphragmatic breathing being especially insisted on in opposition to
mere clavicular breathing. This is undoubtedly correct; but we think the
advice here embodied would have been even more valuable had the
authoress mentioned if from her experience she thought it applied in an
equal extent to both sexes, as it is well known that nature, or we may
perhaps more correctly say, the art of dress, causes women to breathe in
a far more 'clavicular manner' than men."

This is a valuable criticism, and as the point indicated is likely to be
of interest to many persons, I append my reply, which appeared in the
next number of _The Medical Press_:--

"To the Editor of the _Medical Press and Circular_.

"SIR,--I intended the advice on breathing to apply to both sexes,
diaphragmatic breathing with perfect control being the foundation of all
good voice-production, whether in speaking or in singing, in men and
women alike, while clavicular breathing is a potent factor in
voice-failure accompanied by throat ailments. From the examination of a
large number of cases, I find it exceptional for a woman, when dressed,
to breathe diaphragmatically, but when the garments are unfastened, and
a few simple directions followed, Nature's mode of breathing commences
to re-assert itself, feebly at first, but vigorously after a little
practice. Very many men also breathe clavicularly, to the great
detriment of their voices, whether in speaking or in singing. I have
noticed, however that whereas the majority of women _always_ breathe
clavicularly, comparatively few men adopt this pernicious habit unless
when using t