UNDER-innervation of the organs of speech, which results in loose,
uncontrolled repetitions of a word, sound or syllable, or it may
take the form of an overinnervation of the vocal organ with the
result that it is so intensely contracted as to be entirely
closed, causing the "sticking" or inability to pronounce even a
sound, so common to the stammerer.

Suppose that you try to say the word "tray." Do not articulate the
sounds. Merely make the initial effort to say it. What happens?
Simply this: The tip of the tongue comes in contact with the upper
front teeth at their base and as you progress in your attempt to
say "t," the tongue flattens itself against the roof of the mouth,
moving from the tip of the tongue toward its base. If you are a
stammerer, you will probably find in endeavoring to say this word,
that your vocal organs fail to respond quickly and correctly to
the set of brain messages which should result in the proper
enunciation of the word "tray." Your tongue clings to the roof of
your mouth, your mouth remains open, you suffer a rush of blood to
the face, due to your powerful and unsuccessful effort to
articulate, and the word refuses to be spoken.

Now, in order to dissociate "lack of co-ordination," from
stammering and to get an idea of its real nature, let us imagine
an experiment which can be conducted by any one, whether they
stammer or not.

You see on the table before you a pencil. You want to write and
consequently you want to pick up the pencil. Therefore, your brain
sends a message to your thumb and forefinger, saying, "Pick up the
pencil." Your brain does not, of course, express that command in