outward appearance of stammering, is continually searching for
synonyms or less difficult words to take the place of those which
he cannot speak. This continual searching for synonyms results in
a nervous tension that is sure to tell on the mental faculties
sooner or later, and I have found, in examining many thousands of
cases, that the synonym stammerer is usually in a more highly
nervous state than any other type.

MENTAL STRAIN EVENTUALLY TELLS: The effect of stuttering or
stammering on the sufferer's concentration is very marked. The
sufferer notes an inability to concentrate his mind on any subject
for any length of time, finds it impossible to pursue an education
with any degree of success or to follow any business which
requires close attention and careful work.

The power-of-will is also affected and the stammerer notes an
inability to put through the things which he starts and which
require the exercise of will power to bring to a successful
conclusion.

A diagnosis of insanity is sometimes made in the case of a
stammerer in the advanced stages of his malady, while in other
instances the mental aberration takes the form of a hallucination
of some sort, as in the case of the boy who was of the belief that
he was continually being followed.

But regardless of what form is taken by the mental disorder
resulting from stammering, such cases are almost invariably found
to have long since passed into the incurable stage, although
positive statements as to the individual's condition should not be