Among physicians generally and even in the specialties chiefly concerned there is little scientific knowledge of speech and its defects. This well planned and not too ponderous volume contains much fundamental and interesting information on the subject
The physiology of speech, including the mechanism of production of the various phonetic sounds, is considered at some length. The development of speech and the acquisition of speech by the infant are discussed, along with the psychologic aspects. The relation of speech to the central nervous system and to hearing is explained. This groundwork makes the exposition of defects of speech easily understood.
Some physicians may find the chapters on the psychologic aspects not so easily read, though they may consider some purely medical presentations rather elementary; but the dual authorship of an otolaryngologist and a psychologist and educator has provided a well balanced volume.
In the discussions of speech as a social