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As in the former case, stating the matter physiologically, the nerves of relation and sensation were functionally at fault; or the transmitted influences fell upon torpid nervous centres, that, in turn, originated no impulses outward. The radiant nerves transmitted no co-ordinating agency.

But in distinction from the former there was in this case a marked enjoyment in being caressed, in being held in the lap. He would in return rub his cheeks against his mother's cheek and put his arm around her, and he had been taught to put his lips to hers, though without any effort to kiss with them. In other words, he understood and could, in some slight degree, respond to the natural language of affection.

Second. Those who do not speak but have an idea of language to the extent of knowing when they are called, understand a few simple commands, and the names of a few objects or persons, -- twenty-two in number.

It is not necessary to give illustrative cases of this or of the two following classes.

Third. Those who do not speak, but understand any simple sentences, -- six in number.

Fourth. Those who do not speak, but understand almost any ordinary language in the household, -- three in number. With such, the failure is not in the desire or disposition, but in the power to execute. Speaking physiologically, the default is somewhere in the nervous track between the centres of volitional impulse and the termination in the vocal apparatus.

Fifth. Those who utter a few words or sentences, but without any, or with but little, idea of language or the words and sentences used. The semblance of speech in those cases is imitative or parrot-like.

On a preceding page I have given some cases in point. I refer to them again to bring out more clearly the nature of the default. Following the phraseology of some modern writers, one might say that the sounds transmitted do not reach the higher or intellectual nerve-centres, but merely pass to what may be called the subordinate region of the imitative faculty, whence, inspired by the reigning volition there, they emerge in the form of articulate sounds.

Or, again, that the cohesion or association between sound and meaning is not established, while the association between sound and articulation is. (3) I prefer to use the word association to that of cohesion, because we know what association is, and cohesion is a physical condition that we only infer as a link in the chain between sound and meaning, or sound and articulation. And, again, because association precedes the supposed cohesion; in other words, association is primary and cohesion is secondary. This is true in the acquisition of speech. In the deprivation by disease, or aphasic condition, defect in the cohesion (physical) would precede the impairment in the associations necessary whether to comprehension of language or articulation in the matter of speech.

In either case, the effort to remedy the absence or the loss would be by establishing or restoring the required association.

Sixth. Those who speak a few words, understanding their meaning and with a purpose in their use; these usually employ the gesture-language as an aid to their imperfect speech.

Seventh. Those who use brief sentences. Of these we might suggest two divisions.

Sub-class a. Those who use such sentences in a natural way and in accord with the limited continuity of their thought.

Sub-class b. Those who utter brief sentences in a spasmodic and emotional way.

In the development of speech, I think that the usual order is, first, imitative, then intelligent and emotional speech. There is, however, a peculiarity that may be noted. Emotional speech becomes automatic, while intelligent speech has not the same tendency; inasmuch as a constant self-determination is a necessity of the latter, in view of varying circumstances. And so in aphasia, emotional speech, with its acquired automatism, is witnessed long after rational and voluntary speech has disappeared.

Eighth. Those who talk connectedly to the extent of their intelligence in varying degrees, up to a fair command of language.

And in applying to these language and speech as the test of intelligence, we are not to regard fluency, but a real command to the extent of the individual's needs, and fitness, and discrimination in its use.

In all the cases in the three last classes there is more or less distinctness of utterance, depending, first, upon acuteness of observation, and, second, upon co-ordinating power and flexibility of organs. In other words, upon conditions of sensory and motor nerves.