Recently, an original long lost manuscript resurfaced having been discovered in an ancient bookshop in the back waters of the southern states.
Getting Your Voice Ready For Ventriloquism
Now just a word as to the care of the throat before passing on to the actual work of ventriloquizing. A gargle of tepid or cold water, begin¬ning with tepid, aids and strengthens the voice, while hot water will take out any soreness that may result from the exercises. A cold compress applied to the neck over night works wonders.
This may be made by dipping a piece of cotton cloth into cold water, wringing it, and after folding into a convenient size, binding it around the throat under a strip of flannel. All so-called cough drops should be avoided. If the throat feels dry and harsh, half a teaspoonful of glycer¬ine a few minutes before beginning will lubricate it, and any hoarseness before beginning may be broken up by sucking a lemon.
It is also a good thing to daily massage the throat by bending the neck back until the space between the shoulders is touched by the back of the head. Resuming the natural posi¬tion, turn the head and touch the top of the right shoulder with the chin and do the same with the left shoulder. Then beginning in the notch just above the breast bone rub or knead from below up to the lower jaw with a light pressure, yet firm enough not to slip on the skin.
Of course I need hardly add a word as to the importance of keeping the teeth clean by brush¬ing them at least once a day, after every meal if convenient, to preserve them and keep the mouth sweet and wholesome. I would also recommend a daily lung bath in order to strengthen and de¬velop the lungs, which will not only give one added power for vocal elicits of any kind, but will also improve the general health.