The blood pressure was measured in the lying position and after I minute's quiet standing in 494

SUMMARY Twenty-six patients with the speech disorder of Parkinson's disease received daily speech therapy (prosodic exercises) at home for 2 to 3 weeks. There were significant improvements in speech as assessed by scores for prosodic abnormality and intelligibility' and these were maintained in part for up to 3 months. The degree of improvement was clinically and psychologically important, and relatives commented on the social benefits. The use of a visual reinforcement device produced limited benefit over and above that from prosodic exercises alone, except to patients with severe speech disorder.

Twenty eight patients with Parkinson's disease (average age 63 years, average duration of disease 8 years) and 28 normal elderly controls (average age 70 years) were tested for their ability to appreciate the prosodic aspects of their own and others' speech, and facial expression. Compared with the controls the Parkinsonian subjects performed worse at these tests, though both groups could easily identify neutral statements. The Parkinsonian subjects were unable to produce statements in an angry or questioning form. These seemed to be features of early Parkinson's disease. to test this hypothesis. Metiods Twenty eight patients with Parkinson's disease (18 men and 10 women, mean age 63 years), were studied. All were

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