This paper presents a new perspective on the clinical phenomena of speech loss, focusing on physiological rather than anatomical aspects. The author, Henry Head, discusses aphasia and related speech disorders, emphasizing that these are not due to the destruction of images but rather to disturbances in the functions of the brain. He argues that speech is not a separate entity from the mind but is part of it, and that the loss of speech is a defect of the nervous system, not a specific "faculty" of speech. Head notes that the traditional view of aphasia, alexia, and agraphia as separate conditions is flawed. He points out that these disorders are not isolated but are part of a broader set of functions that are affected by brain lesions. He also criticizes the use of terms like "motor aphasia," "word deafness," and "word blindness," which do not accurately describe the actual loss of function. Head describes various tests used to assess speech and language disorders, including naming and recognizing common objects, recognizing colors, and tests involving the man, cat, and dog, the coin-bowl, and the hand, eye, and ear tests. These tests are designed to assess the patient's ability to perform tasks in different ways, and to determine the nature of the disorder. He also discusses the importance of testing patients in a quiet environment, with the patient alone, and emphasizes the need to record not only the patient's responses but also the observer's remarks. He notes that patients with aphasia may have difficulty with certain tasks, but may perform well on others, and that the tests must be repeated and varied to get a complete picture of the patient's abilities. Head concludes that the disorders of speech are not isolated but are part of a broader set of functions that are affected by brain lesions. He emphasizes the need to understand these disorders in terms of the functions of the brain, rather than in terms of specific "faculties." He also notes that the tests used to assess these disorders must be carefully designed and repeated to ensure accurate results.This paper presents a new perspective on the clinical phenomena of speech loss, focusing on physiological rather than anatomical aspects. The author, Henry Head, discusses aphasia and related speech disorders, emphasizing that these are not due to the destruction of images but rather to disturbances in the functions of the brain. He argues that speech is not a separate entity from the mind but is part of it, and that the loss of speech is a defect of the nervous system, not a specific "faculty" of speech. Head notes that the traditional view of aphasia, alexia, and agraphia as separate conditions is flawed. He points out that these disorders are not isolated but are part of a broader set of functions that are affected by brain lesions. He also criticizes the use of terms like "motor aphasia," "word deafness," and "word blindness," which do not accurately describe the actual loss of function. Head describes various tests used to assess speech and language disorders, including naming and recognizing common objects, recognizing colors, and tests involving the man, cat, and dog, the coin-bowl, and the hand, eye, and ear tests. These tests are designed to assess the patient's ability to perform tasks in different ways, and to determine the nature of the disorder. He also discusses the importance of testing patients in a quiet environment, with the patient alone, and emphasizes the need to record not only the patient's responses but also the observer's remarks. He notes that patients with aphasia may have difficulty with certain tasks, but may perform well on others, and that the tests must be repeated and varied to get a complete picture of the patient's abilities. Head concludes that the disorders of speech are not isolated but are part of a broader set of functions that are affected by brain lesions. He emphasizes the need to understand these disorders in terms of the functions of the brain, rather than in terms of specific "faculties." He also notes that the tests used to assess these disorders must be carefully designed and repeated to ensure accurate results.