Introduction
Perusing the tremendous literature on paralysis of the larynx, one cannot help wondering why it required the untiring efforts of hundreds of scholars to unravel the mysterious problems connected with paralyzed vocal cords. During the last hundred years periods of diligent experimentation were followed by innumerable and, at times, rather temperamental argumentations. After the discussions had calmed, resignation reigned for a time and many authors preferred an attitude of guarded neutrality when dealing with the controversial questions of laryngoneurology. Lately more general agreement seems to have been reached and some authors propound the final explanation of all pertinent problems with definite affirmance.Contrary to other clinical or therapeutic topics, the older bibliography on laryngeal paralysis is not necessarily limited by obsolescence. Whereas the advent of new drugs or of bacteriologic advances has radically altered most aspects of medical practice, the problems of normal and diseased laryngeal innervation remained the