def _m(self, word, j):
        """m() measures the number of consonant sequences between k0 and j.
        if c is a consonant sequence and v a vowel sequence, and <..>
        indicates arbitrary presence,

           <c><v>       gives 0
           <c>vc<v>     gives 1
           <c>vcvc<v>   gives 2
           <c>vcvcvc<v> gives 3
           ....
        """
        n = 0
        i = 0
        while True:
            if i > j:
                return n
            if not self._cons(word, i):
                break
            i = i + 1
        i = i + 1

        while True:
            while True:
                if i > j:
                    return n
                if self._cons(word, i):
                    break
                i = i + 1
            i = i + 1
            n = n + 1

            while True:
                if i > j:
                    return n
                if not self._cons(word, i):
                    break
                i = i + 1
            i = i + 1