Distribution Of The Rigidity

This may involve the whole length of the spine or may be confined to limited areas, e.g., the lumbar, dorsal, or cervical regions separately; in rare cases two distinct areas, e.g., the cervical and dorso-lumbar, may be involved, the intervening parts of the vertebral column retaining their suppleness.

The Characteristics Of The Stiffness

(1) The stiffness may be absolute - that is to say, the spine or the portion of it involved may be rigid like a bar of iron, even when the patient is anaesthetised. (2) The stiffness may be 'sub-absolute' - that is to say, complete in ordinary circumstances, but disappearing under the influence of an anaesthetic, the rigidity recurring upon the recovery from the anaesthesia.

(3) The stiffness, although at first apparently absolute, becomes, upon proper examination, modified, with the result that the spine begins to 'give' in a succession of jerks in consequence of the stammering of the muscles - a condition which I have ven-turned to call the 'stammering spine.' (4) The stiffness may be, as indicated in the table, persistent, intermittent or relapsing, and temporary or transient.