DEATH. 



805 



is considered by Blumenbach a valuable cri- to be no less strong in the paralysed limbs 



terion of the reality of death. The flexibility than in those which were unaffected by the 



of the joints obviously depends upon the re- disease. The temperature of the body has been 



laxation of the muscles. said to influence it. Beclard* speaks of cooling 



Rigidity is a change which has attracted as being always antecedent to rigidity, and 



great attention from its importance as an evi- Nysten has made a similar statement. But we 



dence of death. Its period of accession de- have had many opportunities of disproving this 



pends principally upon the nature of the ma- observation. Ch. Louis noticed the pheno- 



lady. After long and exhausting illnesses, menon in some of the cases just adverted to, 



its appearance is early, but the duration is brief, while the bodies were quite warm. Its occur- 



and the intensity trifling. The same remark rence in cold-blooded animals is, we think, a 



applies to the modifying influence of old age. sufficient refutation of the idea that it bears 



When the individual has been cut off by sud- any necessary relation with the loss of heat, 



den accidental causes or by acute diseases, Moreover Devergie has very properly pointed 



it comes on for the most part much later,* out the inconsistency of this notion with the 



lasts longer, and is more intense than in the fact that rigidity appears first upon the trunk, 



former instances. It may appear within half the region which is the last to be deserted by 



an hour after death or may be delayed twenty caloric. 



or thirty hours, according to the circumstances The cause of rigidity is referred by most 

 just mentioned. The mean duration is from authors to a sort of lingering vital contraction, 

 twenty-four to thirty-six hours ; but it may It is often spoken of as the last effort of life: 

 last six or seven days according to Nysten, " II semble que la vie," says Nysten, " se 

 whose researches upon this subject are very refugie en dernier lieu dans ces organes, et 

 valuable. We remember observing it once on y determine le spasm e qui constitue le roi- 

 the eighth day after death in the body of a deur."f This author not only refers it to con- 

 criminal who had been executed by hanging, traction, but endeavours to explain how a very 



but are not aware at what time it had com- 

 menced. The parts which first present this 



low degree of the ordinary kind of contraction 

 may be sufficient to stiffen the muscles though 



change are the neck and trunk ; it then appears not to move the part with which they are con- 

 in the lower extremities, and lastly in the nected. Supposing that a muscular effort equal 

 upper. Its departure observes the same order, to 20 would completely bend the elbow, one 



It is yet to be proved that rigidity is not an equal to 10 would semiflex it ; one equal to 



invariable consequence of death. Nysten at- 5 would bend it a quarter of the distance ; 



tributes Bichat's assertion of its non-appear- while aforce equal to l-20th only, would perhaps 



ance in some cases of asphyxia, to the lateness produce no motion at all, nothing but rigidity ! 



of its developement. If it could be wanting Beclard alleges, three causes; the last contrac- 



in any case, it would probably be so in sub- tion of muscular fibres, the general cooling of 



jects attenuated and of flabby fibre. Louis in the body, and the coagulation of the fluids, 



his Letters on the Certainty of the Signs of Death The second of these we have already disposed 



declares that he never found it absent even in of. Notwithstanding the high authorities in 



the infirm and age-worn patients of Salpetriere, favour of the opinion that rigidity is caused 



and Fodere gives a similar testimony to its by a vital contraction, we confess that to us it 



universality.f appears a very untenable position. All mus- 



The seat of rigidity is the muscular sub- cular contraction in its normal condition alter- 



stance. Of this we may be assured by the nates with relaxation ; and although rigidity 



following facts. (1). It is observed in all those might be supposed to bear some analogy to 



animals (including many of the invertebrata) the tonic spasm of tetanus, it differs widely 



which have a distinct muscular tissue. (2). Its from the latter in one important respect, that 



intensity is in a direct ratio with the develope- when overcome by violence it does not return, 

 inent of this tissue. (3). It is destroyed by When we consider that the continuance of 



division of the muscles, a fact first noticed by the phenomenon in question is long after 



Nysten.J (4). It remains when the cellular 

 membrane, skin, aponeurosis, and ligaments 

 are removed. (5). When very strong, it ren- 



the cessation of any vital action; that the 

 usual time of its accession is precisely that 

 which we have every reason to consider the 



ders the muscles prominent as in voluntary most unfavourable for the occurrence of any 

 contraction, or in that spasm which is induced vital action, viz. when all animal heat is ex- 

 by rammollissement of the brain and spinal tinct, and when sanguineous congestions in the 

 marrow. Ch. Louis makes a remark of this depending parts of the body prove the capil- 

 kind in his admirable memoir upon some cases laries to have lost their contractility; it is difli- 

 of sudden death.|| cult to regard the process as of a vital cha- 



in hemiplegiac subjects rigidity is observed racter. The mere fact that the rigidity comes 



on and remains long after the muscles have 

 ceased to respond to the stimulus of galvanism, 

 reduces the hypothesis to the last degree of 

 improbability. Moreover we should scarcely 

 expect the last act of life to be performed in 



* We very recently however observed the phe- 

 nomenon only an hour and a half after the death 

 of a boy by acute peritonitis. 



f Med. Leg. t. ii. p. 361. 



j Rech. de Physiol. et Pathol. Chim. 



Devergie, Diet, de Med. et Chir. Prat. Art. 

 Mart. 



|| Rech. Anat, Path. p. 500. 



* Anatomic Generate, p. 127. 

 t Op. cit. v. art. 3. 



