THE INTERMITTENT TENDENCY


Paradoxical as the statement may seem, it is nevertheless true
that one of the symptoms of least seeming importance marks one of
the most dangerous aspects of both stuttering and stammering.

This is the alternating good-and-bad condition known as the
Intermittent Tendency or the tendency of the stutterer or
stammerer to show marked improvement at times.

This seeming improvement brings about a feeling of relief, the
unreasoning fear of failure seems for the time to have left almost
entirely; the mental strain under which the sufferer ordinarily
labors seems to be no longer present; there is but little worry
about either present condition or future prospects; the nervous
condition seems to have very materially improved, self-confidence
returns quickly and with it the hope that the trouble is gone
forever or is at least rapidly disappearing. With these
manifestations of improvement come also a greater ease in
concentration, a greater and more facile power-of-will and an
ambition that shows signs of rekindling, with worth-while
accomplishments in prospect.

Hope now burns high in the breast of the stutterer or stammerer.
They go about smiling inwardly if not outwardly, happy as the
proud father of a new boy, at peace with the world. The sun shines
brighter than it has for months or years. Every one seems much
more pleasant and agreeable. Things which the day before seemed
totally impossible seem now to come within their range of