THE HISTORY OF A SWEDISH FARMER'S 



LINEAGE AS SEEN FROM A RACE. 



BIOLOGICAL STAND.POINT* 



OF 



HERMAN LUNDBORG 



A COMMONWEALTH CONSISTS, AS IS KNOWN, NOT ONLY OF 

 individuals, but also of households and families. These combined con* 

 stitute a people. A constant family»tie engenders the safest foundation 

 for a »culture» State. It is in the interest of every well^^organized community to 

 preserve, and further strengthen such a social principle, which has shown itself 

 to be beneficial from times immemorial. 



For this purpose, we must acquire a thorough knowledge of a large number 

 of kinsmen, during several generations. We must confess that very much is 

 needed, before we have reached this goal. Thither we shall arrive sooner or 

 later however. 



We must never forget, that the greatest opulence a country possesses, is its 

 own people, provided they are of a good stock. We Swedes are, in this respect, 

 fortunately situated. We should not therefore shun any sacrifice, to cherish, and 

 augment the biological inheritance, which a generous nature has bestowed on us. 

 It is inadvisable to feel too secure in the belief that this vigorous source is in* 

 exhaustible. It can decrease, or even wholly disappear, if we do not understand 

 how to economize sufficiently. 



Ancient sages have given utterance to the wise saying »Know thyself». It 

 applies to us even in these days. But we must add more and say, »Learn to 

 know thyself, your kindred and your people*. 



When it is a question of putting this precept into practice, we must not be 

 satisfied with only a superficial knowledge, but we should penetrate further into 

 the matter, as other scientific explorers do such as historians, biologists, physi'' 

 cians etc. 



We must learn to know thoroughly the various stocks, their life and condi» 

 tions, and the forces which generate development, in one or the other direction. 

 We should therefore carefully pay attention to biological, physiological and pa* 

 thological conditions existing in the same, that is to say, to obtain knowledge 

 regarding the constitution of the family, its disposition, its social value and 

 ability etc. 



One often hears it said that nothing is to be gained by investigating the 

 conditions of »a farmer's family, which is similar to all others*. This is a great 

 mistake. The social position of a family, is by no means the most important 



• This representation is grounded upon the author's work : — Medizinisch'biologiche Familienforschungen innerhatb eines 

 2232'kopfigen liauerngeschlcchtes in Schweden (.Medical'biological Familyrcsearches containing 2232 copies of peasant-families in 

 Sweden). Text und Atlas. G. Fischer, Jena 1913. 



