A SWEDISH FARMERS LINEAGE 59 



Descriptions of this disease are very seldom met with in foreign publications. 

 Boys as well as girls are attacked by it. Its usual progression is about like this. 

 At an age of 7 to 10 years, the child is subject to nightly attacks, which are repeated 

 with shorter intervals for some years. 



During the day very little happens at first. Gradually however, a change 

 appears. Skaking fits occur and, occasionally muscular spasms take place here 

 and there, in different parts of the body. These symptoms gradually increase in 

 violence, and spread. 



A marked symptomatical periodicity is soon observed. The patients have 

 comparatively quiet days, followed by days when the muscles become more and 

 more agitated. Then one or more epileptic fits occur, after which the patient 

 becomes comparatively quiet again. In this way it continues through life with 

 increasing violence. Many patients die early, others having the advantage of 

 good attention may live 20 or 30 years. They are a burden to themselves, and 

 their environment, for in a few years after the appearance of the disease, they are 

 helpless, and must be waited upon, and looked after as if small children. They 

 are very troublesome as patients, for they are not only helpless, but as a rule 

 stubborn and passionate. 



The muscular spasms, and attacks of cramp keep the patient bed^ridden. 

 During the most troublesome days, the muscular reflexibility is so increased that 

 figuratively speaking a puff of air will be enough to produce spasms. 



The patients cannot, under such conditions, take food. It is difficult, or 

 even quite impossible to feed them, because, as soon as the food is placed in 

 the mouth, (whether in solid or liquid form) irregular muscular spasms in the 

 mouth and throat commence. All is ejected again. It is a sorrowful sight. 



No radical remedy has been discovered for this serious disease. All our 

 efforts are nearly fruitless in combating veritable inherited diseases. Both phy« 

 sicians, and quack«doctors have been resorted to, and large sums of money have 

 been sacrificed — without result. 



This fact should certainly open the eyes of both doctors, and the general 

 public to the importance of taking preventative race^hygienic steps. A new 

 epoch is approaching, when these ideas will be established. It will come as a 

 blessing to both families and peoples. 



I soon observed, during my investigations in the district, that this family in 

 question was a rich field of labour for a more penetrating study. It was now 

 considerably degenerated being numerous however and now living within a small 

 limited district. One could here collect race>^biological material of great scientific 

 value, thus being well able to throw a light upon social and race«biological 

 questions which are yet in darkness. Such a task however would require a 

 scientific explorers time, and energy for a number of years. 



The original forefather of the large family under investigation was a farmer 

 in a prominent position, a member of the District Council, member of Parliament. 

 Per (1721 — 1804). He was dark, healthy and robust, talented quick-tempered, 

 imperious, often involved in disputes, and law*suits, even with his own children. 



