Davenport and Weeks: Inheritance of Epii^epsy 



17 



Table V shows us the condition of the offspring of two par- 

 ents both of whom fall into the tainted classes : neurotic, migrain- 

 ous, alcoholic, hysteric, paralytic. Bunching this heterogeneous 

 collection we find that of i86 classified offspring 82, or 44 per 

 cent., are " normal " ; about 30 per cent, are epileptic or imbecile 

 and the remainder insane (2 per cent.) and tainted. Expectation 

 is that 25 per cent, shall be epileptic or imbecile, and this expec- 

 tation is approximately realized. The remainder are, as was to 

 be expected, normal and tainted (Figs. 25, 26). 



TABLE A. 

 Showing Nervous Condition of Relatives of Normal Parents in Table IV. 



It is a remarkable and significant fact that when both parents 

 have the same class of taint the proportion of offspring of that 

 class is not exceptionally high (Table B). The conclusion is that 



TABLE B. 

 Showing the Proportion of Tainted Individuals of any Class whbn both 

 Parents belong to that Class. 



the specific defect is not inherited as a unit ; but only as a mental 

 weakness. 



*Table V confirms in an interesting fashion the view now 



