ID# 1927:
Karl Pearson cover letter for study on "Hereditary Transmission of Disease and Temperment" (version 2)
Date:
1908
Pages: (1)
Source:
University College London, KP, 182

Karl Pearson cover letter for study on &quote;Hereditary Transmission of Disease and Temperment&quote; (version 2)

[stamp University College London, left top] University of London Francis Galton Laboratory of National Eugenics, University College, Gower Street, W. C. July 1908. Dear Sir, You were kind enough to answer some questions about cousin marriages which appeared lately in the British Medical Journal, and I am venturing to trespass further on your kindness and to send you two schedules in the hope that you may be able to fill them up in part. I am trying to collect data with regard to the Hereditary Transmission of Disease and Temperament and should be most grateful if you could help. The enquiry based on the material obtained will be purely statistical, and no names are required except that of the recorder; the "subject" may be indicated by either a number or letters. The Schedule entitled "Hereditary Transmission of Disease and Temperament" is intended in the main for the intelligent layman. It is not supposed that the entire schedule can be filled up. What is needed is perfect frankness with regard to what is known and such frankness is possible when no names are required. These schedules are intended for all types of families, healthy and diseased. The second schedule entitled "Hereditary Transmission of Special Diseases" is intended as a record of special cases and should be filled in by the medical attendant. The schedule is especially intended for family history in mental disease, phthisis, rheumatism, gout, cancer etc. but may be used even when no special disease appears to be allied with a given stock; or again in cases of special deformity, supernumerary digits, albinism etc. A special paper of general directions accompanies this schedule (in the first schedule these are placed on the back) and the same remark applies to it, i.e. the complete filling in of the schedule is not anticipated, only such data being given in each case as can be readily ascertained. Further copies of either schedule will be sent at once, if you think you can advantageously place or use them. If unable to use them would you kindly return them to me in the stamped envelope enclosed. You are of course aware how difficult it is to obtain ample statistical data as to disease, and on this account I venture to ask your aid. A model schedule is enclosed as it is thought it may be some assistance in showing what we require. I need hardly add how grateful I shall be for any aid in this matter. I am, Yours faithfully, (Sgd) Karl Pearson. [end]

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