Heredität der Psychosen im Allgemeinen

Classic Text No. 135: ‘On inheritance of the insanities’, by Jens Chr. Smith (1924)

“…The prevailing view is that dementia praecox and manic-depressive psychosis are inherited in identical manner and independently (Albrecht, 1912; Foerster, 1907; Frankhauser, 1911; Hoffmann, 1921; Jolly, 1913; Kahn, 1920a, 1923; Riebeth, 1916; Rüdin, 1916; Vogt, 1910; Wiederøe, 1916; Wimmer, 1921; Wittermann, 1913). It must be conceded, though, that in successive generations, psychoses of different types may occasionally be encountered in the same family.…”

“…It is rare to find different types of psychosis in siblings. Dementia praecox is generally assumed to be recessively inherited (Elmiger, 1917–18; Hoffmann, 1921; Jolly, 1913; Lundborg, 1913; Rüdin, 1916; Wimmer, 1921; Zoller, 1920). In that instance, it is likely to be recessive regarding both the parents (Hoffman, 1921; Rüdin, 1916; Wimmer, 1921; Zoller, 1920).…”

“…It usually occurs in a direct descending line, but its dominance is not simple; one can encounter manic-depressive psychosis in persons whose parents did not suffer from this illness. With respect to the higher frequency in women (Hoffmann, 1919b; Jolly, 1913), attempts have been made to apply gender-bound inheritance rules to manic-depressive psychosis. But this has been futile, for many cases do not comply with the rules of this mode of inheritance.…”