University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

'This lad was very backward at school, had a low IQ, did not sit control exam. Worked in a shop for a time but could not count the change; then on a farm. Is now in the navy. [Male informant] says that he had brains but used them the wrong way; a liar and mischievious. Dr says this boy seems OK now.'

Relatives in survey: 22.3, 22.5

"This woman is dullish, not defective. Not very good mentally, has peripheral neuritis and progressive muscular atrophy in one arm. Was a mill worker till recently but had to give it up owing to her health."

Relatives in survey: nephew 28.3, son 28.1

"This woman is definitely mental. Not senile - has always been like this. She keeps house for an old man. [Male confirms] employer is very mean, does not give her enough to eat. Definite case of exploitation of an MD but as she is not certified there is nobody to supervene. Dr confirms - suffers from a peculiar anaesthesia of one side of body and face."

Relatives in survey: daughter

'Slow and simple, some history of mental disorder. In CRI once? [Female informant] confirms that he is simple]. Single, farm servant. Father a retired farmer. Mother dead. Lives with his sister. Admitted to CRI, discharged - melancholia. Rate-aided. Nurse confirms, soft and polite, very well looked after. Queer, very quiet, no trouble, just potters about. Fairly clean - PC. Minister thinks this man is OK., quiet and serious, doesn't say much but his head is screwed all right.'

'IQ 72. Now working, not too bad but not just normal. Was threatened with TB bowel, was frequently in the Infirmary. Chorea. Parents living, mother 40+, reasonably smart. Decent home. Spotlessly clean, not overcrowded. Nurse thinks the mother fussed these children too much. Minister confirms - nice family.'

Relatives in survey: Siblings 24.86 Mother 24.85

"This girl has an IQ of 71. She comes of a dull family who work on a farm."

Relatives in survey: Siblings 25.25

This girl had an IQ of 84 at school. She is now a maid. Dismissed for backchat.

Relatives in survey: brother 25.32

"Feelings in stomach and palpitations, can't sleep. Stomach has been x-rayed, OK. Was employed for two hours a week as a cleaner, for which she got 3/- a week. Found it more profitable to draw a £1 a week insurance. Dr can't make anything of her. Father was a fierce old article, everyone afraid of him."

Relatives in survey: Children 28.28, 28.168

"This man changes his job every second week - probably an exaggeration, but has an unsteady work record. Was a stoker at the mill but complained the fumes gave him headaches. PAO: not a clean house. LE: irregular, gets restless and unsettled. a glutton for work when he does, then feels conditions are against him and goes off. "Maggotty"."

"Epileptic but never hurts herself, pesters the life out of the doctor. She worked in a munition factory in 1914 for a few months. drew insurance benefit from then until she got her old age pension - then started to work in the mill. Husband, dead, a mill worker. Married daughter with a large family live with her."

Relatives in survey: daughter 28.103