Laura Teitelbaum, an ERO field worker prepared this detailed history of a patient at Kings Park Hospital, one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in the USA and some 12 miles from the ERO. Aaron Rosanoff of the Hospital was a member of Davenport’s American Breeders’ Association Committee on Feeblemindedness.

058. [obscured] -4 Housing: The family lives in a separate house. Four adults constitute the household. One of these is a boarder, (man). The parents as well as this daughter lives at home, are reported by the family physician as being simple people, queer and feeble-minded. The father is alcoholic. Home treatment: Patient was treated fairly well by the mother, but the father was often cross with her, especially when he came home with just enough liquor within him to make him "ugly." She never worked anywhere but home, where she helped with the ordinary routine housework. Financial condition: At one time the financial condition was good. It seems that the mother had inherited a small amount of money and some real estate, which was squandered by the shiftless father, so that now about everything they own is heavily mortgaged. The result is that they are dangerously near the poor mark. Education: The patient went only to the grammar school. She gave as the reason for leaving that she did not like school. Her mother reports her as not caring to study but to stay at home with her. The Patient's Fraternity. The patient has two sisters, [obscured], 28 years old, IV. 2, and [obscured], 24 years old, IV. 4. [obscured] is married and lives in [obscured]. [obscured] is "keeping company" with a young man she met where she is now working. She never worked until very recently when it seemed that the family was in very bad circumstances. Her sister's illness necessitated that she do something. Both these daughters never had any ambitions. Both are described by the neighbor and family physician as being silly, shallow, with no particular desires. The mother has always kept them apart from others. In their presence she would carry on peculiar conversations. The few friends the girls have now the doctor rates as feeble-minded. "They are all the same." The mother reports these daughters as never