From Albin Gaertner1 27 May 1879
Wien,
27. Mai, 1879.
Hochverehrter Herr!
Nachdem ich die meisten Ihrer Werke in deutscher Übersetzung gelesen, war mir eine ganz neue Welt erstanden.2 Heute wage ich es in die Zahl Ihrer Correspondenten zu treten und ein Beispiel von Vererbung mitzuteilen.
Der Wiener Advokat Dr. Mikosch hat in hohem Maasse die Unart die Fingernägel zu beissen. Er kann sie auf keine Weise ablegen. Seine noch lebende Mutter kaut ebenfalls an den Nägeln herum, aber nicht so häufig. Wie diese erzählt hatte ihr verstorbener Vater dieselbe Unart bis zum Tode in hohem Grade besessen. Das Interessanteste aber ist, dass das Kind des Advocaten, ein Mädchen, im Alter von 9 Monaten bereits an den Fingerspitzen in einem fort herumnagte, so dass der Arzt zu Rate gezogen wurde und niemand zweifelt, dass diese Unart vererbt worden ist und sehr schwer abzulegen sein wird.3
In der Hoffnung, dass diese Notiz auch Ihr Interesse erregt, | verharre ich mit Ehrfurcht | als Ihr ergebenster Diener | Dr Albin Gaertner
Wien, I. Nibelungeng, No 1, 4. Stiege
CD annotations
Footnotes
Bibliography
Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Variation: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868.
Translation
From Albin Gaertner1 27 May 1879
Vienna,
27. May, 1879.
Highly honoured Sir!
After I read most of your works in German translation, a whole new world arose before me.2 Today I dare to enter the ranks of your correspondents and relate to you an example of inheritance.
The Viennese lawyer Dr. Mikosch has the most appalling bad habit of fingernail biting. He is absolutely unable to give it up. His mother who is still living also chews her nails, but not so frequently. Both had reported that her dead father also had the same bad habit to a severe degree right up until his death. The most interesting thing, however, is that the lawyer’s child, a girl of 9 months, already nibbles on her fingertips, so that their doctor had to be consulted and no one doubts that this bad habit is inherited and will be very difficult to break.3
Hoping that this report has aroused your interest, | I remain with respect | your devoted servant | Dr Albin Gaertner
Vienna, I. Nibelungeng, No 1, Staircase 4.
Footnotes
Bibliography
Descent: The descent of man, and selection in relation to sex. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1871.
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Variation: The variation of animals and plants under domestication. By Charles Darwin. 2 vols. London: John Murray. 1868.
Summary
CD’s works have opened a new world for him.
Sends a case of inheritance: a fingernail biting habit has persisted for four generations in a Viennese lawyer’s family.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-12064
- From
- Albin Gaertner
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Vienna
- Source of text
- DAR 165: 1
- Physical description
- ALS 1p †
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 12064,” accessed on 25 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-12064.xml
