The mystery of the dwarf village in China.

Located in Sichuan province in southwestern China, the village of Yangsi has puzzled scientists for decades because 40% of its population are dwarfs.

According to the village elders, their normal and happy lives "were destroyed one summer night in 1951" by a strange disease. The disease primarily affected children aged 5 to 7, causing them to stop growing and remain at the same height for the rest of their lives. In addition to not growing taller, some patients suffered from various other disabilities.

The 1985 census found approximately 119 similar cases in the village. The condition did not stop with the initial victims; it was inherited by subsequent generations. As of 2014, 36 out of the village's 80 residents were dwarfs, with the tallest being about 117 cm tall and the shortest 64 cm.

In January 2008, health authorities in Tu Trung district conducted X-ray examinations on dwarfs in Yangsi village. The images revealed bone abnormalities, reflecting stunted growth.

Dwarfism is a condition characterized by short stature due to medical or genetic factors. By definition, people with dwarfism are typically 147 cm or shorter. Their average height is 122 cm.

There are many different medical conditions that cause dwarfism. These disorders are generally divided into two broad categories:

- Disproportionate dwarfism causes the body size of the affected person to be disproportionate, with some body parts being small and others of average or above-average size. These disorders that cause disproportionate dwarfism inhibit bone growth.

- Constitutively dwarfism occurs when body parts are all roughly the same size, proportionate to a body of average height. These conditions are present at birth or appear in childhood, limiting overall growth and development.

The people in Yangsi village are of short stature. Photo: Courtesy Feed — The people in Yangsi village are of short stature. Photo: *Courtesy Feed*

Scientists and experts visited Yangsi to study the area's water, soil, and food sources. They examined affected patients, hoping to find an explanation for the rare condition. In 1997, experts hypothesized that mercury levels in the soil of Yangsi village were high, but they were unable to prove the hypothesis. As a result, the cause of the illness remains a mystery to this day.

While not denying the village's existence, the Chinese authorities have closed the area to foreign visitors. Photographs of the locals circulated, along with some bizarre rumors. The situation was officially documented in 1951, but reports concerning the dwarves date back to 1911.

Recent studies suggest that subsequent generations appear to be unaffected by the mysterious disease.

Thuc Linh (According to Stoly, Panarmenian )

Source link