Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.
The Alpine Scheitholt furnishes an example of this older type of European zither. By the late 18th century, two principal varieties of European concert zither had developed, known as the Salzburg zither (with a rounded side away from the player), and the Mittenwald zither (with both sides rounded).
In Augszeme and Vidzeme kokles of both kinds have been played, but in the same time there have been also intermediate types, for example, kokle with a beakly wing. At the end of XIX century the traditions of making kokles have come under the influence coming of the West European zithers.