Objective: To investigate the clinical and familial characteristics of essential tremor(ET).Methods: The clinical features and familial history of 2 ET patients were reviewed.Results: The clinical manifestation of the probands was intentional tremor,which could be ameliorated by alcohol.The incidence of the disease was 55.6% and 43.7% among the first-and second-degree relatives of the two families.Propranolol,a ?-adrenoceptor antagonist,was an effective drug for ET.Conclusion: Clinically ET is characterized by postural or intentional tremor,which mostly involves the hands and head.Positive result of the alcohol test is shown in most ET patients.It is commonly assumed to be a genetic disease.