Letters: Mindless rant
As a humble osteopath, and on behalf of my colleagues accused by Gould
of ‘dissident doctoring, old fashioned sorcery and mumbo jumbo, fringe,
unorthodox techniques and being improper doctors’, ‘I feel compelled to
offer my diagnosis of Gould’s condition.
Clearly, Gould is suffering from an affliction known as Psycho-Sclerosis
– hardening of the attitudes – with a secondary liver dysfunction which
produces symptoms of jaundiced opinion. At this stage the prognosis isn’t
too good, but in all sincerity, Donald, I hope you get well soon.
Alan Griffiths Australian Academy of Osteopathy Sydney, Australia
Letters: Stranded
I wonder if the flax has really been retted and used as linen to produce
the fabric, as stated in ‘Strands from the dawn of time’ (This Week, 24
July). To employ the basketry weaving technique, which this clearly is,
usually requires materials which are stiff, such as as flax before retting.
When retted this produces soft linen fibres which need to be spun before
they are useable and, as pliable threads, would then be difficult to weave
in this way.
Maybe the vertical ‘threads’ are dried flax and the horizontal ones
spun linen. It would be easy to ascertain if spun linen has been used by
examination of the original photograph. The flax would subsequently ret
naturally leaving the durable linen.
Jean Mounter The Lincolnshire Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Sleaford,
Lincolnshire
Letters: Public domain
The review of TCI software’s Scientific World package (Review, 3 July)
gives the impression that TeX and LaTeX typesetting software is slow, requires
a fast processor, and is expensive. However, existing public domain versions
of the software, such as EmTex, will run on fairly modest machines and typeset
more than one page per second.
In one test we used a 386-based PC running at 33 megahertz with 2 megabytes
of memory. This configuration running the EmTex software produced over one
page per second, and when the program was used on a 33 megahertz 486 PC
with 4 megabytes of memory we were getting 2 pages per second. These figures
contrast with the 20 seconds per page quoted for TCI’s Scientific Word.
It appears that what the buyer is paying for with the TCI package is
the Windows environment. This ostensibly makes the software easier for the
user to understand, however in this case it appears to be at the expense
of processing speed. In our experience the public domain versions of TeX
and LaTeX are not that difficult to use even though they don’t have a graphical
user interface – although care must be taken when installing the software.
Overall, it seems that the performance of TCI’s software referred to
in the review gives a misleading impression in the absence of any reference
to the public domain versions of the software. The 20 seconds per page quoted
for Scientific Word would make the system almost unusable, whereas TeX and
LaTeX offer reasonable production rates. They also have the added benefit
of being free and readily available for a range of computer systems including
PCs, Apple Macintoshes and machines running the Unix operation system. They
can be downloaded from the TeX archive at Aston University (anonymous ftp
from TEX. ASTON. AC. UK), or for a nominal handling charge from the TeX
Users Group, PO Box 869, Santa Barbara, CA 03102, USA.
G. Hutcheson and N. Sofroniou University of Strathclyde
Letters: Personal details
In his review of The Neandertals (3 July), our esteemed friend and colleague
Bernard Wood said he became ‘unreasonably irritated’ at the details of scientists’
appearances and personal lives that appear in the book.
We applaud Wood’s choice of adverbs, but we would like to clarify to
the reader (and reviewer) the point of these descriptions. One of the most
striking facts about the Neandertals is that the interpretations of their
remains have fluctuated wildly even when the fossil evidence has stayed
the same. We believe this is because the theories scientists espouse and
the ideas they find plausible are strongly influenced by their personal
lives and histories. ‘Glowering browridges’ or ‘receding chins’ are symbols
of savagery – legible to a particular class and society – more than they
are anatomical evidence of a particular level of intelligence or type of
behaviour. Ethnicity, family background, friendships, and, yes, even personal
appearance may play an important role in science.
We will not speculate why Wood finds this an improbable thesis. But
surely, as a thoroughly modern anatomist, he must take it on the chin for
missing one of the major themes of the work he was charged with reviewing.
Erik Trinkaus and Pat Shipman White Hall, Maryland, US
Letters: Sweet sewage
I was disappointed to read of research work that Severn Trent Water
is funding being reported out of context (New 杏吧原创, Science, 31 July).
I am not aware of any microbiological problem arising as a result of
treated sewage sludge being applied to agricultural land in accordance with
the Department of the Environment’s Code of Practice.
We have funded the research referred to in order to determine the appropriateness
of the three week no-grazing rule in the code, the validity of present microbiological
analyses for salmonella, and to develop a greater understanding of the
viability of S. typhimurium.
The paper referred to in your article relates to ongoing research work
at the University of Warwick and is one of a series of publications. The
specific issue of ‘viable but nonculturable’ organisms is not unique to
sewage sludge but relevant to microbiological analyses of samples of many
materials in the environment. The significance of organisms in this state
is not fully understood and requires further investigation; hence, the company’s
funding of the present research.
Your article failed to put this research into perspective. Without this,
it is quite likely that the farming community and public will be made unnecessarily
anxious by its publication.
D. R. Wood Severn Trent Water Birmingham
Letters: Zener remembered
Could I ask for a few inches of space to remember Clarence M. Zener,
a distinguished American physicist, whose death at his home in Pittsburgh
(July 2) at the age of 87 has received too little notice in this country.
The Zener diode, a basic component that has made his name a ‘household
word’ in electronics, had its origin in a paper he wrote in 1934.
It was only one of many developments, including advances in computer
science, that sprang from his original work in solid state physics. Internal
friction in metals was another field in which he did pioneer research.
He was director of research at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation
for fifteen years from 1951, and subsequently a Professor of Physics at
Carnegie Mellon University from 1968. There he remained to within a few
months of his death, working with undiminished clarity of mind and unclouded
intellectual curiosity.
A great interest of his later years had been solar energy, with research
into the possibility of using differences of temperature at varying ocean
depths to produce power at low cost without pollution. There can be little
doubt that theories in this field will be applied successfully before many
more years have passed.
Clifford Haigh Folkestone, Kent
Letters: Tong pong
David Tong (Letters, 7 August) asked how to remove the pong (sic) from
old books. My experience is as follows. Books published in the 1920s usually
have a faint and pleasant odour. The strength and beauty of this odour increases
linearly with age. My finest example (Tong Pong Index of 10) resides between
the boards of a Latin text published in 1553.
When fellow book collectors visit, I allow strictly time-limited sniffing
of my sixteenth and seventeenth century books. The time restraint followed
when I noticed a reduction of about 2 units on the Tong Pong scale per
person-hour of sniffing. It is probable that the simple act of having the
book open is the major contributor to this effect.
Nonetheless, the answer to David Tong’s question is obvious – take
the books out and read them, Sir, with an occasional precautionary sniff
pending further data on the subject. There is another solution, of course.
Book collectors usually land up living alone, so the social niceties of
book odour that so worry Tong at present will probably recede with time
– if he is a serious collector that is.
John Ashby Cheshire
Letters: Crystal clear
The correspondence on ice lollies (Letters, 17 July and 7 August) reminded
me of something I came across a long time ago before universal refrigeration.
I visited an ice factory and there they made opaque ice that was cloudy
in the middle like that from a domestic freezer, and transparent ice that
was very clear. Opaque ice was good enough for fishing boats but the more
expensive transparent ice looked better on fishmongers’ counters.
The difference in manufacture was that transparent ice was made by
bubbling air through the freezing tank. Perhaps someone will tell me why
the air improves the transparency of the ice.
Chris Parton Uddingston, Glasgow
Letters: Clean Kiwis
It is a matter of enormous concern to the farmers of New Zealand that
the article’s assertions and their subsequent wider publicity will not
only cause many New Zealanders unnecessary worries for their safety, but
could needlessly put in jeopardy vital New Zealand trade.
The article misses a key point. The author omits to mention that in
comparison with other countries New Zealand has very low levels of pollution
and contamination. In fact Helen Hughes, our parliamentary commissioner
for the environment, when commenting on the article, stated that ‘New Zealand’s
toxic waste problem was minute’ compared with the rest of the world.
In painting his picture of a poisoned paradise Michael Szabo has accused
by implication several major industries of callous carelessness. In fact,
these same New Zealand industries have been taking a responsible and proactive
role to minimise and reduce industry pollution. In doing so, they are clearly
demonstrating that they recognise this pollution as a reality that they
must conscientiously address.
G. B. Robertson Federated Farmers of New Zealand Ashburton, New Zealand
Letters: Premenstrual blues
It is difficult to see how re-naming the much debated and little understood
condition presently known as premenstrual syndrome is going to help anybody
except the American Psychiatric Association (‘Have periods, will seek therapy’,
31 July).
It is true that PMS does not really constitute a syndrome. No group
of concurrent symptoms characterises the disease. The nature of the symptoms
is not relevant. It is their timing in relation to the menstrual cycle which
is diagnostic and especially that they disappear with the full menstrual
flow.
It may well be that PMS has many causes. It is common to find that women
whose premenstrual difficulties are overwhelming have other serious life
problems, such as unhappy relationships, unsuitable accommodation and no
job. For at least part of each month they deal with these problems less
effectively because of PMS and it is not unlikely that their difficult
lives make their symptoms worse. It is not yet possible to say that one
causes the other.
The National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome exists to help the
many women who undoubtedly suffer not only their symptoms each month, but
also from being misunderstood, treated inappropriately by some members of
the medical profession and confused by the arguments between psychiatrists,
psychologists and feminists. One of the first tasks of NAPS support group
leaders and helpline answerers is to reassure many of their callers that
they are not going mad.
While many of the recurrent symptoms experienced by some women could
not possibly be called mental, such as conjunctivitis and acne, others,
such as mood swings and aggressive outbursts, are. But they are not necessarily
depressive even if ‘unspecified’. A wide variety of symptoms respond to
hormonal treatment.
Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to mental illness. In a society
which expects everyone to be competent, it is hard enough for the women
with severe PMS to admit that they cannot cope for part of each month.
They are less likely to seek help if they have to be diagnosed mentally
ill first.
The artificial distinction between so-called mental and biological
disorders is gradually being blurred as understanding of neurotransmitters
and hormone receptors improves. Until it disappears altogether and until
‘mental’ illness is no more shameful than a broken bone it is irresponsible
for the American Psychiatric Association, which is as ignorant of the aetiology
of PMS as the rest of us, to categorise PMS in this way.
Olive Ford National Association for Premenstrual Syndrome Sevenoaks,
Kent
Letters: Mindless rant
Given the usually high standard of Donald Gould’s writing, it is particularly
sad that he should lapse into mindless rant mode when discussing the
range of therapeutic methods he chooses to lump together as ‘alternative’,
‘unorthodox’ and ‘dissident’ (Forum, 31 July).
Given adequate resources (which it should be), Western medicine has
a pretty good record on treating such problems as diabetes, leaking heart
valves, ulcers and worn-out hip joints; and on dealing with serious infections.
However, there are plenty of other conditions – debilitating but not life-threatening
– for which, in many people’s experience, it is next to useless. Examples
include menstrual disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, recurrent
sinusitis, eczema and most forms of back pain.
Even committed sceptics like myself have been significantly helped by
acupuncture and osteopathy. And for all the successful ‘fancy modern pharmaceuticals’,
far too many with horrific side effects and extremely questionable therapeutic
value have been pushed onto the market to do their bit for the manufacturers’
share prices.
Reputable practitioners of complementary medicine will always wish to
be assured that ‘conventional’ tests have eliminated any serious pathological
cause for their patients’ symptoms. Of course, there are underqualified
practitioners and even downright quacks out there; recognition of the validity
of certain complementary therapies can only help by setting in place proper
validation schemes.
I can’t help feeling, also, that there’s some xenophobia behind all
this. The Chinese system of medicine, far from being a New Age aberration,
is based on a tradition as respectable as the Western system, and its doctors
undergo just as rigorous a qualification procedure. That we find it difficult
to explain in the same terms should not be a reason to condemn it out of
hand. As scientists, surely we should be keeping open minds.
Jane Teather London
Letters: Clean Kiwis
Your article ‘New Zealand’s poisoned paradise’ (31 July) is disappointing
for a scientific publication of such standing.
For example, to potential tourists, it says what you see (New Zealand’s
clean and green environment) is not what you get in reality. Two colourful
and appealing photos are used to illustrate tourist spots with a toxic threat
– but the photos are of natural geothermal phenomena. They present no evidence
of ‘the ravages of industrial pollution’ message.
To those who work in this field, most of these hazards. although not
insignificant in New Zealand terms, would hardly rank compared with the
scale of the problems faced by many other Western countries. The message
is out of proportion.
And to suggest ‘the government has yet to face up to the problem’ actually
contradicts other parts of the article which state what the government is
doing.
Further, it was the government that drew attention to ‘the problem’
in the first place by commissioning and publishing reports looking at the
issue.
The Worley report is quoted as warning of 7000 contaminated sites.
The article fails to mention that these sites are all the sites in New
Zealand where chemicals have been used, at all, ever, and include every
dry-cleaner, and every petrol station in the country, amongst others. In
other words, they are possible sites of contamination to some degree.
There is criticism that the government is ‘not setting basic cleanup
levels in law’, and that ‘guidelines are a meaningless waste of time’. Wrong.
Under the internationally acclaimed Resource Management Act, soon to be
published scientifically defensible guidelines on cleanup of selected timber
treatment chemicals will become legally binding standards as they are picked
up by regional councils.
You say, ‘public health could be at risk if people drink contaminated
water or eat contaminated fish’. Obviously, but in context please. A scientific
report published by the government places a higher likelihood of health
problems arising from the accumulation in the flesh of fish of mercury that
occurs naturally from the geothermal environment, than from PCP.
And to suggest, as implied by the photo, that Maori would be at risk
cooking their food in the geothermal waters of Rotorua is ludicrous.
In summary, New Zealand is clean and green. There are no poisonous chemical
waste dumps lurking behind every picturesque scene. The few – very few –
possible problem sites we do have, left over from a past, less environmentally
aware era, are being dealt with at a local and central government level,
efficiently and promptly, while legislation to prevent these sorts of problems
in the future is being prepared for the House this year.
W. Rob Storey Minister for the Environment Wellington, New Zealand
Letters: Clean Kiwis
Your article has created quite a fuss down here. From the timing of
the outcry (11 August onwards) it was obvious that the stir was created,
not so much by your publication of data concerning measured and potential
PCP contamination in New Zealand, but by the fact that your article was
subsequently reported in one of the major British papers, for all potential
tourists and buyers of New Zealand agricultural products to read. Our ‘clean
green’ image was under threat, not from the presence of up to 600 sites
where PCP, used for timber treatment, may have resulted in contamination,
but from the unpatriotic attitude of letting the rest of the world know
about them.
Our environment minister, on prime time television news, did not feel
he had to reassure the New Zealand public by explaining what the authorities
will do (and when) about this environmental and health risk – but he did
promise decisive action: he was going to write to your editor, complaining
about the article. So there!
Thank you, New 杏吧原创, for providing us with facts, and please keep
doing so – those that wish to see ‘clean and green’ to be a reality rather
than an advertising slogan will continue to need such articles.
Mr and Mrs Adams Okura, Albany, New Zealand