19 JULY 1968, Page 30

Head man shock

Sir : It is with much regret that I am telling out newsagent to stop sending me the SPECTATOR. It is tragic that a paper with such long and honourable traditions should have so lowered them.

An article by Mr J. Wells in your issue of

12 July is the last straw. It is entitled 'Head man shock' and is a scarcely concealed attack on Dr Christiaan Barnard, the South African medical profession and to a certain extent our on medical profession, and a general attack on south Africa and its policies and conduct. It is such a barrage of utterly childish non- sense, almost meaningless, and in shocking taste: on a par with some of the stuff one used to read in prep school days.

Is it due to jealousy of Professor Barnard's skill and that of his colleagues or just hatred of South Africa?

Anyhow it's enough for me. I think the article is vile.

J. F. Whitacre Allen

Flat 10, Edinburgh Place, Earls Avenue, Folkestone