23 NOVEMBER 1962, Page 18

SIR,—Whilst not disagreeing with your opinion on the verdict in

the Vandeput case, may 1 point out that, regarding mongols, it is possible to recognise this at birth in almost every case and not 'several weeks after,' as you suggest? The question of when to tell the mother then. of course, becomes a difficult problem causing disagreement amongst the profession.

But no doctor would ever wish to have this power of life or death thrust upon him—as could well be if the Vandeput verdict were followed through to its logical conclusion.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER