Daily doses
Sir: I was very interested to learn from the review of West Downs: A Portrait of an English Prep School (Books, 26 September) that the period spent at Stagenhoe Park from 1958-61 was not a uniquely bizarre experience. 'Religion, Discipline, Health' Just about summed it up, and the daily Virol, thermometer and supervision of bowel movements were also routine.
With regard to the latter, a chart for each boy was maintained with a tick indicating a successful movement and a 'D' recording both immobility and the necessity for a dose of laxative. Day One involved milk of magnesia, Day Two escalated to syrup of fi. gs and stubborn resistance into Day Three Involved liquid paraffin. I do not recall a case of Day Four ever having arisen.
Particularly poignant was the situation of any boy whose movement occurred outside the designated period and could not there- fore be authenticated by the matron — milk of magnesia would still be adminis- tered.
When the school closed down in the 1960s I was not altogether sorry.
G.C.S. Gates
The Old School House, Brandiston, Norwich
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