THE INTRUDING FATHER
Sm,—It is now about five and twenty years since as an undergraduate medical student I heard a talk from Dr. Crichton-Miller. It is, I think, therefore, unlikely that his letter to you on the above subject is based on any recent personal experience of his on the relations of a father returning home to his family after a long period with the Forces. He is probably making general deductions from the limited field of the pathological cases who come for consultation to the professional psychologist. As an intruding father of this war, I would like to warn any who feel tempted to take the advice of Dr. Crichton-Miller that it is not a good idea for the wife to signalise the return of her husband from abroad after four or five years' absence by leaving home. At its worst, such an act is liable to be misconstrued, and at its best it causes the gravest difficulties in the house. The returned soldier is not familiar with the intricacies of civilian rationing, and die precipitate departure of the domestic head' of the household is likely to lead to considerable discomfort which can easily lead to a break-up of the home.
I admit that in propounding a disagreement with Dr. Crichton-Miller I am writing as one who is not bound strictly by his terms of Teference.
He says in his letter: " Assume that the child has been taught to kiss the phOmigiaith of the father 7 My children were not instructed in this unpleasant and unhygienic act, no: were the Children of my friends who served ahroad with me. Which again leads one to -supPose that he is- making general deductions from a limited field of PatholOgieal cases, a
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very dangerous and unscientific procedure,Yonrs faithfully, ,
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