4 JULY 1998, Page 38

Sir: Enthusiasm for hygiene led Baden- Powell to suggest in

Scouting for Boys that boys keep their noses clean by sniffing up salt water, and others to colonic lavage, Lysol baths and twice daily gargles; and no `Oh, good, you're gossiping. We adore listening to boys gossip.' doubt some of us wash our ear canals daily.

But please let the small boy's foreskin be. It will happily look after itself until puberty unless someone's meddling causes damage and admits infection.

T.H. Hughes-Davies FRCP

Slades Cottage, Breamore, Fordingbridge, Hampshire