12 JANUARY 1951, Page 16

Thoracoplasty

SIR,—Dr. M. E. Lampard, in the Spectator of January 5th, states that "the operation of thoracoplasty costs the State about £1,000, and sometimes cures T.B." If it sometimes cures some unfortunate person, surely the money is very well spent. But why does it cost so much? Before the war I had this operation as a private patient and it cured me. I paid a first-class London surgeon 100 guineas, which included attendance after the operation, an anaesthetist 25 guineas, a nursing home £95 (12 guineas a week for seven weeks ,plus extras). This comes to about £220. Why does it cost £1,000 under the Health Service 7—Yours, &c.,

EX-PATIENT.