16 NOVEMBER 1991, Page 41

Head in the cold

Sir: Mr Thornton asks (Letters, 9 Novem- ber), whether Anthony Blunt's face could really have gone lop-sided through sitting next to an open train window. Yes: the con- dition is quite well known, and is caused by the c91d draught chilling and damaging the facial nerve on that side. It's called Bell's Palsy, as it was first described by Sir Charles Bell in 1830. It was once common among London taxi drivers before taxis had proper front windows; and still is in dogs which will stick their heads out of car win- dows in the coldest weather. Recovery takes a year or so, and may not be com- plete.

Ralph Hancock

17 Queen's Gate Place, London SW7