26 APRIL 1975, Page 6

Sans everything

Sir: Seeing No 853 (Test question) Competition in The Spectator for the week ending April 5, I was reminded of an incident in my life about the age of five when I was poorly, and our loved and revered "family doctor" was fetched. Taking my liJe hand he said, "Put your tongue out"! but I withdrew it frightened and nearly in tears as I said "Oh no! I must never do that, Nannie says its very rude!"

As I am now ninety-two and clinging to my enjoyable independence I thank Mr John Linklater for 'sans everything' — the cleverest, truest, brainiest, most understanding, sympathetic and true assessment of the average geriatric. Examining the tongue seems to have been a general first diagnosis!

Ida M. Marmont

19 St Paul's Road, Bournemouth