(3 of 4)
Dr. Ahrens of the Rockefeller Institute was the first to confirm our observations. But as recently as 1957, Dr. Keys was still maintaining vigorously in public and in private that this talk about differences between vegetable and animal fats was sheer nonsense, that is to say, fats were fats and all of them were bad. None of the foregoing is intended to detract from Dr. Keys's interesting contributions regarding dietary habits of the world population.
LAURANCE W. KINSELL, M.D. Oakland, Calif.
Sir:
You state that "nicotinic acid, to be effective [in controlling blood cholesterol], must be administered in massive doses. The result: flushing, itching, nausea, headaches, changes in the blood."
This is a misleading generalization because flushing and itching disappear, except in very few cases, after the first days of treatment, and transient nausea and headaches are encountered infrequently. Changes in the blood have, to my knowledge, not been reported. On the other hand, from your report one gains the impression that a restriction of fat intake will always lead to a significant lowering of blood cholesterol. This is not the case, and it is especially in refractory cases that nicotinic acid has proved its value. Nicotinic acid is not indicated for cooperative patients whose blood cholesterol responds to dietary restrictions.
RUDOLF ALTSCHUL, M.D. University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Canada
Sir:
We all have to go, Dr. Keys,
But the guy with the "heart" goes with
ease.
So why give up butter and cheese
And wait for some ghastly disease?
MRS. IRWIN DIAMOND San Anselmo, Calif.
How to Get Elected in Texas
Sir:
In your footnote regarding the special election in April to elect a successor to ex-Senator Lyndon Johnson, you state that William A. Blakely is "standing" for Johnson's seat. Heah in Texas we're still "running" for political office; in England they "stand" for office.
Since Senator Blakely will have at least a dozen candidates opposing him, he had better be "running," else he will be left "standing."
W. F. RILEY Ennis, Texas
Bread into Stone
Sir:
The back of me hand to C. H. Dodd [who heads the group working on a new translation of the Bible]. The "archaic phrases" are one of the features that make the Bible the jewel that it is. If the "moderns" want seduction, incest, etc., it's all there for them, only in poetic form. What modern novel cuts a prostitute in twelve pieces, one to be sent to each tribe of Israel?
B. J. WILLIAMS Evanston, Ill.
Sir: