LET me hasten to assure George Cowley and others that I intended no disrespect to former patients in my recent reference to Powick Lunatic Asylum. Indeed, at the period of which I was writing, its official name was Worcestershire County Lunatic Asylum.
There is nothing disrespectful in the word "lunatic". It derives from a belief that some form of mental illness was associated with phases of the moon, and who knows that there may not be an element of truth in this?
I think it's rather sad that the ignorance and intolerance of certain sections of the public forced the authorities to bring about a change of name.
When someone has recovered from mental illness to the extent of being able to communicate intelligently and amusingly by regular contributions in the Press that is a factor to be encouraged by reasonable people, not ridiculed or decried.
JOHN HINTON,
Worcester.
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