Sir, - Like all of us, the Minister of Health, Mr Cowen, is properly concerned about the present shortage of beds in many parts of the country, but sure things could be worse. In 1808 La Touche's Commission reported on the conditions obtaining in the Dublin hospitals. Among other findings it disclosed that in the Richmond Hospital in ward 18 there were 48 female lunatics in 24 single beds; in ward 16 there were 42 males in 27 beds; in ward 15, 50 males in 25 beds; and in ward 13, 50 females, each nursing a child, in 25 beds. At least things are now a bit better, bad and all as they may be.- Yours, etc., John Fleetword (Snr),
Proby Square, Blackrock, Co Dublin.