Sedative sherry

SIR – When I was a house physician in the 1970s, the nine o’clock drug round included a drink for the patients. I used to join them for a can of stout (Letters, June 3), although some of the gents preferred a whisky. They were not however impressed by the dose as administered by the staff nurse.

The ladies were perked up by a sherry, and benefited by a sedative other than the benzodiazepines or barbiturates on offer, which left them dopey for most of the next day.

David Nunn

West Malling, Kent

SIR – Fifty years ago I was a male orderly at our local cottage hospital. Among my duties was rolling cigarettes for the occupants of the men’s ward.

Nick Bell

Upton, Hampshire