Correspondence

KERRINSTA-CHAR ACTIVATED CHARCOALPRODUCT

To the Editor:-In reply to “Container Residue After the Administration of Aqueous Activated Charcoal Products” by Drs Krenzelok and Lush, Kerr Insta-Char was inaccurately presented.

Kerr Insta-Char 50 g was described to be in two 25-g con- tainers. Kerr Insta-Char, the first ready to use activated char- coal product specifically designed for hospital emergency use, has always been packaged only in 50 g/8 oz and 15 g/4 oz con- tainers.

We challenge the authors to produce the Kerr Insta-Char in 25 g bottles that they claim they tested.

If they cannot, we ask that they publish a retraction of all their conclusions as regards Kerr Insta-Char that appeared in this article.

SAULS.SAULSON

Vice President Frank W. Kerr Chemical Co Novi, MI

LESSPROBLEMSFOREARS!

To the Editor:-In reply to Dr Douglas Lindsey’s letter (Am J Emerg Med 1991;9:297), I agree that we should (1) stop washing out ears and (2) treat aggressively even minor pseudomonal otitis. The setting up of aural care clinics in general practices has proven that the community responds to knowledgeable advice about correct ear care. which in time is eliminating a large percentage of ear irriga- tions. It is now understood that the ear has a “self-cleaning mech- anism” and that cerumen, if kept soft with the occasional applica- tion of olive oil, will migrate out of the ear naturally (especially when encouraged every 6 months by a trained nurse if the ear makes excessive wax). There is no longer a need for regular washing out of wax from the ears. Thank you for the privilege of reading your journal. I am happy to correspond with you even though I am in England, with English ideas!

ROSEMARY W.RODGERS

Aural Screening Facilitator Stag Medical Centre South Yorkshire, England

97