Fluoridation

Press, 7 October 1980, Page 26

Fluoridation

Sir, — Alistair McElwee (September 27) found “Margaret Heap's assumption that the masticating process can, in some way. affect one’s mental • abilities, very unusual.” The psychologist. Dr F. S. Feris*. deaij with

this relationship in his book,: “Ego, Hunger and Aggression" Dr - Peris argued that people who were undiscriminating in their acceptance of .food, and who were- inclined to. swallow it without mastication, showed similar mental traits, “swallowing” indoctrination whole, indiscriminately, without “masti--cating” it. I had already observed this relationship and its corollary during active military service: Filling the stomach was the primary objective of. .most soldiers. The cubes of water buffalo meat — too tough to chew or cut with a table knife — they’, evidently swallowed whole. I starved rather than do likewise. Dr Elie A.' Cohen a psychologist, observed how the conditioning of concentration camp prisoners, forced to drink and eat food chosen for them, rather than' by them,. damaged their mental integrity. — Yours,, etc., " ■ ' , PAUL MATING. ’ October 2, 1980.