Failure of science

Human loss due to tsunami could have easily been avoided had Indian geologists been a little more active (Furious waves, January 3). It's a pity that earthquake sensors either missed the underwater tremors in Sumatra or failed to respond promptly. Mainland India had ample time to respond because the high-amplitude waves took more than an hour to be transmitted thousands of miles across the sea. Instantaneous detection of the tectonic movement and a coordinated administrative action could have alerted the coastal people. Transporting men and women a few hundred metres away would have saved thousands of lives.

Shouvik Chattopadhyay
Sodepur

Pain in the tummy

With reference to Useless but tricky organ (December 13), although medical science has taken giant leaps in recent years, doctors still find it difficult to diagnose appendicitis in time. The article reminded me of my suffering four years ago, when a doctor diagnosed it as a case of gastroenteritis. The real problem was identified when the situation became critical. Shortly before this incident, a neighbour had died of a swollen appendix because doctors had failed to gauge the problem. I think such mishaps still happen in small towns or villages deprived of adequate medical facilities. I wonder why the tricky organ didn't become extinct defying Darwin's theory of evolution.

Ashutosh Kumar Pandey
Morigaon, Assam

Pressure on doctors

Medical malpractice suits should never be misused to frame doctors (Patients that doctors fear most, December 27). The straitjacketed legal framework in the US inspires lawyers to trap medical practitioners. Doctors can never practise freely if they have to work under such pressure. They are bound to fumble, and medical mistakes can never be done way with.

Arun Sarkar
Nadia