Something smells fishy

It is reassuring to learn from James Boyle (letters, 29 August) that the allegation that children who eat fish twice a week have double the risk of a stroke in later life, is based on a survey conducted in the late 1930s on 4,000 children who subsequently had strokes in later life.

Sadly, we now seem to be living in an age of scaremongering based on dubious research, and some mothers may believe this claim and stop providing fish for their children.

(Dr) DAVID PURVES

Strathalmond Road

Edinburgh