The Editor, Sir:

Dr. Rebecca Tortello is a remarkable person. She, by virtue of research and erudition, has opened new vistas into history, making subjects comes alive as she delves into our past.

I find her report on yellow fever particularly interesting since it outlines for all just how much modern medicines and research have changed our lives.

Indeed, now when our life expectancy is the same as that of persons in the metropole, her opening quote that formerly a "trip to Jamaica was an almost sure death sentence" is both poignant and factual. Compare and contrast this to now, when we are about to record the greatest number of visitors in any one year to our 'safe' island.

Her accounts of the hundreds of deaths at Fort Augusta are even made more tragic by the sad neglect of the British Government and its Defence Ministry of the military cemetery there, on the lands adjoining Fort Augusta. This is even more shameful when you contrast this with the care that the Jamaican Government provides at Up Park Camp; the Americans at Arlington and the French at Flanders. Fort Augusta Cemetery lying just outside the fort should never be overgrown, destroyed and neglected. It should be seen as a treasure of the British People, honouring those who have given their lives in service to their country.

Thanks again to the Gleaner Company for so educating our young people that we can now appreciate those who have gone before - for this is the stuff of nation building.

I am, etc.,

Dr. JEPHTHAH FORD

Vanford Medical Centre

Kingston 19