To the Editor: Drs. Hughes and Kalmer categorically suggest there is no justification for use of talcum powder in infant care (The Journal, 111: 653-654, 1966). The hazards of its use are well demonstrated. However, most all skin preparations in common use (ie, oils, lotions, etc) in infants can be dangerous if improperly used.
I suggest that talc is quite valuable and should be used with proper caution. It certainly has a comforting effect as an absorbent. It would be interesting to hear comment from Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Kalmer about the correlative effect of nonuse of talc on their children and the environmental temperature in Louisville.
Editors of the American Journal of Diseases of Children believe that pertinent letters-to-the-editor regarding papers published in its pages are not only of interest to subscribers, but also often scientifically valuable in expanding knowledge or in delineating areas of legitimate controversy. To appear