Letter: Sting in the tale

Sir: While sea-bathing as a young child in Barbados, I put my hand out to capture a large iridescent 'bubble'. Unfortunately, this was a jellyfish and its sting set off my piercing screams, which continued for a long time while everything was done to relieve the pain. Finally, the West Indian cook recommended the local treatment, a large tot of rum, which was administered and had the desired effect of sending me off to sleep.

Sixty years on I still have two tiny marks on the palm of my right hand as a permanent reminder of my attempt to capture a jellyfish.

Yours sincerely,

CYNTHIA COULTHARD

Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire