Humphrey McQueen's critique of Brian Matthew's Manning Clark: A Life (''Not meeting the history man'' Panorama November 15, p11) is a boring response to what seems like an exciting read.
Who cares about Professor Clark's management of the Australian National University history department when his larger-than-life experiences are there for all to see in racy personal diaries?
Manning Clark was foremost an artist, and as such had a licence to live life to the full.
McQueen should familiarise himself with the lives of Picasso, D.H. Lawrence, Lord Byron, Brett Whiteley and especially Manning's Australian idol, Henry Lawson.
These artists' lives were not tied to the tedium of organisation.
Manning Clark was an incurable romantic, a tormented religious doubter, a libertine, a womaniser, a drunk, a superb writer and one of Australia's greatest iconoclasts.
Frank Boddy, Lyons Snake bite first aid
Frank Rigby (Letters, November 15, pB6) has provided good general bushwalking safety advice.
Unfortunately the first aid that he has described for snake bite is incorrect.
Tourniquets have not been recommended as snake bite first aid in Australia for many years.
A tourniquet will cut off circulation of blood to the bitten limb.
And if left on too long may lead to serious, permanent damage to the limb.
If the victim is in a remote location, this could potentially result in loss of the limb.
Correct first aid for snake bite is the pressure immobilisation bandage technique approved by the Australian Resuscitation Council, and taught by accredited first-aid training providers in Australia.
This technique restricts the flow of venom via the lymphatic system, without cutting off the blood supply.
A broad, heavy crepe pressure bandage should be applied over the bite site as soon as possible, at least as tight as for a sprained ankle.
Another presure immobilisation bandage should be applied from the fingers or toes of the bitten limb, extending upwards as far as possible.
The limb should be firmly splinted to restrict movement and the victim should be kept still.
The victim should be taken by ambulance to hospital.
Do not catch the snake; hospitals can use venom detection kits to choose the correct antivenom if it is required.
Not all snake bites result in envenomation, so not all victims of snake bite will require antivenom.
The correct first aid can be life-saving.
Geoff Newman-Martin, consultant toxinologist, Gordon
Head in the sand
I agree that the Bowen Drive crossing is dangerous ('Canberra Drive Crossing 'will kill someone''', November 13, p8).
It seems the National Capital Authority agrees as well, as its spokes-woman has recommended cyclists not use it.
This is very different from what most authorities do. When they realise they have a dangerous intersection they actually do work to improve it, rather than stick their head in the sand and tell people not to use it.
Indeed, when there was a fatal accident at the Limestone Avenue/ Fairburn Avenue/Anzac Parade intersection, the NCA presumably figured out that telling people not to use it wouldn't work.
Instead, it approved the installation of a roundabout at the intersection.
Let's hope we don't have to wait until there is a serious injury at Bowen Drive crossing before the NCA acts.
I urge the NCA to follow the recommendation of engineer John Skurr (Letters, November 14) to install a ramp (cost: $250,000) off the Kings Avenue Bridge down to the bike path.
Jane McEwen, Lyons