Name changes

I once speculated, in an article on how unfair life can be, that somewhere out there, there must be a Susan Doku, someone who had lived for many years perfectly content with their unremarkable name.

A woman called Susie Doku duly wrote to me, confirming my thesis.

However, I think she had it lucky.

In the latest edition of the British Medical Journal, the death is recorded of a man who was given his name many years before anyone would have noticed it.

The details of what was clearly a good life and a distinguished career are given. We are also told the deceased had "a keen sense of humour". I suspect that this property of Dr Donald Duck must have been oft-tested.