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LETTERS: Mike Starr Malaria affects children and pregnant women most BMJ 2000; 321: 1288 [Full text]

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Selective use of the word "may"

J R Harper   (9 January 2001)

Selective use of the word "may" 9 January 2001
J R Harper Send response to journal: Re: Selective use of the word "may"	Editor - Can I make a plea for the more selective use of the word "may" in the titles of clinical items and letters in the B.M.J. For example, a recent communication describing the total uselessness, and indeed potential danger, of using homeopathic medication for the attempted prevention of malaria (ref 1) was titled as "Homeopathy MAY(My capitals) not be effective in preventing malaria". This could be taken to indicate that there was some editorial doubt about the matter, and give a casual reader a misleading impression on a serious clinical problem. Am I a pedant, or do readers agree? Dr. J.R. Harper, Paediatrician, Northampton. Ref 1. Delannay P, Cua E, Lucas P, Marty P.Homeopathy may not be effective in preventing malaria. B.M.J. 2000, 321. 1288.