Lactose Anguish

To the Editors of The Crimson:

As another lactose intolerant, I found Josh Sharfstein's Op-ed piece, "Liberty, Equality, Ice Cream" (Oct. 11). to be particularly poignant and timely.

Just yesterday evening, upon the completion of my Spanakopita, I arose from my chair and went to make myself a hot fudge sundae. I returned to the table holding a dish heaped with two large scoops of vanilla ice cream and literally dripping with hot fudge. As I zealously prepared to devour this modern-day ambrosia, I was struck with a horrible thought: I had forgotten to bring with me my Lactaid tablets! (Some of The Crimson's lactose-intolerant readers may not be aware that the Lactaid company also produces chewable tablets which enable some intolerants to digest milk products, if one-half to three tablets are consumed with one's first bite of ice cream or sip of milk.)

I deperately rummaged through my knapsack--as the other attendees of the Mather Hebrew Table looked on--but to no avail. I then faced a terrible dilemma--to indulge in the ice cream sundae and later suffer the consequences or to stoically resist the urge and explain to the Hebrew table (in Hebrew!) why I would let an absolutely enticing ice cream sundae go to waste. I chose the former but never again.

I want to thank Josh Sharfstein for showing me that I am not alone in lactose-related anguish. Ellen L. Chubin '90

P.S. May I suggest that we start a counseling group--Lactose Intolerants Anonymous?