To the Editor.—
I am disappointed with E. G. Dimond's recent COMMENTARY, "Women in Medicine: The Future of Women Physicians" (1983; 249:207). A number of my objections are covered by Dr Heins in her judicious "Medicine and Motherhood" (1983;249:209). Dr Dimond's discussion of the tasks of motherhood covers only the visible work, ie, the cleaning, shopping, and cooking. This work can be delegated as Dr Dimond states, although not as easily as he imagines. However, Dr Dimond does not explore the provision of that deep and intangible rapport, the talking and the daily discipline that must, I have learned through my work as a psychiatrist, be present for a child to develop as a whole, feeling, and comfortable human being. This larger task requires emotional availability and energy. I have observed that few persons, male or female, have sufficient energy to handle a full medical practice and still provide deep