Question: I noticed in today's Spokesman-Review (Sept. 30) that your newspaper's description of the mask placed on Otto Zehm's face does not match your verbal description in today's and earlier editions of your paper. You have referred to the plastic mask having a "dime-size hole" for air to enter. However, both depictions of the mask illustrated in today's paper and earlier editions show a "dime-size circle containing several smaller than 'BB' size holes."

There is a huge difference in the amount of air intake available in the masks your newspaper illustrated and one with a "true" dime-size hole. Perhaps this fact should be mentioned in future articles about the Otto Zehm incident -- William McKenzie

Response: Bill Morlin, one of the reporters who has been covering the Otto Zehm case, offers the following thoughts:

The main breathing hole in the "non-rebreather" mask is indeed "dime-sized." There also are a few smaller, pencil-lead sized holes on the sides of the mask. The smaller holes are intended to limit condensation when pure oxygen is being supplied the patient) All this, however, is somewhat irrelevant inasmuch as the Fire Department (and the manufacturer) have said these types of masks are only intended for use WITH an oxygen supply that is being fed to the patient, NOT as "anti-spitting" devices such as was the intended purpose with Otto Zehm.

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