Thirty years and a world war after the Crawleys invented the role of consultant butler for the palsied Carson (Downton’s fantasy comes to an end with a final show of class, 26 December), my butler grandfather was showing the first symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The lady of the house instructed my grandmother to tell him that if he didn’t leave of his own accord, he’d be sacked. So he lost his dignity along with his job, home and health.
It wasn’t the first time he’d lost a job. As a young footman he was let go when his employer became an ambassador and required a household of uniform height to look good serving at banquets.
Jill Burrows
Hadleigh, Suffolk
• A very poignant point in Saturday night’s final episode of ITV’s Downton Abbey was the “palsy” that afflicted Mr Carson. Essential tremor, as it is currently referred to, is a debilitating condition, often erroneously likened to Parkinson’s disease. It causes shaking in the hands or any other part of the body. It is an extremely frustrating condition, its causes unknown and virtually completely unresearched.
The only methods of control of essential tremor are alcohol – not the most advisable cure for anything, or betablockers – not always suitable. I am always most grateful for the help that family, friends, waiters and complete strangers offer when they notice that I am struggling to carry something.
While it renews my faith in people, research and a possible cure would be appreciated.
Dr Simon Katzenellenbogen
Manchester
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