I refer to the article Manneken Pis To Be Dressed Up As Knight Of Malta! (May 26), which noted that the world famous statue in Brussels, Belgium, will don a knight's costume for a few days beginning June 19. As the article noted, the statue known as Manneken Pis means "little peeing boy" and although the origin of the statue is shrouded in the mists of history, the current bronze statue is known to have existed in the 15th century, having been commissioned in the year 1619 to replace an earlier and older one.

The article also alluded to ancient folklore which claimed that the boy urinated to save the city from fire. That would be a Herculean Effort in itself. Regardless of that, the statue is a popular tourist attraction, and that has positive implications. However, some people registered objections that the statue is obscene and vulgar. Although I understand their viewpoints, it is sad that some people always look for negativity in practically any situation and in any venue.

I wish that people involved with this statue and its commemorative value could turn all negatives into positives. It should be stressed that the statue will be wearing a costume of the Sovereign Military and Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Their mission was "Defence of the Faith and assistance to the poor". As a Hospitaller Order, the knights focused on caring for the sick, nursing people back to health and making steady, progressive advancements in medicine to comfort the sick and to cure a wide range of diseases.

One of the most needed and useful medical inventions is the urinary catheter. Anyone who has been hospitalised and who needed such a device can well appreciate its valuable contribution to restoring healthy body function. Since the Manneken Pis statue is set to wear the costume of a Knight of Malta, I would suggest that it be entirely clothed in a knight's robes and discreetly have a catheter tube running unnoticeable to the opposite end of the fountain.

At first glance, if the statue was fully clothed, no person could complain that it was obscene in any way; and the few people who did look closer to discover the intricacies of the subtle catheter would have opportunity to pause and reflect with gratitude on the medical advancements championed by the Knights in their devoted care of the sick and frail in hospitals worldwide.