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minority of 8 authorities have consistently opposed such action and
the Metropolitan Water Board is persisting in its policy of not
introducing fluoridation until there is unanimity among the authorities
supplied.
Most of the objections other than 'ethical' arise from the
mistaken idea, fostered by eccentrics, that artificially introduced
fluoride into water supply is 'poisonous, gives rise to various diseases,
spoils beer, boosts the profits of aluminium companies, etc., etc.',
accusations which have never been substantiated under strict examination.
Indeed investigations carried out on behalf of the Arthritis
and Rheumatism Council for Research seem to show that it has
some preventive action in rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, other
experiments in Britain and the U.S.A. into substantial and sustained
doses of fluoride salts have shown that there is no chance of any
toxic effect from fluoridation of water supplies. Investigations have
indicated that with a fluoride intake many times greater than the
levels proposed for drinking water, the fluoride content of the body
cell fluids never rises above an early peak of 2 p.p.m. The new
research shows not that a few parts per million of fluoride can be
beneficial (this has already been proved) but that it is virtually
impossible to produce damaging concentrations of fluoride by oral
methods. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that fluoride has
beneficial effects in forms of skeletal decay and that regeneration of
bone occurs under treatment without adverse effects on the mineral
balances of the body. Bone porosity is reduced and a decrease in the
incidence of fractures has been observed as has the fact that high
levels of fluoride tend to prevent bone calcium loss associated with
inactivity. This is of great importance in geriatrics and treatment of
long-term immobile patients.
Far from being the menace as some would have us suppose, it
seems that uses of fluoride in preventive medicine are grossly
underrated.
Public Baths and Washhouses
There are 4 Borough Council Public Baths, 2 Public Washhouses
and a Council Launderette