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The Research Committee has therefore reached the conclusion that no harmful
effects from the addition one part per million fluoride to drinking water has been
demonstrated by any of the extensive medical evidence which they collected and
reviewed. In their opinion the general raising of the fluoride content in drinking
water to this level is safe"
The teeth act as the body's portcullis against its meals, and strengthening
of the teeth strengthens the whole body, while weakening of the whole body weakens
the teeth. I personally regard fluoridation of water as an important health
matter as vaccination against poliomyelitis or as BCG vaccination against tuberculosis.
It will save tens of thousands of children from torture and terror in the
night.
HEALTH EDUCATION
Home Safety
'The disease of accidents' said Professor A.J.H. Raynes in 1961 'accounts for
some 23,000 deaths in England and Wales every year'. 'Accidents occurring in the
home account for over a third of all these deaths, injuries a little more than those
incurred in some form of travel.' (About 2^ m. per year)
A Home Safety Poster Competition was held in the Edmonton schools in the
Autumn term of 1961, the subject of Fire Prevention. Each schoolboy or girl
submitting a poster received a red and white ball pen bearing the slogan 'Fire.'
Prevented^ 212 entries were received from 17 junior schools and one senior school
and the best senior school poster and the best junior school pooster received a prize
from the Council and also went on to compete in the County competition. The best
poster from each school also received a prize and there were prizes given to highly
commended entries. The prizewinners were presented with their prizes by the Mayor
in the Council Chamber on the 13th February 1962. 2,000 copies of the fire prevention
code had been distributed to the libraries and 2,000 copies to the
Edmonton Trades Council and a home safety bulletin had been produced in the Health
Department and sent to all school children. During 1962 Health Education was mainly
background in nature on home safety. Posters were displayed on the dangers of gas
and poisons and book marks were distributed to libraries. The libraries are now
getting a little saturated with book marks.
The report of the Royal College of Physicians of London on smoking in relation
to cancer of the lung and other diseases 'Smoking and Health' came out in 1962 and
every opportunity was taken to reinforce its impact. Posters were shown both on
our own and commercial boards and the Librarian reluctantly accepted further book
marks, leaflets and pamphlets, and advantage was taken of the Central Council of
Health Education offer of a mobile team to talk particularly to the younger generation.
It was decided to take the unit for eight school days and to deal with as
many schools as possible in the time. The team reinforced and critically assessed
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