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During the year, applications were made by hospitals in three cases for adaptations
to be made to patients' homes for this purpose. In each case, the necessary
work was promptly put in hand and the patient was enabled to return home and
resume work.
Hypothermia
The measures taken in 1968 to combat hypothermia in babies and old people
were maintained during the year and, early in December, a reminder on this subject
was circulated to general practitioners, the Council's field staff and associated agencies
as a measure of prevention.
There is full co-ordination of voluntary and statutory agencies to give practical
help in all cases of suspected hypothermia.
A store of bagged fuel is available through the Welfare Department to meet
urgent short-term need in circumstances where other supplies are not immediately
available.
The British Red Cross Society provide kits containing blankets, hot water bottles
and a thermos flask for hot beverages.
To reduce as far as possible the incidence of this condition, elderly people are
persuaded, where necessary, to conserve heat by temporary use of the living room
for sleeping. The British Red Cross Society assists in moving beds downstairs where
this is expedient.
Home Nurses and staff visiting the elderly carry a low-reading thermometer.
The domiciliary midwives are continually aware of the danger of cold injury in
the new-born, and advise expectant mothers in the measures necessary to prevent
this.
No instances of morbidity or mortality due to hypothermia were reported.
Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies
Department of Health and Social Security Circular 8/69 was received in July.
In this circular the Secretary of State invited attention to the report compiled by the
Committee on Research into Fluoridation entitled ''Fluoridation Studies in the
United Kingdom and the Results Achieved after Eleven Years''.This report
confirmed the findings of the 1962 five-year report on the Conduct of Fluoridation
Studies in the United Kingdom, which had demonstrated that fluoridation led to a
substantial reduction of dental decay in temporary teeth. The new report found
a substantial reduction in the number of decayed permanent teeth among children in
the study areas and confirmed the complete safety of adjusting the natural fluoride
content of water to a level of one part per million. All local health authorities which
had not yet decided in favour of fluoridation were asked to consider the matter
further in the light of the additional evidence contained in the report.
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