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comprised of projects for which there was a priority need, which appeared
to have loan sanction potentialities and which, bearing in mind the
Borough's commitments for other services, were more in line with what
could be coped with financially. The content of this new programme was
1970/71 extension to the special care unit—Junior Training School and
accommodation for health visitors—Elmwood Clinic; 1971/72 Home for
the Elderly—Stanmore, and 1972/73 Hostel for Subnormal Adults.
Generally speaking the vital statistics for 1969 show practically no
variation when compared with those for 1968. Apart from a population
decrease of 520 to a figure of 207,700 and a fall in the birth—rate to a
figure of 14.6 per 1,000 population, the infant, neo—natal, early neo—natal,
peri—natal, mortality rates and also the death rate were practically unchanged.
Once again there were no maternal deatfis and in general the
local statistics compare favourably with the national rates.
The most interesting feature of the infectious disease pattern during
the year was the low incidence in measles in what was expected to be a
scheduled epidemic year in the epidemiology of the disease. Vaccination
against measles was introduced during 1968 and in all probability has
produced this change. Observation of notifications over the next few
years should give further information on the degree of immunity produced
by the new vaccine. The research work in collaboration with the Public
Health Laboratory Service to identify the serotypes responsible for cases
of whooping cough continued during the year at a much slower pace
however due to the fall in the number of cases of whooping cough! On a
more general theme apart from a slight rise in cases of food poisoning
and a fall in cases of dysentery, there was very little else of note in the
infectious diseases notified during the year.
Yet another year passes in the fluoridation saga with still no progress
regarding the addition of fluoride to the water supplies of the Borough.
In Circular 8/69 the Secretary of State for Social Services drew attention
to a new report "Fluoridation Studies in the United Kingdom and the
Results Achieved after Eleven Years". This report added to the large
volume of evidence already available on the efficacy and safety of
fluoridation. It demonstrated that fluoridation led to a substantial
reduction of dental caries in temporary teeth and also a substantial
reduction in the number of decayed permanent teeth in the study areas.
The strikingly good appearance of teeth of children in these study areas
was remarked upon by many dentists. The report confirms the complete
safety of adjusting the natural fluoride content of water to a level of 1 part
per million and also demonstrated the adverse effects on children's teeth
by the decision to stop fluoridation in Kilmarnock in 1962. As there is
still one authority not in favour of fluoridation in the water undertaker's
statutory area of supply, no action can be taken to supply fluoridated
water to the Borough. Quite frankly this to my mind is a national matter
which in order to get some uniform action and progress throughout the
Country will have to be dealt with by central legislation.