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9
natural and artificially treated waters, has been present in the drinking
water of millions since time immemorial, and for up to eighteen years
has been artificially added to the water of 43 millions in the United States,
and in spite of misleading statements to the contrary, a million a year are
added to that total. Some of the arguments against the measure are selfdefeating.
We are told not to introduce a "rat-poison* into the drinking
water, when a couple of bath-tubs full or more must be drunk at one go for
any ill-effect, but instead we should issue this "potent catalase cumulative
poison" in pill form in welfare centres to mothers to leave lying
about the house! One of the foremost antagonists of the measure informs us
that some 10 minerals are needed to make sound teeth, and objects to our
adding one (the proven one) and not the other nine (unproven). We are
reminded of that almost fofgotten battle of long ago against the pasteurisation
of milk. Freedom to drink raw milk was demanded, the "evil effects"
of pasteurisation were drummed into our ears. I doubt if anyone now deplores
the passing of that freedom, the freedom for children to suffer and die from
tuberculosis. In years to come we shall not regret the passing of the freedom
of our children to have toothache.
HEALTH EDUCATION
An interesting and comprehensive report by Dr. Gordon-Smith will
be found on page 112.
THE FAR EAST COMES TO TOWN
The report of the Superintendent Health Visitor on page 75 brings
out some points of interest. Language difficulties make communication
with some immigrants difficult, and interpreters may have to be arranged.
The Tuberculosis Nurse is in especial difficulty for if T.B. is mentioned
the interpreter disappears! To such families the T.B. visitor finds it
difficult to teach hygiene, to arrange attendance at contact clinics, and
in addition there is often overcrowding.
One Health Visitor was astounded to note the frequency, at her visits
to a certain family, with which the dishes were washed and the food thrown
away. She later realised that with this particular sect the shadow of an
unbeliever (the H.V.) should not fall upon their food.
AN UNUSUAL RELAXATION CLASS
Miss Oliver also reports an interesting and entirely spontaneous
developmental the local psychiatric hospital. Two Health Visitors attending
a course of lectures there were approached by the psychiatrist for
attendance with two very disturbed expectant mothers. He felt that they
would be helped by relaxation methods and discussions about their preg-