OCR Text |
Show ly take issue with the method he proposes. In his letter to the Editor in July 27 issue of the Herald he does not present all the facts. I would like to present the following information informa-tion for the consideration of the public. Dr. Miner states that 1 part per million fluoride is not a poison in the 1942 yearbook "Keeping Livestock Healthy," by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, page 338, it states: stat-es: "Fluorine is a cumulative poison and long continued consumption con-sumption of relatively small quantities produces chronic fluorosis in all farm animals and poultry." In the Journal of Gerontology, Jan. 1957, is a report by Dr. Clive McCay and associates of Cornell University Uni-versity stating that 1 ppm sodium so-dium fluoride in water fed to rats caused kidney damage in oCe Iter A to the (Editor Following are two letters j selected at random from those j , received this week, all against ail animals, also dental disease, especially in old age. Missing teeth and peridontal disease (pyorrhea) were frequent in rats 520 days old (old age for the rat). These conditions were not found in the animals that were not given the fluoridated water. Dr. Paul H. Phillips, biochemist bio-chemist at the University of Wisconsin says: "It (fluoride) is an accumulative poison which accumulates in the skeletal skel-etal structure including teeth, when the body is exposed to small daily intakes of this element." ele-ment." With a little research anyone can find many other medical authorities who say that at 1 ppm fluoride is a poison an accumulative poison. Those promoting fluoridation are apparently not in possession posses-sion of all the facts concerning concern-ing corrosion of water pipes. In Concord, New Hampshire it cost the taxpayers $200,000 to clean corrosion from their water wa-ter system after using fluori- did oft frequent doctor and saint and heard great argument argu-ment about it and about; but ever came I out the same door wherein I went." I agree in full with what DeRay Shepherd writes in the latest issue of the paper, and would add the suggestion: Why not fluoridate salt, like we added iodine to salt? Then those who wanted fluoride could get it easily and cheaply. cheap-ly. While those, like myself, who want nothing to do with it, wouldn't be forced to drink the "stuff" (as Shepherd calls it and I can think of no better bet-ter word to describe my regard of it.) Very truly, P. K. Edmunds, M.D. Takes issue Dear Editor: Dr. Richard K. Miner should be complimented for his efforts ef-forts to find a way to reduce tooth decay, however, I strong- fluoridation. The newspaper is also in receipt of considerable printed material from various sources out of town and out of the state sent in by individuals indi-viduals who have heard that the question of water fluoridation fluorida-tion has come up in Springville. Spring-ville. The Springville Herald is anxious to receive letters on the question and will print all of them. However, hereafter it will be necessary to limit the length of the letters to not more than 400 words. This will give more people an opportunity opportun-ity to express their views. Manila Brown, Editor, I have read with interest the various articles relative to fluoridation of our water supplies. sup-plies. Reminds me of Omar's words: "Myself when young dation for seven years. Deposits Depos-its of sections of corroded pipe were analyzed and were found to contain as much as 8,000 ppm fluoride! In Schnectady, N.Y. the city manager states that corrosion of the fluoride pumps and pipes had rendered this apparatus unserviceable. Many other cities report similar simi-lar experiences. In most cities where the fluoridation isue has been voted on it has been defeated. Many of the cities now using fluoridation fluori-dation provided no opportunity for the public to vote on it, but installed it without public knowledge. 700 cities which include approximately 2,000 communities involving 40 million mil-lion people have turned down fluoridation. Included in this list are 72 cities which have abandoned fluoridation after trying it. Likewise, foreign countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, France, England, and West Germany have rejected rejec-ted it as a dangerous practice. Other ways of getting fluoride fluo-ride into the diet would be just and effective and much more economical. Using sea salt would be the simplest way, the safest and most economical. It would also then be a matter of choice, as it should be. The dosage would be better controlled con-trolled in the use of salt since consumption of this item is more stable and less variable than the consumption of water. Sea salt as provided by nature would be much less toxic than fluoridated water. Parents can still get tablets from the drug store to add to their childrens drinking water. It would be a simple matter to mix up a daily supply and keep it in the refrigerator where it would be pleasantly cold. Or why not install individual indi-vidual fluoridating systems in the home of those desiring it, similar to water softening equipment which is very popular. pop-ular. Or why not have the manfacturer add the desired amount of fluoride to the chil- drens vitamin capsule. Many parents see that their children get vitamins every day. The main advantage of these other ways is, of course, that it remains a matter for the individual in-dividual to decide. It doesn't violate anyones physical integrity. integ-rity. No one is now preventing any parent from giving fluoride fluo-ride to his child nor is anyone any-one being forced to eat foods which promote dental caries, which in the words of the Provo District Dental Society "is caused in good part by candies can-dies and cookies eaten between meals. The rule is simple, to help prevent decay, cut down on sweets." Dr. Miner states that the cost of the necessary equipment equip-ment would be a fraction of a cent per person. The cheapest fluoridation equipment costs around $15,000 and in Springville Spring-ville there are five places where water enters the system. sys-tem. This would mean $75,000 for equipment, a fantastically high cost for any public health measure in a city the size of Springville, this would surely mean much more than a fraction frac-tion of a cent per person. Respectfully submitted, Patti H. White. |