Diseases, Diarrhoeal Measuring spoon for oral rehydration salt, British, 1981

Diseases, Diarrhoeal Measuring spoon for oral rehydration salt, British, 1981. One of a set of measuring spoons manufactured by 'Teaching Aids at Low Cost', London, for use in Third World Countries. The set consists of five different coloured spoons, each with instructions in a different language. This one is in English. Oral rehydration is a cheap and effective remedy for diarrhoeal diseases. Diseases like typhoid and cholera cause dehydration when the body loses natural fluids, minerals and salt, endangering life. In the 1970s an estimated four million children died this way. In 1974 the World Health Organisation set up a diarrhoeal disease control programme, involving oral rehydration. Sachets of salts containing minerals such as sodium, potassium and sugar are taken mixed with water, as instructed on the spoon. ©SSPL/Science Museum