Two sachets of oral rehydration salts, Germany, 1981
Diarrhoea can cause dehydration especially in the elderly and young babies. In poorer parts of the world this can prove fatal. This packet of oral rehydration salts (ORS) would be mixed with water and drunk to replace any minerals and vitamins lost – often as an emergency measure. The German company that made these salts, Nutrichem GmbH, worked with UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Fund. UNICEF now delivers ORS packets throughout the world. The sachets are shown with measuring spoons for salt and sugra rehydration solutions (1981-1449).
Object number:
1981-1491 Pt1
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: oral rehydration salts
A cheap and effective treatment for dehydration. The salts are usually a solution of sugar and salts taken orally. They are used in the developing world to save children from death by diarrhoea.
Glossary: dehydration
The results of extreme loss of water.
Glossary: diarrhoea
Frequent movement of the bowels, commonly in liquid form.