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Otago Witness, Issue 4030, 9 June 1931, Page 34

—Schools under the London County Council have the services of 115 doctors, 350 nurses, and 64 dentists. A malady which made its appearance among Bristol factory girls has been found to be caused by a dangerous method of “ Slimming.” It was noticed that an increasing number of girls were reporting at the out-patient department of Bristol Royal Infirmary with similar symptoms of illness, and upon inquiry it was found that they had been subjecting themselves to a process of slimming. In addition to rigorous exercising and dieting they had been dosing themselves with a mixture of vinegar and household starch. One of the nurses who gave medical treatment to some of the girls said: “At least one of the patients gained her end—the illness had quite emaciated the poor girl. There were no really serious consequences so far as I know, and none of the girls had to be kept in for more than half a day; but it was no laughing matter, and indeed, a few more doses would have involved serious consequences for some of the girls.”