This study aimed at ascertaining the level of awareness and acceptability of ORT in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children. Respondents were 267 mothers in a sub‐urban community in Lagos who had children under 5 years of age. Only 39% of the respondents have even heard of ORT. Of the 109 mothers whose children had diarrhoea during the study period, only 10% used oral fluids. Specifically only 6% used home‐made salt and sugar solutions. There was no association between maternal level of education and the treatment of choice. (x²= 0.46, p = 0.79). Fifty percent of the mothers who have heard of ORT could not prepare the solution correctly.Many mothers in the developing countries remain uninformed or ill‐informed of the use of ORT and its effectiveness. Their children therefore may not fully benefit from this important discovery of this century. Strategies of contact and communication have to be developed so that the necessary information would reach those who most need to know. For those who are aware of the therapy, factors underlying their reluctance must be identified.