USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1901 > Part 20
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Shields were an irritant however, inasmuch as they created a vacuum, cupped the flesh, the caps filled with the material oozing from the sore, and excoriated the surrounding skin. People often left them in place too long. The perforations filled with lint from the underwear, excluding the air and thus causing a vacuum. The plaster which held them irritated
390
HEALTH REPORT.
the surrounding skin, causing intense itching in some cases. Shields should not be used longer than two days, when a soft sterile dressing should be substituted.
All factories, corporations and others. employing a large number of people were requested to vaccinate their em- ployees. This was willingly done by them under the supervision of the chairman of the board of health. The same method was followed as was used at the city hall with equally good results. Fourteen hundred would cover the number of employees vaccinated.
All lodgers at the city hall were required to be vaccinated before they could remain over night. In only one case was there objection.
The health committee considered the nurses' bills exorbit- ant and thought that nurses from the hospital might have been obtained free of charge. The board did not question the ability of pupil nurses to do the work, but as a protec- tion to ourselves thought that only graduates should be chosen. Let us suppose that a septic arm or leg followed vaccination as it did in other cities, and a suit for damages was entered against the city of Melrose, as has happened in Boston, the claimant would have a just reason for his complaint had we procured not so well experienced nurses for the work. The board fortified itself as well as the city by procuring the best available talent.
So long as no complaints were entered for poor results following vacination. the honorable health committee might consider the matter of employing ;upil nurses, but had we employed pupil nurses and any bad results followed, then the health committee would have been the first to inquire why we did not procure graduates. The nurses obtained their experience in vaccinating in physicians' offices as well as at the factories, and were as competent to perform the work as any graduate physician, and were more careful about the operation and its necessary cleanliness than most physicians.
Regarding the exorbitancy of the nurses' bills, the majority of the board does not think they were exorbitant. Care- ful people who do work of this kind should receive a proper
391
HEALTH REPORT.
recompense for the honesty and conscientiousness with which they pursue it.
The expense of doing the work was less per capita than that of any board of health of whom this board has obtained the figures.
MALARIA.
Since it has been proved that the mosquito is the means of conveying this disease, that its habitat is the swamps, and that the larvae are developed in water, the board of health should be provided with a sum of money which could enable them to co-operate with other cities and towns in trying to exterminate this organism. The things to be done are three-fold and they have been accepted by sani- tarians and students of the disease, malaria.
First, we must rid the neighborhood of mosquitoes. · Sec- ond, protect persons from bites of mosquitoes as far as possible. Third, protect persons ill with malaria from bites of mosquitoes to prevent the dissemination of infected mosquitoes. Also urge thorough treatment of all cases of malaria.
The destruction of mosquitoes requires the draining of the soil as the only means by which they can finally be re- moved. Cultivation and tillage of the soil will tend to the removal of puddles. Pouring kerosene upon the puddles is a very good remedy but it is only palliative. We should get rid of the puddles because the kerosene will sooner or later disappear and the pool would give rise to a new crop of mosquitoes. Until some better method of destroying the breeding ground of mosquitoes is discovered the board should cover stagnant places with kerosene or add lime to the water to cause its alkalinity.
People should properly screen their houses and all per- sons suffering with malaria should not stop treatment until every vestige of the malarial organism disappears from the blood as shown by microscopical examination.
392
HEALTH REPORT.
BROWN-TAIL MOTH.
Last year physicians reported a large number of cases of a distressing skin disease due to the irritation produced by this moth. Many of these cases resisted all treatment and persisted for some time. The subjective sensations induced by these lesions are distressing in varying degree according to the susceptibility of the individual. A petition was re- ceived by the board signed by physicians and laymen re- questing us to take some action. Since the board had no money with which to undertake the necessary work, we referred it to His Honor the Mayor. The board is of the opinion that the amount appropriated by the board of aldermen to destroy this pest is far too small. A larger sum should be available and the city should be more active in destroying what the board believes is a menace to the public health and safety.
POISON IVY.
This poisonous plant is responsible for a very painful and extensive inflammation of the skin, although at times it may be localized and give little trouble. Many people are un- familiar with the appearance of this and other poisonous plants, therefore they should be protected by the following regulation of the board.
"An owner or occupant of any land upon which there is any poison ivy or any poisonous weed within fifty feet of any highway or street shall cause such ivy or weed to be removed within five days after receiving notice so to do by the board of health."
CONTAGIOUS HOSPITAL.
During the past few years the city has expended a large sum for the care of persons suffering from contagious diseases. It is difficult to secure a house for a temporary hospital for these diseases as many fear that it will interfere with its rental. It is also expensive to equip and maintain such a temporary hospital and as only competent nurses are entrusted by the board with these cases the amount expended
393
HEALTH REPORT.
for this item alone is large. This could be obviated if the city would provide a hospital as the law requires. Chapter 171, Section I, of the Acts of 1901. "Every city in the Commonwealth shall establish within its limits and keep itself constantly provided with one or more isolation hospi- tals for the reception of persons having small pox or any other disease dangerous to the public health. Such hospi- tals shall be subject to the orders and regulations of the boards of health of the cities in which they are respectively located.
Section 2. Whenever a city shall refuse or neglect to carry into effect the provisions of Section I, of this act after having been requested so to do by the State Board of Health it shall be liable to forfeit a sum not exceeding $500 for each'refusal or neglect."
Not only is a hospital necessary for the poor of the city but it is essential for efficient quarantine.
Hospitals for the care of communicable diseases are essential for their control. It is well nigh useless to attempt to enforce isolation unless means are provided in hospitals for the proper isolation of the many cases which are sure to develop under conditions where their isolation is impossible. It is not only for the welfare of the community but also for the welfare of the patient that such hospital accommodations should be provided. Many cases of communicable diseases cannot receive in their homes the care that they require, and oftentimes travellers, tramps and inmates of general hospi- tals are attacked with communicable diseases, and most of such cases should be for their own good, at once removed to a suitable isolation ward. The board recommends that the sum of $3,500 be appropriated to build a hospital for communicable diseases according to the plan now in posses- sion of this department.
BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY.
The importance of a laboratory equipped with the neces- sary apparatus for the examination of suspected specimens of diphtheria or tubercle bacilli or to ascertain the presence or absence of the Widal test for typhoid as well as the ex-
394
HEALTH REPORT.
amination of blood for malarial organisms is imperative. At the present time this work is done by the State Board of Health and the amount of time consumed in transportation of suspected material to the state house causes too great delay in the analysis of specimens, and their report, particu- larly in the case of diphtheria which is of vital importance in determining the use of anti-toxine. the specific of that disease. Delay is so serious that valuable time is often lost when the patient might be well under the influence of the serum. The board of health should have a laboratory from which we could send an early report to the anxious physi- cian. With such a laboratory a report could be obtained within an hour after the specimen had been received. The board hopes that $300 will be available within a short time to equip and maintain a bacteriological laboratory.
MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The principal aim in recommending medical inspection to the honorable school committee is to bring to light un- recognized communicable diseases. During the past year the physician of the board by request of the superintendent of schools has examined several children of the.different schools and many children have been referred to him for vaccination as well as for certification of successful vaccina- tion. Of those who were inspected, several had pediculosis and were advised as to treatment. Others had different › skin diseases and all were excluded from school until re- covery. There have been from time to time mild cases of measles and diphtheria in pupils attending schools. The plan proposed is to assign doctors who have already volun- teered their services to different schools, who will visit their respective schools sometime during the forenoon.
Each teacher reports any pupil under her charge who appears ill and the opinion of the physician who inspects such school is given and if necessary the child is sent home with a note to the parents advising them to consult their family physician. Not only is the board of health able to detect early, contagious diseases in this way but the inspec- tors would give advice to teachers and pupils regarding sanitation and other hygienic problems.
HEALTH REPORT.
395
CLASSIFICATION OF NUSANCES EXAMINED BY THE INSPECTORS AND BOARD DURING THE YEAR.
Ashes complaints, .
I46
Children investigated with parasitic diseases,
18
scabies, 4 .
16 pustular affections, .
4
6. ivy poisoning, .
4
Contaminated brooks,
4
Dirty yards,
7
Dirty cellars,
3
Dirty children,
4
Dirty sheds,
2
Dead animals near pond
2
Deaths investigated,
2
Dead animals removed,
68
Disobeying quarantine,
3
Emptying cesspool without license, Escaping gas.
3
Emptying cesspools on land,
9
Foul closets,
4
Foul henneries,
2
Foul cesspools,
3
Foul privies,
4
Foul urinals,
I
Filthy stables,
2
Filthy dump,
6
Filthy tenements,
4
Obstructed brooks,
2
Obstructed drains,
I
Filthy bakeries,
2
Garbage complaints,
44
Horses ordered killed,
2
Hens in cellars,
3
Horse in cellar,
I
House drainage flowing into cellar,
8
Insufficient closet accommodations,
I
Killing horses without license,
I
No water supply to closet,
2
.
.
I
.
I
Glanders reported,
396
HEALTH REPORT.
Overflowing cesspools, 36
Offensive odors,
4
Pigs without license, 12
Plumbing examined at owners or occupants request,
8
Suspicious contagious diseases investigated,
12
Should enter sewer,
59
Stagnant water on lots,
4
Streams polluted,
4
Swine nuisance,
I
Wet cellars,
2
Using catch basin as sewer,
2
Crowing roosters,
4
Cesspools cleaned,
4
Manure exposed,
4
SANITARY INSPECTOR.
The number of nuisances investigated by the board did 'not include all that were reported, only the written com- plaints were attended to and some of these were not fol- lowed as well as they should have been. This branch of the work cannot be properly done unless one member of the board gives his entire time. The board has recom- mended the appointment of a sanitary inspector. It is not proper for the members of the board to investigate only the more important nuisances, those for instance that require a hearing. Until a sanitary inspector is provided, sanitary laws cannot be rigidly enforced.
ASHES.
His Honor the Mayor referred in his inaugural to the col- lection of ashes as an "unqualified success." This criticism was rather premature. This is the first time in the history of Melrose that this work has been done and one could hardly expect it to run smoothly at first. The board has had many complaints to deal with. In a large number the householders were at fault. Many citizens did not know in which ward they lived or did not comply with the instruc- tions on our printed circulars.
It was difficult to formulate a plan whereby a large area
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HEALTH REPORT.
could be covered quickly and efficiently. At present the board has few complaints and the contractor is doing the work satisfactorily. This work cannot be done properly after the contract expires unless the city appropriates at least $1,650 or the city horses and carts are used for the col- lection and disposal of the ashes.
DUMPS. .
The locations of the public dumps with the exception of one are satisfactory. They are easily accessible and a large quantity of ashes has been desposited upon all. All ashes, whether removed. by the contractor or by private individu- als should be deposited upon one of the five dumps. This . would do away with the nuisances caused by throwing ashes on vacant lots. A man should be provided whose duty would be to keep the dumps in order. This would necessi- tate the burning of all uncovered paper and the spreading evenly all ashes dumped by the contractor. If the dumps were evenly spread it would be possible to sprinkle the ashes and do away with dust. The board will require all carts used for collecting ashes to be covered by canvas on their way to the dumps.
NIGHT SOIL.
One scavenger has been licensed to do this work and new regulations have been adopted to control it. The addi- tional attention given by the board to the care of night-soil has to a certain extent disposed of many complaints which were constantly being reported. The disposal of this material is not yet satisfactory as a part of our method has been prevented.
The board was permitted to deposit night soil on the city farm according to their regulations. The board, how- ever, has been deprived of this privilege because of a com- plaint which upon investigation proved unjustified. It should be deposited on the city farm according to the origi- nal plan, or the city should provide a tank in some remote place. The tank for the reception of night soil could be connected with the public sewer and with the proper
398
HEALTH REPORT.
screens the danger of obstructing the sewer would be obvi- ated. Obstruction of the sewer was one of the reasons set forth to prevent the scavenger from emptying this material into a man-hole on some sewered street away from the centre of the city when such a request was made by this department. A tank could be built for $400. This is the only proper way to dispose of night soil.
GARBAGE.
Refuse is collected by Thomas R. Higgins. Although the board often has complaints to investigate the contractor has done his work satisfactorily. The amount appropriated for this work is insufficient and owing to the additional amount of work done by the contractor it will be necessary to ask for a larger appropriation. Better wagons should be provided preferably metalic ones as these are easily cleaned daily and are not as offensive. Wooden wagons cannot be thoroughly and satisfactorily cleaned. The board recom- mends that the city provide the proper wagons for convey- ing garbage through the streets.
Householders are not careful enough about the way offal is kept. The receptacles should always be covered and placed in protected places away from animals. They should as far as possible prevent freezing of the offal as well as allowing rain-water to fill their receptacles.
WET LAND.
Three petitions were received from persons injuriously affected by wet land. Hearings were given as the law directs. In all cases the land was prejudicial to the public health. The board suggested remedies for these people. No action has been taken by the city. Conspicuous among these is Dix pond which is now used as a public dump, but not successfully, as the outflow of water is prevented by the obstructed drain under Main street. The board asked for the removal of this obstruction. Here again no action was taken. The board will consider this wet land again next
399
HEALTH REPORT.
year and will with the assistance of the State Board of Health try to accomplish the abatement of all nuisances described in the three petitions.
SURFACE DRAINAGE.
Although the time has not come when Melrose can afford to execute the plans of the excellent system of drainage described by, W. D. Hunter, the city should provide tempo- rary remedies for the people affected by faulty surface drainage.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
There is still one school house in which the plumbing is not connected with the public sewer. At the suggestion of the chairman of the honorable school committee the board of health has asked the state board of health for advice regarding the efficiency of the system used in this building for disposal of sewage.
BAKERIES.
The following bakers do business in Melrose : Jesse A. Dill & Co., Friend Bros., John Meister, Winsby, Burkett & Hensby. Their establishments have been inspected. Gen- erally speaking, they are clean, neat and wholesome. A few alterations were necessary in some and when the owners of the bakeries were informed of necessary changes they promptly attended to the requirements.
BOARDING HOUSES FOR INFANTS.
The following applications to maintain boarding houses for infants have been received by the board of health and approved.
Mrs. Emma R. Hitchins, No. 6 Waitt street, Mrs. Dora F. Whittredge, No. 317 East Foster street, Mrs. Anna M. Pratt, off Swains Pond avenue.
400
HEALTH REPORT.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS FOR HORSES.
These should be cleaned once a week and sterilized by using gasolene lamps as fountains are the sources of convey- ing glanders.
STERILIZER.
The board should be provided with a sterilizer into which infected articles including books taken from homes in which there have been communicable diseases, could be properly disinfected before returned either to the owner, the public library or the school room.
ORDINANCES.
Ordinances should be made and enforced controlling the production, sale, distribution and delivery of milk. Chapter II of our rules and regulations, with additions, should be made an ordinance. The harvesting, selling and delivering of ice should be regulated by an ordinance. Chapter 12 of our rules should form the substance of an ordinance.
Gas-fitting should have more attention to prevent leaky fixtures. Escaping gas is responsible for illness and many buildings in Melrose have leaky fixtures. A carefully regulated ordinance should control gas-fitting.
CITY HALL.
The board wishes to call attention to the filthy condition of the basement, the improper ventilation of the tramp room and inadequateness of this place as a lodging for tramps, that the city is at fault in not providing water-closets for the women who are employed by the different departments, and we respectfully call your attention to the law regarding sani- tary provisions for public buildings, Acts of 1894, Chapter 508, Section 40. Unless the city improve the condition of the basement and provide the required water-closets within a reasonable time the board feels that it is their duty to see that said laws are enforced.
PAUL H. PROVANDIE, JOSEPH H. ROBINSON, JOHN T. TIMLIN,
Board of Health.
40I
HEALTH REPORT.
Report of the Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN :- I hereby submit my fourth annual report.
No. of applications received,
233
" permits granted, 233
" sewer connections, I24
" cesspool 12
66 " new houses, 29
" additions or repairs, 6.
33
" applications unfinished,
528
No. of water-closets, .
146
" sinks, .
I3I
" wash-trays, 72
66
" bath-tubs, 79
6. " wash bowls, .
93
" urinals, .
2
" ice chests, 4
" Sitz bath, I
46 " new traps on repair work, . 26
Respectfully submitted,
Jan. I, 1902.
JOHN T. BARKER, Inspector of Plumbing.
Report of the Board of Examiners of Plumbers.
To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass:
GENTLEMEN .-- There were two meetings of this board during the past year, and two applicants were examined, one for a master plumber and one for a journeyman.
Both passed a very creditable examination and were granted licenses.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL H. PROVANDIE.
35
Total number of new fixtures installed,
402
HEALTH REPORT.
Report of Inspector of Cattle and Provisions.
.
MELROSE, January 1902. To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN :- I have to report whole number of swine inspected and branded, one thousand two hundred and seventy-nine. Two horses with glanders have been con- demned and killed. WM. H. DOLE, Inspector.
Report of the Inspector of Milk.
To the Honorable Board of Health, Melrose, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN :--
Licensed grocery stores and bakeries, 44
Licensed milk dealers, 78
Total, 122
Samples to the number of 50 were analyzed and of these a few were found to be slightly under the percentage required but were not low enough to prosecute. The milk from the dairies about this part of the state stands well on examination.
The milk from the contractors usually is just at the per- centage the law calls for and sometimes slightly under. It is none too good. Only two complaints were made the past year and these were found not to be the fault of the milkman. The most trouble with poor milk is caused at the stores, the clerks using from the top of the can ; those getting the last of the milk getting poor milk.
Most of the dealers when trying new dairies have them examined first by the inspector. The state inspectors have been in Melrose once with the local inspector and taken samples.
The samples of vinegar have stood the tests made and were of good strength.
The best sample of milk was from one of our Melrose dairies which measured 1412 per cent., 11/2 more than required. Three samples taken 14, 1412, and 133/4.
Yours, WILLIAM S. BRIRY,
Inspector of Milk.
Report of Engineers of the Fire Department.
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen:
GENTLEMEN :- The chief engineer herewith submits the second annual report of the fire department of the city of Melrose.
It will contain a roll of the several companies and an inventory of all apparatus owned by the city and under the supervision of this department ; a record of all fires and alarms which have occurred the past year and causes with names of owners and occupants, the loss and insurance as nearly as could be ascertained and some recommendations for the ensuing year.
ORGANIZATION.
The department consists of sixty-three men divided as follows: Chief; two assistants, one engine company, fifteen men; three hose companies, ten men each ; one lad- der company, fifteen men.
I would advise the gradual increase of permanent men year by year until the whole force is placed on a permanent basis.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus is kept in the best possible condition and at present consists of the following : one steam fire engine, four hose wagons, one ladder truck, one coal wagon and ten hand extinguishers.
404
FIRE REPORT.
HORSES.
There are eight horses in service, several of which are get- ting old and otherwise unfit for fire duty.
HOSE.
This important branch receives constant care and atten- tion. The past year there has been purchased 800 feet of rubber lined cotton hose.
There is on hand 4800 feet of good hose, 1500 feet of fair and 400 feet of poor hose.
I would recommend the purchase of 800 feet of new hose the coming year as the old hose is liable to give out at any time.
FIRE ALARM.
This branch of the service has been maintained in good condition under the care of Supt. Whidden.
With the exception of unavoidable accidents it has worked to perfection.
The general promptness in giving alarms has aided much in keeping the loss of property at the present low figure.
During the year there has been fifty-four alarms as follows: Bell alarms, 36
Still alarms,
18
Total, 54
Value of property exposed to fire, $127,339 00
Damage to "
31,111 00
Insurance on " 1. 86,130 CO
paid on property exposed to fire, 23,598 00
Total loss 16 ..
7,513 00
Total appropriation,
10,762 20
expenditure, 10,243 65
Balance unexpended, 518 55
For itemized report of expenditures, see auditor's report.
March ·5, old hose, $20 00
July 10, old hose, 27 50
Dec. 17, old stove, 5 00
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