USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1913 > Part 6
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89
LIBRARY REPORT
follow in general reading, since a large percentage of our circu- lation is fiction, read mainly for entertainment, recreation, or diversion. It is interesting to note in this connection that the percentage of fiction readers in our juvenile department is materially less than that of the adult patrons. A wise discrimination in selection of books, and constant care in suggestion of reading by the attendants accounts for this encouraging fact.
161 books have been purchased for the Duplicate Li- brary, for which the sum of $151.28 has been collected in dues. No change of method in the management of this de- partment has occurred; it has always had steady patronage, and is a convenience for patrons, not a means of income for the library.
During the year the recataloguing has been completed, a new charging system installed, and the anticipated increased order and efficiency in the administration of library affairs realized. The Committee on filling out deficient depart- ments has done satisfactory work in putting the book collec- tion on a standard basis.
A loan library was maintained during the fall, for the use of the school children in the southeastern section of the city: Following this came the call for the establishment of a branch library in that locality, and arrangements have been made to open such a branch in the Middlesex Park Building. It will be open one afternoon and one evening of the week, and will be carried on by the help of residents, without cost to the library. A branch at the Highlands is needed, only lack of funds prevents.
One bulletin, covering some 18 months' time, has been printed, containing 1,262 titles.
Of these 650 were non-fiction, 400 fiction, 212 juvenile, of which 112 are non-fiction, and 100 stories. About the usual number of cards, between 4,000 and 5,000 have been given out.
Ten meetings of the Board of Trustees have been held, with practically full attendance.
The Historical Room has been opened for the use of meetings in the interest of civic or educational work, whenever desired.
90
CITY OF MELROSE
A portrait of Mrs. Maria L. Chapin, Trustee of the Library, from 1900 to 1904, has been presented by Mrs. Edith Hancock Kimball, following the gift of one of Mr. Charles C. Barry, by the members of his family.
On December 19, with appropriate ceremonies, was presented to the Library the fine collection or books and pictures known as the "Mary A. Livermore Library of Sacred Art." This was the gift of the Melrose Women's Club in memgry of their fellow member and townswoman, whose character was an inspiration and example, and whose life has left the impression of its high service upon her generation.
The collection comprises some 3,000 photographs, copies of the world's most famous paintings, contained in the galleries of Europe, and 100 books upon the subject of art. The room in which it is placed is furnished completely and most artistically with the gifts of friends of Mrs. Livermore, many of them being also memorials.
It is given to the city not only as a memorial, but in the hope that through its use and study, a wider and more intelli- gent interest in art may be developed in the community. Art is the perception and expression of truth and beauty, and the scope of our library work is widened and dignified by just so much as we can bring to this the people.
Our work feels the presence of steadily increasing de- mands, and needs larger sums yearly for its requirements. For the current year the sum of $6,020 will be needed, divided by departments as follows :--
Salaries, $2,875; books, $1,500; binding, $400; Fuel and lights, $620; building and janitors' supplies, $225; sundries, $500.
Respectfully submitted for the Board of Trustees, by its Secretary,
ANNA T. BUSH. EDWARD M. MUNYAN, NEIL A. DIVVER, PAUL STERLING, WILLIAM T. ATWOOD
MARY L. CHARLES,
ANNA T. BUSH,
Trustees.
91
LIBRARY REPORT
F
STATISTICS-1913.
Number of volumes in the library, Jan. 1, 1913 15,941
Increase by Purchase . 904
Increase by Binding Periodicals . 48
Transferred from Duplicate Pay Collection
168
1,120
17,061
Number of volumes worn out .
22
Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1914. 17,039
Number of cards issued. 3,515
Number of students' cards issued. 1,030
Number of teachers' cards issued. 48
Number of volumes rebound. 668
Number of volumes replaced. 363
CIRCULATION.
Number of days the library was open. 305
Largest number of books issued in one day 376
Smallest number of books issued in one day (stormy) 63
Largest number of books issued in one month 6,458
Smallest number of books issued in one month
4,814
Average daily . 207
Average monthly. .5,271
Total number of books issued. 63,261
DONATIONS-BOOKS.
Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts State
Annual Report of Commissioner of Education State
Annual Report of City of Melrose. City
Annual Report of the Metropolitan Water Board State
Business Correspondence . Mrs. W. C. Corey Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Christian Unity at Work. C. S. Macfarland
Forty-seventh Annual Encampment of G. A. R.
Freight Terminals and Trains. J. A. Droege Letters from England .... E. D. Bancroft, Mrs. M. H. Davis Life and Correspondence of Henry I. Bowditch V. Y. Bowditch
92
CITY OF MELROSE
Natural History of Religious Feeling I. A. Cornelison
Obed Hussey . ..
F. L. Greeno, Ed
Railway Library.
S. Thompson, Ed.
Stock Exchange from Within W. C. Van Antwerp
Suggestions for Spiritual Life G. L. Raymond
Spiritual Culture and Social Service C. S. MacFarland
PRESENTED.
Portrait of Mrs. Gardner Chapin. Mrs. Edith Kimball Flowering Plants. Casey Florist Co. Mary A. Livermore Library of Sacred Art Woman's Club
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL FUNDS OF THE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY. FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1913.
William Emerson Barrett Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance.
$114.25
July 1, 1913 :-
By Interest.
2.28
Balance
116.53
116.53
116.53
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance. $116.53
93
LIBRARY REPORT
Catalogue Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance.
$69.40
Dec. 31, 1913 :-
By Fines collected and deposited. .. 136.92
By Fines collected and paid out. .. .
38.65
July 1, 1913 :- By Interest. .17
Jan. 31, 1913 :-
To Salaries of Catalogers
$62.73
Dec. 19, 1913 :-
By 4,000 Bulletins, 50 pages 120.00
Dec. 31, 1913 :-
By sundry expenses during year
38.63
Balance
23.76
$245.14
$245.14
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance.
$23.76
Horatio Nelson Perkins Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance.
$531.26
July 1, 1913 :-
By Interest.
10.62
Balance
$541.88
$541.88
$541.88
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance.
$541.88
William Bailey Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance. $2,665.86
94
CITY OF MELROSE
March 10, 1913 :-
By Interest City of Melrose Note. . . . 40.00
July 1, 1913 :-
By Interest City of Melrose Savings Bank . 13.58
Aug. 15, 1913 :-
By Interest City of Melrose Note. . ..
40.00
May 8, 1913 :- To Books purchased
$11.97
Aug. 6, 1913 :-
To Books purchased 30.00
Balance. 2,717.47
$2,759.44
$2,759.44
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance.
$2,717.47
Duplicate Library Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance.
$7.17
July 1, 1913 :-
By Interest. .10
Dec. 31, 1913 :- By Books loaned 143.94
Dec. 31, 1913 :-
To Books purchased.
$99.75
Balance .
51.46
$151.21
$151.21
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance. $51.46
95
LIBRARY REPORT
Hyman Peternoff Fund.
Jan. 1, 1913 :-
By Balance.
$.36
Balance
.36
.36
.36
Jan. 1, 1914 :-
By Balance
.39
NEIL A. DIVVER, Treas.
Examined and found correct April 11, 1914.
EDWIN C. GOULD, City Auditor.
Report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners
Melrose, Mass., February 21, 1914. To the Honorable Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen,
Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :- We submit herewith our report of the operations of the Sinking Fund for the year 1913.
EDWARD J. KITCHING,
EVERETT L. FULLER, FRANKLIN P. SHUMWAY, Sinking Fund Commission.
WATER LOAN SINKING FUND. Summary of Transactions 1913.
Receipts.
Balance Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1913 $42.33
Interest on Registered Bonds. 261.48
Coupons and Interest on Notes 4,076.50
Melrose Nat. Bank on deposits. 20.53
Accrued on Bonds sold.
376.51
Bonds and Notes Sold and Matured.
65,000.00 69,735.02
69,777.35
Payments.
Bonds and Notes bought. $19,688.75
Accrued Interest Bonds bought. 9.51
Expenses paid. Rent Safe Deposit. 25.00
City of Melrose to retire Bond maturing Oct. 1, 1913. 50,000.00 69,723.26
Balance Cash in Melrose Nat. Bank. . 54.09
97
REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
SEWER LOAN SINKING FUND. Summary of Transactions 1913.
Receipts.
Balance Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1913. . .
$21.38
Interest on Registered Bond. 1,430.00
Coupons and Interest on Notes. 7,497.50
Melrose Nat. Bank on Deposits 153.49
Accrued on Bonds Sold. 33.01
City of Melrose Sewer Assessments. 1,843.39
Bonds and Notes Sold and Matured. .
38,250.00
49,207.39
49,228.77
Payments.
Bonds and Notes Bought. . . 48,564.45
Expenses Paid. Rent Safe Deposit. 25.00
Accrued Interest on Bonds Bought. . . .
448.13
49,037.58
Balance Cash in Melrose Nat. Bank. . 191.19
98
CITY OF MELROSE
SCHOOL LOAN SINKING FUND. Summary of Transactions 1913.
Receipts.
Balance, Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1913. .
$6.71
Interest on Registered Bonds.
604.13
Coupons and Interest on Notes.
6,337.36
Melrose Nat. Bank on Deposits.
36.00
Accrued on Bonds Sold . 6.67
City of Melrose, Budget Appropriation 8,316.00
Bonds and Notes, Sold and Matured. . .
8,310.65
23,610.81
23,617.52
Payments.
Bonds and Notes bought. .
23,254.25
Expenses Paid. Rent Safe Deposit . . 15.00
Accrued Interest on Bonds bought. . .
250.48
23,519.73
Balance Cash in Melrose Nat. Bank. . $97.79
99
REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
SURFACE DRAINAGE LOAN SINKING FUND. Summary of Transactions 1913.
Receipts.
Balance Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1913.
42.16
Interest on Registered Bond
287.52
Coupons Interest on Notes.
1,105.50
Melrose Nat. Bank Int. on Deposits. .. .
19.62
City of Melrose, Budget Appropriation 5,358.00
Bonds and Notes sold and matured ...
1,700.00
8,470.40
8,512.80
Payments.
Bonds and Notes bought
$8,125.00
Expenses Paid. Rent Safe Deposit
10.00
Accrued Int. on Bonds bought.
148.60
8,283.60
Balance Cash in Melrose Nat. Bank ... 229.20
Annual Report
of the
Board of Health
of the
City of Melrose
for the
Year Ending December 31st
1913
MELROSE, MASS. THE MELROSE FREE PRESS, INC. 1914
101
HEALTH REPORT
MAYOR. Honorable Oliver B. Munroe.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HEALTH AND CHARITY.
Mr. William A. Carrie, Chairman; Mr. Jonathan H Atkinson, Mr. E. Thatcher Clark, Dr. Arthur T. Gage, Mr. Jeremiah F. Lucey, Mr. Arthur L. Marr, Mr. Eugene L. Pack.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Dr. Clarence P. Holden 21 Vine Street Arthur A. Hayden, Esq .. 126 W. Foster Street Mr. Edmund L. Grundy 18 Cottage Street Chairman, Clarence P. Holden, M.D.
OTHER OFFICERS.
Grace French, Clerk.
Andrew J. Burnett, Plumbing and Sanitary Inspector.
Dr. Frank P. Sturges, V. S., Inspector of Animals and Slaugh- tering.
David O. Parker, Inspector of Slaughtering.
Earle B. Phelps, Inspector of Milk.
Robert N. Hoyt, Inspector of Milk.
Dr. Ralph R. Stratton, Dr. Caleb W. Clark, Dr. Albert E. Small, Medical Inspectors of Schools.
Report of the Board of Health
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen, City of Melrose :-
Gentlemen :-
The Board of Health respectfully submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1913.
Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health.
Actinomycosis, Asiatic cholera, cerebro-spinal menin- gitis, diphtheria, glanders, leprosy, malignant pustule, measles, ophthalmia neonatorum, scarlet fever, smallpox, tetanus, trachoma, trichinosis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, typhus fever, varicella, whooping cough, yellow fever, and infantile paralysis.
There are two distinct methods for the control of con- tagious diseases.
1. Isolation o patient.
2. Quarantine of household.
By the first method, isolation is secured by removal to hospital, or if the house is of sufficient size, isolation of the patient and nurse in the house and apart from other members of the household. This permits all other members of the household, except the children, to pursue their usual avoca- tions. This is the method advised and adopted by this board for many years. It has been found reasonably safe to the family, and the danger to the general public is very small, and we avoid all the expense and annoyance of wholesale quarantine.
The experience of this board has proven over and over again that the public danger is not from lax quarantine or from carriers of infected things, but from mild and unrecog- nized cases of which no report is made.
Diphtheria. Melrose was fortunate in having but a small number of cases during the year, there being seventeen, with 2 deaths.
103
HEALTH REPORT
Scarlet Fever. The year was not so favorable as to scarlet fever, there being a total of seventy-one cases of which forty-six, or more than half occurred in the last quarter. There were no deaths.
Typhoid Fever. There were seven cases reported with one death. A study of these cases would indicate that all were of foreign origin. that is, no cases were caused by local conditions or infections in this city.
Anterior Poliomelitis. During the latter part of the year four cases were reported, and three deaths, all from the same cause, paralysis of breathing. No trace of their origin could be found.
Tuberculosis. There were twenty-four cases of all forms reported with fifteen deaths. Of these ca es twelve or one- half had been in Melrose only a short time or there was a definite history of their being infected before coming here. Of the twenty-four reported cases, eleven were discharged, six by death, four by removal and by disease arrested. During the year seventeen cases were cared for in various hospitals, some at the expense of the Melrose Anti-Tuberculosis Associa- tion and nine were cared for by this Board. Three cases wer maintained in their own homes and two out of town cases were maintained in hospitals. The total number of cases on the list December 31, 1913 was twenty.
Table I. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
1912
1912 Totals $6,375.00
1913
1913 Totals $7,825.00
Expenditures.
General Administration
$938.62
$1,136.36
Salaries of Board.
$531.25
Salary of Clerk
267.19
$650.00 270.84
Stationery, postage and printing
61.65
78.51
Telephone .
49.21
43.41
Office furnishings
3.50
58.05
Sundries . .
25.82
35.55
Other Expenses
1,055.96
1.165.13
Examination of cultures
8.00
14.00
Sanitary Inspection
150.00
150.00
Plumbing Inspection
650.00
650.00
Fumigation and Disinfec- tion .
70.07
187.33
Dumps .
6.50
11.92
Burial Dead animals
46.50
37.00
Office furnishings
$14.25
$4.62
Care of Insane .
20.00
31.90
Inspection of ice .
24.00
24.00
Use of automobile and car- riages.
29.25
Inspection of food .
4.00
Sundries .
60.64
27.11
Quarantine and contagious Dis. Hosp.
$1,065.30
$1,733.27
Outside aid.
23.31
46.60
Maintenance of Cont. Hosp.
24.05
Maintenance of patients at Other Hospitals
735.69
1,207.67
Board while in quarantine. .
52.72
Reimbursement of other
234.00
345.28
Ambulance and carriages . Inspection
425.00
761.00
Inspection of School Child- ren .
225.00
225.00
Insepction of Animals and Slaughtering
100.00
136.00
Inspection of Milk.
100.00
100.00
Milk Analyses
300.00
Refuse and Garbage Disposal. Removal of Garbage.
1,856.68
2,000.00
Tuberculosis
570.00
875.63
Nurse ..
37.00
Board of Nurse
7.43
Rent .
34.15
Board in Hospitals
570.00
750.80
Ambulance and transporta- tion .
24.25
Sundries .
22.25
Total Expenditure
5,911.56
7,671.39
Revenues of the Board of Health.
$200.06
$403.17
Licenses
49.00
51.50
Reimbursements
151.06
351.67
Cities .
49.25
81.00
1,856.68
2,000.00
Total Appropriations
Table II. CASES AND DEATHS OF DISEASES DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH BY MONTHS.
This table includes all cases (with their deaths) irrespective of whether cases were transported into the city from elsewhere or were contracted outside of the city, also all deaths of Melrose cases dying in hospitals out of town.
Tuberculosis
Diphtheria
Scarlet
Fever
Typhoid
Fever
Measles
Whooping
Smallpox
Ophthalmia
Neonatorum
Polio-
myelitis
Pul. and
Miliary
Menin-
geal
Other
Forms
Total
for
Month
Months
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
January
2
1
. .
.
. .
2
1
4
.
3
.
.
.
1
1
00
. .
·
·
. .
2
1
. .
1
.
.
.
17
4
October .
·
. .
. .
November. . .
cr.
16
1
. .
. .
1
1
1
2
3
December . . .
2
21
. .
. .
. .
. .
Total
17
2
71
0 1 0
7
2
46
31
1
..
~
. .
4
3
22
13
1
2
1
0 |207 0
23
.
30
3
May.
.
·
. .
.
.
1
. .
1
. .
-
11
2
September
2.
3
1
. .
. .
·
.
1
1
1
2
..
1
. .
.
·
.
..
. .
..
. .
. .
·
. .
.
.
7
1
13
1
June .
. .
3
1
00 0r
3
July.
.
. .
1
August .
N.
1
3
9
2
1
.
N.
1
..
1
·
. .
. .
. .
24
0
27
1
3
10
15
0
February .
1
1
1
22
2
7
5
2
March .
14
2
April . ..
4
2
co.
. .
4
1
1
2
2
.
1
2
. .
CHIA
4
07
·
10
. .
16
Cough
21
2
.
Table III. CASES AND DEATHS OF CERTAIN DISEASES EACH YEAR FOR TEN YEARS.
This table includes all cases (with their deaths) irrespective of whether the cases were transported into the city from elsewhere or were contracted outside of the city, also all deaths of Melrose cases dying in hospitals out of town.
Tuberculosis
Diphtheria
Scarlet
Fever
Typhoid
Fever
Measles
Whooping
Cough
Smallpox
Ophthalmia
Neonatorum
Polio-
myelitis
Pul. and
Miliary
Menin-
Other
forms
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
1904.
19
2
23
11
1
76
13
4
cr.
1
.
·
.
3
36
9
3
63
77
1
.
1
50
3
80
1
00
1
18
14
2
1907.
15
1908.
58
2
89
13
2
379
1
7
1
124
.
.
1909.
18
106
1
15
00
24
1901.
41
3
32
· .
9
129
1
39
1911.
20
. ·
18
1
17
9
381
1
94
1
5
4
3
22
13
1
1
.
.
1913.
17
2
71
.
7
46
. ·
31
1
7
122.
GENSAllforms
.
. .
11
20
1905.
30
59
1
14
·
. .
20
21
1906.
22
23
28
·
17
4
. .
17
3
. .
14
1
18
. .
1
1
.
3
36
1
10
22.
. .
2 .
1912.
. .
21
1
.
.
459
.
.
.
1
1
2
10
. .
.
1
All
forms
A
20
40
N.
geal
Years
107
HEALTH REPORT
Bacteriology. The Board has, as heretofore, availed itself of the laboratory service of the State Board of Health. Cultures have been taken from suspicious throat cases for diagnosis and in all cases of diphtheria for release. Examina- tions of sputum in suspected cases of tuberculosis, of blood and other secretions in the diagnosis of malaria, typhoid fever and ophthalmia neonatorum have been made.
Isolation Hospital. The Melrose Isolation Hospital has not been in condition to take care of cases during the past year and all cases needing hospital treatment have been cared for in the Malden Contagious Hospital. Thirteen cases of scarlet fever were cared for with no deaths. The average time of treatment was seven weeks and two and one-half days. Eight cases of diphtheria were cared for with two deaths. The average time of treatment was two weeks and four and one half days. There were no return cases.
The two deaths from diphtheria were both of the laryn- geal type and in both cases death was presumably due to delay in recognizing the serious character of the disease and calling a physician.
Three cases of diphtheria and one case of scarlet fever were aided in their homes.
Antitoxin. Antitoxin furnished by the State Board has been distributed freely to the physicians for the treatment of diphtheria. The observation of this Board covering a period of several years is that all cases recognized early and treated with antitoxin are promptly cured.
Vaccination. Vaccine virus furnished by the State Board of Health has been distributed to the physicians and the Board has received returns of 82 successful vaccinations. Forty-six successful vaccinations were performed in this office and 112 pupils examined and certificates issued.
Disinfection. Disinfection by formaldehyde gas at the termination or removal of all cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and infantile paralysis is required.
Table V. INFANT MORTALITY.
YEAR.
AGES
1913
Total deaths under 1 yr.
Under
1 day
1-2
days
2-3
days
3 days -1 week
1-2
2-3
weeks
3 weeks
-1 mo.
months
months
months
months
9-12
months
January
1
1
1
February .
1
March.
1
1
April.
2
1
1
June .
1
2
1
August .
3
2
September
2
October. .
2
1
1
November .
4
1
1
1
1
Male .
11
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
Female .
8
1
1
2
2
2
White ..
19
3
3
1
2
4
3
3
Colored .
0
Class No.
Cause of Death
8 Whooping Cough. ..
1
1
30 Tuberculous Meningitis ..
M
1
92 Pneumonia .
M
1
1
104 Diarrhoea Enteritis.
M
2
1
1
F
1
1
F
1
M
3
1
1
F
3
1
3
1
1
1
152
Other causes peculiar to M early infancy . . . .
170 Traumatism by firearma. .
1
1
Totals .
19
3
3
1
2
4
3
3
...
150 Congenital Malformation
M
1
151 Congenital Debility ...
.
1
1
F
1
F
3
1
1-2
2-3
3-6
6-9
May . .
1
July .
December
weeks
109
HEALTH REPORT
INFANT MORTALITY.
Year
Births
Deaths of Children under 1 year
Rate of Mortality of Children under 1 year per 100 of Children born.
1910.
312
36
11.53
1911 .
325
18
5.54
1912
305
10
3.24
1913
331
19
6.23
School Inspection.
The following diseases were found in pupils of the public schools. (Statistics are for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 1913.)
Diphtheria
2
Diseases of the eye .. . ... 12
Measles
3
Diseases of the Respira- tory system. 2
Tonsilitis. 47
Other contagious diseases 4
Pediculosis 80
Scabies . 3
seases.
1
Impetigo 30
Anaemia 21 Other diseases of the skin .. 12
111 examinations of children between the ages of 14 and 16 who wished to go to work have been made.
There were 156 vaccination certificates granted by the School Physicians during the year.
Food Inspection.
The Board has heretofore not undertaken systematic inspection of food. However, one aggravated case seemed to require attention: the selling of offensive poultry. This case was taken to Court and a penalty of $75 was imposed.
Dairy Inspection.
Dairies within the City and outside of the City, in sur- rounding towns, within a reasonable di tance have been inpsected either by the chairman of the board or the Sanitary Inspector.
Suspected contagious dis-
110
CITY OF MELROSE
The general sanitary condition of dairies is much im- proved.
Milk Inspection.
A larger appropriation for milk inspection was available during the year and a much larger number of examinations of milk have been made, including bacteriological examina- tions.
The results of these examinations have been made avail- able to the public and it is the opinion of the Board that it has been a great factor in stimulating the efforts of milkmen and dairy men to furnish a better grade of milk. Substan- tially the same methods will be continued during the ensuing year.
The Board desires to say in this connection that the reports of the Milk Inspector show that on the whole we are getting a very high quality of milk. It is unfortunate that the public discussion of the milk question has aroused such a general distruct on the part of the consumers of the quality of milk.
The quality of milk is not only much better than it was several years ago but it is a fact that it is not only for the sick and children but for all people one of the most economical foods that can be bought and used.
It is also unfortunate that so many people have discon- tinued the use of fresh milk for various brands of condensed milk which as a rule, are less nutritious and more expensive.
There is another matter which rests wholly with the consumer; that is the proper care of milk after it is received. One hour's exposure in the hot sun may utterly spoil a milk which was sweet and in good condition, when delivered.
Milk licenses issued. 89
To sell milk from stores. 49
To sell milk from wagons. 40
Report of Inspector of Milk
January 30, 1914.
To the Board of Health, City of Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector of Melrose :
The examination of samples of milk collected from Melrose milk dealers has been carried on by the co-operative Board of Health Organization of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from March 1, 1913 to December 31, 1913. During these ten months, ten monthly collections of milk samples have been made without warning to the milk dealers. A sample of milk was taken from each dealer in the original bottle when possible, if not, from the milk can in a sterilized bottle. The milk was always a portion of that intended to be sold to customers and as nearly as possible fairly repre- setnative of the milk supply from which it was taken. During the first eight months, Prof. Phelps held the position of milk inspector and collected the samples of milk. During the months of November and December, I have acted as Milk Inspector.
The table given below shows the results of the samples of milk examined during the ten months. In twenty-three cases, it was impossible to obtain a sample which would fairly represent the chemical composition and a bacterial analysis alone was made.
In the recent report of the National Commission on Milk Standards, the "bacteria count" or number of bacteria in a cubic centimeter is recognized as the most reliable test of the sanitary quality of milk. A high bacteria count shows that the milk is dirty or that it has been carelessly handled. Clean, fresh milk always contains but few bacteria. Out of the samples tested for the number of bacteria, nearly 88% were
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