USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1926 > Part 7
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Amount uncollected January 1, 1926. .. $2,998 63
Additional warrant by Assessors 1 50
$3,000 13
Credit by Auditor ..........
16 80
$2,983 33
Amount abated during year 1926.
98 97
$2,884 36
Amount collected during year 1926
2,765 45
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927. ... $118 91
Gypsy Moth of 1925
Amount uncollected January 1, 1926.
$1,217 63
Amount abated during year 1926. 363 45
$854 18
Amount collected during year 1926
757 47
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927
$96 71
Cash Received
4,192 78
1,651 34
2,765 45
757 47
124
CITY OF QUINCY
Tax of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .. $3,410,779 81 Amount abated during year 1926 25,033 55
Amount collected during year 1926.
$3,385,746 26
2,157,793 99
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927. $1,227,952 27 Amount of interest collected. 2,674 95
Apportioned and Unapportioned Main Sewers of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .... $28,708 94
Amount abated during year 1926. 261 35
$28,447 59
Amount collected during year 1926. 10,333 28
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927
$18,114 31
Committed Interest on Apportioned and Unapportioned Main Sewers of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .... $2,633 48
Amount abated during year 1926. 20 18
$2,613 30
Amount collected during year 1926.
1,040 40
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927.
$1,572 90
Apportioned and Unapportioned Sidewalks of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .... $2,384 94
Amount abated during year 1926. 1,248 94
$1,136 00
Amount collected during year 1926.
1,046 40
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927.
$89 60
Committed Interest on Apportioned and Unapportioned Sidewalks of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .... $317 93
Amount abated during year 1926. 50 58
$267 35
Amount collected during year 1926. ... 165 65
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927 ..
$101 70
Cash Recen '!
2,157,793 99
10,333 28
1,040 40
1,046 40
165 65
125
REPORT OF COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Apportioned and Unapportioned Street Betterments of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .... $20,844 43 Amount abated during year 1926. 212 65
Cash Received
$20,631 78
Amount collected during year 1926. 8,648 68
8,648 68
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927.
$11,983 10
Committed Interest on Apportioned and Unapportioned Street Betterments of 1926
Total amount committed by Assessors .. $4,534 86
Amount abated during year 1926 41 40
$4,493 46
Amount collected during year 1926.
2,189 12
2,189 12
Street Oiling of 1926
Total amount committed by Commis- sioner of Public Works. $12,455 67
Amount abated during year 1926. 55 5'
$12,400 11
Amount collected during year 1926.
7,011 41
7.011 41
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927.
$5,388 70
Gypsy Moth of 1926
Total amount committed by Commis- sioner of Public Works. $1,544 22
Amount collected during year 1926. 832 36
832 36
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927
$711 86
Sewers
Amount collected during year 1926 on sewer con- struction 9,338 08
Amount of interest collected 67 28
Permanent Sidewalks
Amount collected during year 1926 on permanent sidewalks 1,476 13
Amount of interest collected 1 74
Amount uncollected January 1, 1927
$2,304 34
126
CITY OF QUINCY
Street Betterments
Cash Received
Amount collected during year 1926 on street better- ments
10,688 52
Amount of interest collected
136 49
Costs collected during year 1926.
6,800 65
Bank interest collected during year 1926. 473 26
Total amount of cash collected during year 1926 $3,422,040 69
CHARLES A. HADLOCK, Collector of Taxes.
127
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
JANUARY 1, 1927. To the Honorable Mayor and City Council.
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith I beg to submit the report of the Health Department for the past year. Appended are the various section reports which cover the variety of work done under this department and show conclusively a constructive advance in all lines of work.
The Well Baby Clinics were increased during the past year to cover each ward of the city, so that all sections might have the ben- efits that are to be had from this service. That this met with uni- versal approval is shown by the attendance record. This work really has shown its value in the reduction of the death rate of babies under one year of age. The intent of this work is to aid the young mother in handling the very difficult problem of caring for the baby,-telling her what to do and how to do it. Very often the Clinic resolves itself into a veritable clearing house, directing the charges to their own family physician for correction or repair, whichever the case may be.
During the past year, in co-operation with the School Depart- ment, the work of Schicking the children of the schools was started and met with generous co-operation on the part of the parents throughout the city. It is to be regretted that more publicity as to this important phase of health work could not have been given before starting the actual work, but if followed up from year to year, it will, in time, become as much a part of the school prepara- tion as the present vaccination requirement, and it is to be hoped that with the School Superintendent situation cleared up, this work may be carried on with the regularity it deserves, as each entering class begins.
The School Survey that is being urged by the State Department of Health has gained favor as it spreads, and is recommended by this department as of great importance in the constructive program of health work. Through the kind assistance of Rev. Fr. Owens a health survey was made of the Parochial School and its value easily demonstrated, showing what may be done by surveys of our other schools. It is really a study of underweight and backward chil- dren, discovering the cause and making recommendations for the improvement of that child, thereby creating an asset in health to the community, rather than allowing a liability to arise which is almost sure to happen, if the physical condition of the child is not carefully observed and corrected. In this work of survey, the as- sistance of the Norfolk County Hospital, the superintendent, Dr. Pillsbury, and the County Commissioners' co-operation were of great help to this department in carrying out the complete exam- ination. While the assistance of these agencies may not be ap- preciated by the City Fathers and the public at large, I wish at this time to register our appreciation and thanks.
In the T. B. work, which is carried on under State requirement, we have found the co-operation at the Norfolk County Hospital wonderfully helpful, enabling us to do very extensive work along
128
CITY OF QUINCY
this line. It has been our aim during the past year to seek out the Pre-Tubercular case, institute treatment and observation, that we may cut down the contact cases, thereby reducing the actual cases of T. B.
Reference to brooks and streams in Quincy, made in former re- ports, needs no further comment, other than that a survey of the same should be made with reference to covering, widening or clear- ing, so that people whose homes are in the drainage area would be relieved of wet cellars.
There should be a more mutual program of building construc- tion, with especial reference to grade and consequent problems of drainage. It is a very serious health problem to find that building permits have been granted without care as to grades, with the re- sult that potential citizens who have invested money in new homes find themselves confronted by cellars partially flooded at certain seasons of the year and no prograni of relief. With no insistence on the part of the Inspector of Buildings relative to the obtaining of grades, cellars are put in a haphazard manner, causing the buyer of the property needless expense in the low and poorly drained sec- tions of the city. Much expense to the city could be saved in avoid- ing the nuisance which this condition causes and will cause if not taken care of.
I firmly believe, and this is strengthened by the universal find- ings of medical and health authorities, that all milk sold in the city should be sold only after pasteurization, to protect against milk borne diseases.
Our Nuisance Work is of undoubted value, a considerable part of which consists of mosquito elimination work, but in the tide water sections this is not very satisfactory.
The use of private dumps for filling purposes should be continued to save haulage, but the recipient must be made to keep those from becoming a menace or a nuisance. Public dumps should be so cared for that the papers and other materials which may be stirred by the wind shall be covered or otherwise kept from becoming a nuisance. It is hoped that the unsightly condition of Black's Creek may be improved with the construction of the new Southern Artery. At present this is a very sad appearing and obnoxious place.
The necessity of a well built and well kept Comfort Station is so apparent that longer delay in this matter should not be toler- ated by the citizens. Early action by the council would, I feel cer- tain, meet with approval.
In contagious diseases, the city has been very fortunate, the low average has been, of course, partially luck, but no small portion of credit for this condition should be given this department, for its vigilance in nipping in the bud a threatened epidemic of scarlet fever in the Adams School, which came shortly after the opening of the school year and was gaining a considerable headway, owing to the mildness of the disease, but, acting with the School Depart- ment, it was soon checked.
The department instituted a weekly report to the press which has given the public information of health conditions as they ex- isted and in comparison with other years. This has been of inter- est to the physician as well as the layman.
During the year the position of Pre-Natal Nurse was created after the survey of our Health Department had been made by the American Public Health Assn. and recommended. Owing to sick- ness in another department, this work was slow in getting under
129
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
way, but once started, it has been accepted by the physicians of the city, who find this a very helpful way to keep in touch with their pre-natal cases. The nurse, is prepared to take blood pressure readings and in other ways keeps tabs on this more or less haz- ardous condition of health. An attempt on the part of certain life insurance companies to break in on this work seems to be in prog- ress, but it is to be hoped that we are intelligent enough to carry on our own task, and this, too, when the work has been so recently started. I see no reason why it should be given over to a com- pany who are only interested from a business standpoint.
I am not unmindful of the help of the Quincy Woman's Club Visiting Nurse Committee and wish to thank them for their assist- ance in our work.
I wish to here thank one and all in our Health Department for their faithfulness and cooperation. The past year has been one of construction and inspiration, we have been cooperated with and complimented by the State Department of Health, and I believe no more efficient department exists anywhere in the state, and in very few cities of the country.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED A. BARTLETT, M.D., Health Commissioner.
130
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
JANUARY 1, 1927.
DR. FRED A. BARTLETT, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- I hereby submit the annual report of the Department of Health for the year ending December 31, 1926.
The personnel of the department is as follows:
Commissioner of Health and Insp. of Milk .. Dr. Fred A. Bartlett Superintendent Thomas G. Smith Clerk
Verna M. Kelley
Sanitary inspector
A. A. Robertson
Assistant milk inspector James O'Dowd
Plumbing inspector
J. J. Keniley
Inspector of meats and provisions
Howard O. Rogers
Dispensary physician
Dr. C. J. Lynch
Child welfare physician
Dr. E. B. FitzGerald
Venereal disease physician
Dr. E. E. Smith
Bacteriologist
Dr. E. E. Smith
Tuberculosis nurse
Gert. T. Russell, R.N.
Contagious nurse
Cath. F. Coleman, R.N.
Child welfare nurse Nettie D. Fowler, R.N.
Prenatal nurse
Mary E. Keeley, R.N.
Inspector of animals and slaughtering
Dr. E. A. DeVarennes
There has been in addition to the personnel of the department the past year, that of the appointment of Mary E. Keeley as pre- natal nurse. She is a very efficient nurse and a great credit to this department.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the Health Commissioner and other members of the department for their efficient cooperation in all matters pertaining to the department. Appended you will find the report of the various inspectors and nurses, also my report of diseases and deaths reported for the year 1926.
See Auditor's report for receipts and payments.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS G. SMITH, Superintendent.
131
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR
JANUARY 1, 1927.
DR. FRED A. BARTLETT, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is submitted my report as Sanitary In- spector for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Inspec- tions
Com- plaints
Written Notices
Cesspools
57
57
37
Unsanitary plumbing
21
16
8
Odors in house
1
1
1
Drainage
38
33
8
Piggeries
7
5
3
Privy vaults
24
16
311
Crowing roosters
0
10
7
Dumps and yards
118
90
67
Garbage
22
22
18
Nuisance by rats
3
3
Smoke nuisance
1
1
Nuisance by household pets.
3
3
Water shut off
2
2
1
Unsanitary dwellings
34
13
6
Barber shops
123
1
Poultry yards
28
13
12
Stores
214
1
Dust and odors from industries
47
9
10
Restaurants
117
1
Stables
4
2
2
Bakeries
109
2
Sewer connections
299
Candy kitchen
24
997
303
792
Applications for permits :
Received
Granted
Refused
Stable
1
0
1
Poultry
7
7
0
Slaughtering house
1
0
1
Total
9
7
2
Premises connected to sewer after notices
112
Vaults abandoned
51
By connection to sewer
27
By connection to cesspool
23
By connection to septic tank
1
-
Coal Dust Nuisance
During the summer we were in receipt of a number of complaints from the residents of Germantown that a nuisance was being caused by coal dust blowing through the air and floating in the water and which came from the Edgar Plant of the Edison Electric Illumi- nating Co. at North Weymouth. We notified the Edison Company,
132
CITY OF QUINCY
and Mr. John Campbell, Superintendent of their Special Service Department, immediately suggested that our department join with them in making a complete investigation.
We found that the nuisance was caused when coal was being unloaded and when coal was being transferred from the field to the station. The coal was transferred from the boat to the field and from the field to the station by a series of conveyor belts sys- tem, the coal being loaded on the belts from large clam shell buck- ets, passing through hoppers. The coal going from one belt to another also passed through hoppers. It was found that practically all the dust that escaped did so at points where the coal was trans- ferred from the bucket to the hopper, from the hopper to the belt and from the belt through a hopper on to another belt. The Edi- son Company immediately started work enclosing these various transfer points in so far as the mechanism would permit. Some further changes are contemplated and will be made as soon as possible. The officials of the company have shown a fine spirit of cooperation and are doing everything that is possible to elim- inate this nuisance.
Pollution of Harbor
The pollution of the waters of Quincy still continues and many complaints were received during the summer season that under certain tidal and wind conditions the water was unfit for bathing purposes. The Engineering Division of the State Department of Public Health conducted an investigation during the summer months and will it is hoped suggest a method of eliminating this nuisance. A resolve was introduced into the last session of the legislature calling for an investigation of the advisability of ex- tending the Metropolitan sewerage system to take in a number of towns in the Neponset River Valley. I appeared at one of the hearings on this matter, representing this department, and at our suggestion the resolve was passed to include an investigation of the outlet of the system in Quincy Bay.
Slaughtering House
During the early summer we received an application to issue a permit to a company desiring to occupy a certain building at Quincy Point as a slaughtering house and rendering plant. After an inspection of a similar plant operated by the same company in a neighboring city, it was decided that this department would not approve the application.
Respectfully submitted,
A. A. ROBERTSON, Sanitary Inspector.
133
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR
JANUARY 1, 1927.
DR. FRED A. BARTLETT, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is submitted my report of activities other than those as Sanitary Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Culture Materials
We maintained during the year culture stations at eight drug stores in different sections of the city where diphtheria anti-toxin, vaccine and various culture tubes could be secured by physicians.
A supply of serums was kept at the Dispensary and the culture tubes could also be secured at the Health Department office.
During the year 17 trips were made to the State Laboratory for supplies and 167 trips were made to the culture stations to re- plenish their supplies.
Requests were received from local physicians on 75 occasions for supplies not kept at culture stations and these were delivered direct to the office of the physician. Twelve trips were made to the Quincy City Hospital with supplies, and three trips were made to the Wasserman Laboratory for tubes.
The new serum for the treatment of scarlet fever was used for the first time during the year, and physicians who made use of this serum report that excellent results were received. In at least one case there is no question but that the anti-toxin was the means of saving the life of the patient.
This anti-toxin was supplied by the State Department of Public Health, but because of the limited supply we were unable to keep any on hand in Quincy, and whenever it was needed urgently it became necessary to make a trip to the anti-toxin laboratory. During the year 10 such trips were made.
A supply of scarlet fever for active immunization and Dick test outfits for determining susceptibility was kept at the dispensary and furnished to local physicians on request.
Serum for the treatment of rabies was secured in two cases dur- ing the year.
Mortality and Morbidity Reports and Charts
During the year there were kept morbidity charts for diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles and whooping cough. These charts showed the expectancy each week for the four diseases and also the num- ber of cases each week in 1926.
Morbidity reports by wards were prepared each month, and these reports were consolidated at the end of year for the annual report.
A list of deaths showing the cause, sex, age and nativity was prepared each month and these were also consolidated at the end of the year for the annual report.
134
CITY OF QUINCY
Newspaper Publicity and Talks
During the entire year a weekly report showing the report of communicable diseases and number of deaths were sent to the two local newspapers for publication. Special articles were also pre- pared on the baby clinics, system of milk inspection and other sub- jects, and these were published. During the year I spoke at three meetings to a total attendance of over 1,100.
Clinics
During the spring months I assisted at the Schick clinics which were conducted in the grammar schools and also at the weighing of the pupils of the St. John's School preliminary to the under- weight clinic.
Four meetings of the Association of Boards of Health were at- tended at one of which a new set of minimum quarantine regula- tions were recommended, and which this department has officially adopted.
Venereal Diseases
During the year 19 cases of venereal diseases were reported as follows:
Males
Females
Total
Gonorrhea
12
2
14
Syphilis
2
3
5
Total
14
5
19
Notices of lapsed treatment
28
Returned to treatment
20
Failed to return to treatment unable to locate.
8
Follow up letters
28
Follow up visits
12
Respectfully submitted, A. A. ROBERTSON.
REPORT OF ASSISTANT MILK INSPECTOR
JANUARY 1, 1927.
DR. FRED A. BARTLETT, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1926.
The following statistics refer to milk, cream, ice cream, butter- milk and oleomargarine consumed and produced in the city of Quincy :
Dairies in the City of Quincy
1 cow
20
2 to 5 cows
6
5 to 10 cows
3
11 to 25 cows
9
25 to 85 cows
4
Total number of dairies in Quincy
42
Total number of dairies in nearby towns
12
54
135
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Total number of cows in Quincy 437
Total number of cows in nearby towns 287
Total number of cows supplying milk to Quincy. 724
Milk produced in Quincy and nearby dairies (quarts) 7,240
Milk contractors' processing and storage plants:
In Quincy
6
In Braintree 2
In Randolph 2
In Holbrook 1
In North Hanover
2
In Milton
3
In Southboro 1
Teams, auto cars and trucks employed in the distribution of milk, cream, buttermilk and ice cream 126
Milk consumed in city of Quincy per day (quarts) 31,731
Pasteurized milk consumed in Quincy (quarts) 24,491
Raw milk consumed in Quincy (quarts) 7,240
Grade A baby and special milk in Quincy (quarts) 2,021
Certified milk in Quincy (quarts)
250
Per cent pasteurized 77
Per cent raw
23
Cream consumed in city of Quincy (quarts. 1,170
Ice cream consumed in city of Quincy (gallons). 2,710
Ice cream produced in Quincy per day (gallons) 575
Buttermilk consumed in Quincy (quarts) 341
Number of dairies scored in Quincy and nearby dairies 68
Table Classification of Dairies Inspected and Scored
Scoring 30 to 40.
7
Scoring 41 to 50
17
Scoring 51 to 60.
29
Scoring 61 to 70.
11
Scoring 71 and over
4
68
Retail licenses issued, milk, ice cream and oleomargarine. 830
Milk producers' licenses issued
41
. Number of cows examined 726
Milk samples collected for chemical test 672
672
Total 1,344
Number of stores visited. 678
Number of dairies visited.
275
Number of milk rooms visited 165
119
Ice cream manufacturing and storage plants visited.
50
Restaurant, lunch and ice cream parlors visited. 21
Milk storage plants visited. 10
Cows examined for pus and streptococci. 50
Milk samples collected for bacteria
Number of milk processing plants visited.
136
CITY OF QUINCY
Milk samples for pus and streptococci.
29
New milk rooms constructed and remodeled 7 New cow stables constructed and remodeled. 4 Revenue from milk, ice cream and oleomargarine $433.50
The price of milk in the City of Quincy for the year 1926 has remained the same as 1925; cash and carry chain stores 12 cents per quart to 15 cents per quart for family milk distributed to cer- tified which is 30 cents per quart.
This branch of Public Health work has been conducted in sub- stantially the same manner as last year. All milk sold and pro- duced in Quincy is pasteurized or from tuberculin tested cows.
The aim in view has been to secure for the City of Quincy a clean, fresh and healthful supply as well as one that will not fall below the standard prescribed by the law.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES O'DOWD,
Acting Milk Inspector.
137
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
DECEMBER 31, 1926.
TO THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, Quincy, Mass.
DEAR SIR :- I submit herewith the report of the work in this of- fice for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Inspections made
945
Meats and Foodstuffs Condemned as Unfit for Food
Beef (pounds)
68
Pork (pounds)
43
Lamb (pounds)
43
Poultry (pounds)
40
Beef liver (pounds)
10
Pigs' feet (pounds)
10
Veal (pounds)
12
Salt ribs (pounds)
5
Fish
22
Clams
8
Financial Statement
Appropriation
$150 00
Expended:
Transportation
$107 00
Clerical
10 00
Office
3 30
Telephone
10 00
130 30
Unexpended balance $19 70
The work of this office is divided into two parts, regular inspec- tions of stores and markets and all food shops where meats are sold.
I have attended to the first by doing double time on inspection work.
The second part is investigating individual cases where com- plaints are made and the food purchased has not been good. Very few complaints of this nature have been made this year.
The business section of our city is gradually broadening from the Center district. Many small blocks of stores have been erected in our outlying districts, which gradually increase our work.
The small dealers are commencing to realize the importance of keeping their store clean and attractive, with more up to date sanitary fixtures and more modern display cases for their stock. The large merchant needs no reminder as to the importance of keeping their store and fixtures in a sanitary condition.
Our Department of Health is of the highest standard at the present time and nothing is neglected to see that the public get good meats and foodstuffs from our dealers at all times.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD ROGERS,
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