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 1927 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
One of the definite advantages in having these clinics meet at the same session has been the possibility of correlating, at the child's first visit, the general physical examination made by the Child Welfare physician and the special examination made by the orthopaedist. This plan gives the mother in one visit the complete picture gained from two examinations.
The total number of Orthopaedic Clinics during 1927 has been eight. Eighty-nine examinations have been made and the progress of cases has been followed monthly.
The object of the examination has been to determine the quality and functional power of the child's joint, muscle, and bone mech- anism. To this end measurements and tests have been made for the early detection of:
(a) Congenital anomalies such as club feet, deformities of the knees, dislocation of hips, delayed union of the spinal column, wry neck, etc.
(b) Birth injuries with paralyses.
(c) Affections of the bones due to nutritional disturb- ances such as rickets with its concomitant tendency to bow leg and knock knee.
(d) Static deformities including faulty posture, pronated feet, and lateral curvature of the spine.
The children examined have represented ages from early in- fancy (age one month) through the pre-school age (six years). The incidence of conditions occurring in the children examined was as follows:
Weak feet No. 31
Faulty posture, round shoulders, flat chests, prominent abdomen, weak backs. 15
Rickets with beginning bow legs or knock knees. 7
Birth injuries with paralyses. 4 Dislocated hips 1
Generalized muscles weakness with retarded joint function such as markedly delayed sitting, standing and walking 66
7
Faulty shoe and undergarment hygiene predisposing to foot disorders and poor posture 60
Each mother is given an explanation of the findings during the examination with recommendations for the care of her child. A large proportion of the advice has included directions for selecting proper footwear and instruction in exercises for muscle strength- ening.
It is not without some degree of gratification that we note that one of the youngest cases of congenital dislocation of the hip on
144
CITY OF QUINCY
record (age 6 months) was detected at our Quincy Clinic. Treat- ment for this child was instituted early enough so that she will have a normally functioning joint when she is ready to begin to walk.
Much of the success of this work is due to the interest and co- operation of Mrs. Fowler and Miss Keeley, nurses in attendance at the clinics. It has been their task to acquaint the mothers with the service which is offered.
In closing, it is my pleasure to pay tribute to you, Dr. Fitz- Gerald, whose foresight has allowed Preventive Orthopaedics to be a part of the Child Welfare program.
Respectfully submitted,
M. G. KATZEFF, M.D.
REPORT OF PRE-NATAL NURSE
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. E. B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1927:
Pre-natal visits
303
Blood pressures 120
Urinalyses 155
Visits to babies 842
Visits to contagious cases
195
Commencing about September 20th, most of my time was de- voted to taking histories preliminary to the survey conducted in the public schools by the State Department of Public Health.
During the last two weeks of the year my time was devoted to assisting the contagious nurse, quarantining and releasing measles cases.
Throughout the entire year I assisted at the Child Welfare Clinics as shown in Mrs. Fowler's report.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. KEELEY, R.N.
145
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF QUINCY DISPENSARY
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR DOCTOR :- The following report of Quincy Dispensary for the year ending December 31, 1927, is respectfully submitted:
Clinics held
51
Attendance at clinics
130
Contacts examined
67
Von Pirquet tests done on contacts 36
Undernourished or Underweight and Contact Clinic:
Clinics held
52
Attendance
652
Vaccinations done
11
VonPirquet tests done
55
For the actual figures as to the type of cases and disposal of same, see the report of Miss Russell, Tuberculosis Nurse.
To my mind, from a health standpoint, the outstanding problem for the City of Quincy is, "What is the best way to handle the so- called undernourished children, both school and pre-school age in the city ?"
Of course, practically speaking, this means the pre-tubercular treatment of children of school and pre-school age. Physical ex- amination, X-ray and tubercular tests prove this fact beyond doubt.
The first question is, "How many such cases of school and pre- school age exist in Quincy ?" An accurate survey of one school done by the Quincy Board of Health, about 11/2 years ago, showed 18 per cent needing definite treatment.
The present survey of Quincy public schools by Massachusetts State Board of Health physicians will give us an accurate idea of the number at the present time. In other cities tabulated, the per cent has been between 18-24 per cent.
Assuming Quincy to be average, we are forced to contemplate about 2,000 children in the city needing a definite regime of treat- ment to prevent their falling later, either into a state of Hilum T.B. or, what's worse, developing pulmonary tuberculosis. Of course, you must readily see that this is not the whole story, for there is probably a good proportion of children in the pre-school age that would greatly increase this if an accurate survey were done.
The next question in this problem is, How to handle it? The best method so far introduced is undoubtedly the one adopted by the State of Massachusetts in its so-called ten-year program, namely, life properly supervised, both medically and by counselors, wherein the children can be given forced nourishment, proper ex- ercises, live and sleep outdoors and all else that will be conducive to the quick developments of their general condition and especially their lungs.
To conserve time for education, vacation periods are chosen, with extension in the fall for those who do not quickly respond.
146
CITY OF QUINCY
Camp treatment when properly done is always expensive, but if improperly or insufficiently undertaken is, of course, of no value medically. The most economical and practical procedure is by the cooperation of several communities, such as the Norfolk County Hospital Association is now doing at Braintree. Here we have a health camp for boys and girls, admirably situated, and splendidly administered, supervised by a personnel of individual specialists in nursing, teaching, and athletic capacity, and all working har- moniously under the general supervision of the superintendent of Norfolk County Hospital, who also is a lung specialist.
With such a plant already built, it seems to me proper to spread the needs of these undernourished children before the council for definite financial aid-supported by general taxation, rather than depending, as at present, upon general charity.
The amount of money obtained from sale of Christmas seals is now the sole means of caring for these children and is far from adequate.
By stimulating civic interest and financial assistance now, we will not only do right by the children, but will avoid expending many times the amount in caring for tuberculosis patients and families of the future.
Preventive measures are not only the best but they are also the cheapest.
As is well known, the inducement for undertaking the problem of pre-tubercular condition of the children is that results at this age are practically 100 per cent cures, whereas left to adult age it is a very different story.
In closing, I wish especially to thank Miss Russell, the dispen- sary nurse, and yourself for your splendid cooperation during the year.
Yours truly,
C. J. LYNCH,
Dispensary Physician.
147
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS NURSE
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR DOCTOR :- I herewith submit to you my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1927, of the Tuberculosis Dispen- sary:
Cases of tuberculosis in city. 313
Active cases 171
Arrested cases 85
Hospital cases
57
New cases reported during the year
84
Pulmonary
74
Hilum
5
T.B. other
5
Disposition of new cases
Admitted to sanatoria
37
Died
At home 26
17
Moved away 2
Diagnosis revoked
2
Suspicious cases
Diagnosis changed from suspicious to Hilum 5
Admitted to sanatoria 4
0
Condition on discharge from sanatoria
Arrested
7
Improved
1
Against advice
14
Dead
15
Absconded
3
Unimproved
7
Quiescent
0
Transferred to other sanatoria 4
Own request
4
Hilum-well
5
All homes were visited after death of a patient and sanatorium cases, and disposition of clothing advised, etc. Sputum cups were provided free of charge to all active cases.
Deaths
48
At home 29
At sanatoria 16
At Quincy City Hospital 1
At Children's Hospital 1
At Dr. Reynolds' Private Hospital 1
Discharged improved not T.B.
148
CITY OF QUINCY
Transportation provided patients at sanatoria 20
Clinics held 51
Attendance at clinics 130
Visits made 1930
Referred to Welfare Department 1
Referred to City Physician
3
Referred to Dr. Harkins for eyes 2
Cases closed during the year
10
Clothing provided patients entering sanatoria.
2
Milk provided patients by Norfolk County Hospital Assoc. (quarts) 2289
Referred to own physician 2
Cases closed, addresses forwarded State Department. 10
Information received from doctors regarding condition of pri- vate patients 22
Cases reopened
Number of sputums examined
237
Contacts examined 67
Referred for X-rays
25
Result of X-ray
Hilum 3
T/B adenitis 0
Pulmonary 0
Suspicious 2.2
0
VonPirquet tests done on contacts 36
Negative
9
Positive 27
Forty-eight cases were referred to the Norfolk County Hospital for X-ray and further examinations by Dr. Pillsbury during the year and but two (2) were provided with transportation.
Undernourished or Underweight and Contact Clinic
Clinics held 52
Attendance 652
Referred to Quincy City Hospital for tonsils and adenoids. 9
Vaccinations done 11
VonPirquet tests done 55
Negative 24
Positive 31
Referred to Boston Dispensary for extraction of teeth 1
Referred to the Children's Hospital for treatment. 2
Sent to Deaconess Convalescent Home 1
Referred to Norfolk County Hospital for X-rays. 36
The Saturday morning clinics have increased in attendance of 160 this year over last year, and the interest which the children and parents have shown has been very pleasing to the workers. Dr. Lynch has personally attended the fifty-two children's clinics and fifty-one adult clinics.
In connection with our children's clinic we are fortunate in hav- ing our Norfolk County Health Camp at Braintree Highlands, where the children were carefully supervised by Dr. Nahum S. Pillsbury, superintendent of the Norfolk County Hospital, and the
4
Contacts of tuberculosis 149
Negative
149
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
assistance of two graduate nurses, one for the boys' camp and one for the girls' camp; also eight women counselors.
This year our Braintree camp had an enrollment of eighty (80) children, forty (40) boys and forty (40) girls.
Each counselor was responsible for her ten children, and daily routine was followed throughout the camp life. A graduate of the Forsyth Dental School had charge of the tooth brush drills and stressed the importance of clean teeth towards good health. Every child attended his own church on Sunday. The usual picnic was held at Duxbury Beach. No medicine was administered with the exception of one ounce of cod liver oil twice a day.
The usual stay of the camp children is eight weeks, but this year there were twenty children who needed extended camp life so arrangements were made through Dr. Pillsbury to keep the twenty (20) children for six more weeks. Ten of these were from Quincy. A teacher was hired and school session was held daily. Our aver- age gain for the girls was 6.12 pounds and for the boys 5.29 pounds, our camp having made one of the biggest gains in all the camps.
I regret that I was unable to send my full quota of thirty-two children to camp, but due to lack of funds Brookline was given Quincy's quota and Quincy sent twenty (20)-all that I had money for.
In closing, I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to the personnel of the Health Department who gave their cooperation during the year; to Dr. Lynch, dispensary physician, and Dr. Pills- bury of the Norfolk County Hospital, for his interest in my pa- tients, especially the camp children; also Mr. Furnald and Miss Waddell, who gave their assistance to the less fortunate cases. This year we had a new worker in our midst, Miss Thomas, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, who so cheer- fully rendered aid to three of my cases.
Respectfully submitted,
GERTRUDE T. RUSSELL, R.N., Dispensary Nursc.
150
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF CONTAGIOUS NURSE
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR DOCTOR :- I herewith submit my third annual report of contagious work for the year ending 1927.
1,194 cases of diseases were reported as follows:
Measles
409
Scarlet fever
376
Whooping cough
92
Chicken pox
82
Mumps
80
Diphtheria
54
Lobar Pneumonia
37
Anterior Poliomyelitis
17
German measles
13
Influenza
12
Encephalitis
2
Rabid dog bite
11
Septic sore throat
2
Typhoid fever
4
Actinomycosis
1
Ophthalmia
3
Measles
There was the usual outbreak of measles during the spring months. During the middle of December the disease became epi- demic in Atlantic and Wollaston. One death has occurred from this disease.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever was unusually prevalent during the year, affecting principally Wards 1 and 2. Most of the cases were of a mild type. Of the 376 cases reported, 62 of these were sent to the Brighton Hospital for treatment. There was a total of six deaths; four occurred in Quincy and two in the hospital.
Diphtheria
Much has been done during the past year in the prevention of this disease. The three toxin anti-toxin treatments were given to 2,803 school children. In March a clinic was started to give the children of pre-school age the treatments. It is held once a week for three successive weeks in each ward of the city. During the past year 289 children of pre-school age have had the three treat- ments, making a total of 3,092 children immunized.
Of the 54 cases reported during the year, 11 cases were cared for in Brighton Hospital. In connection with the follow-up work 428 cultures were taken. Some carriers were found by this means. One death in Quincy and one in the hospital resulted from diph- theria.
151
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Anterior Poliomyelitis
Seventeen cases were reported during August, September and October, many more than the previous year, yet Quincy was for- tunate in not having the epidemic that occurred in other cities. One patient died at home.
Mumps-Chicken Pox
Eighty cases of mumps were reported, mostly from Ward 6. Eighty-two cases of chicken pox were reported from the various wards of the city.
Whooping Cough
Ninety-two cases were reported from Wards 5 and 6. Two deaths occurred from this disease.
Typhoid Fever
Only four cases reported during 1927. These cases were inves- tigated. Nothing definite regarding the source of infection in two cases could be obtained. The other two cases were no doubt con- tracted outside of the city. There was one death.
Lobar Pneumonia-Influenza
Twenty deaths occurred out of the 37 cases of lobar reported. Out of 11 cases of influenza reported there were nine deaths.
In connection with contagious follow-up work 2,594 visits were made, including checking up on quarantine rules, the taking of cultures and examination of contacts and releases from quaran- tine. One hundred visits were made in connection with the school clinic histories.
Office hours were held daily from 9 to 9.30 A. M. and 1 to 1.30 P. M. in the Health Department by the contagious nurse. One afternoon a week was spent at the T. A. T. clinics held in the various wards.
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE F. COLEMAN, R.N., Contagious Nurse.
152
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF QUINCY HABIT CLINIC
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR DR. FITZGERALD :- The following is a report of the Quincy Habit Clinic from January 1, 1927, to December 31, 1927.
Number of weekly clinics held.
47
Number of new cases referred
48
Number of children attending-new
42
Number of children attending-old.
12
Total number of children attending
54
Number of visits made by children.
171
Number of visits made by social worker
273
Problems for which referred:
Behavior problems, viz., screaming, temper, disobedience, crying, negativism, irritability
13
Speech disorders
"Nervousness"
8
Retardation
8
Enuresis
5
Food capriciousness
5
Thumb-sucking
5
Poor school work
3
Fears
2
Masturbation
2
Nail biting
2
Question of feeble-mindedness.
2
Babyishness
1
Lying
1
Shyness Soiling
1
Stealing
1
Truancy
1
Sources of case material:
Physicians
11
Schools
11
Patients brought by mothers.
8
Mothers of other patients.
5
Nurses
4
Quincy F. W. S.
2
Other hospitals
2
S. P. C. C.
2
Social workers of Habit Clinic.
2
Children's Bureau
1
There has been conducted, in conjunction with clinical work done by the Division of Mental Hygiene, a relatively extensive educa- tional program which was done in an effort to educate the com- munity in the problems of mental hygiene and the type of service
9
Pre-chool age 31
1
153
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
that such a specialized clinic had to offer. This part of the pro- gram has been carried on through cooperation of such groups, as Wollaston Women's Club, Quincy Women's Club, City Federation of Women's Clubs, and Parent-Teacher Association, and talks to the teachers in the schools. The local newspaper has been most helpful in its willingness to aid the clinic in its educational pro- gram.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVE A. COOPER, M.D., Assistant to Director Division of Mental Hygiene.
REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. E. B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is submitted my report for the year end- ing December 31, 1927.
Inspec- tions
Com- plaints
No-
Cesspools
114
75
62
Unsanitary toilets
15
11
9
Drainage
45
38
15
Candy kitchens
21
0
0
Piggeries
5
5
3
Privy vaults
14
11
3
Crowing roosters
0
12
20
Dumps and yards.
157
112
84
Garbage
26
26
20
Smoke nuisance
8
4
3
Unsanitary dwellings
30
26
18
Barber shops
143
0
0
Poultry yards
47
45
38
Stores
226
3
26
Dust and odors from industries.
16
22
3
Restaurants
102
1
15
Stables
2
1
1
Bakeries
106
0
3
Sewer connection
141
Total
1,077
392
464
Premises connected to sewer after notice.
Privy vaults abandoned
By connection to sewer.
22
By connection to cesspool.
19
Torn down
6
Total
47
...
32
tices
154
CITY OF QUINCY
Coal Dust Nuisance
The coal blowing from the plant of the Edison Electric Illumi- nating Company at North Weymouth was the source of numerous complaints during the spring and summer months. There has been some improvement in conditions over the preceding summer, and it is hoped with the continued cooperation of the Edison officials and the State Department of Public Health that there will be still further improvements.
Harbor Pollution
In my report for 1926 reference was made to the pollution of the bathing beaches. Numerous complaints were received during the past summer that under certain tidal and wind conditions that the water was covered with a thick black scum and that bathing was practically impossible. A resolve will be introduced into the 1928 session of the legislature calling for an investigation by the State Department of Public Health to determine the source or sources of the nuisance.
Garbage
During the early spring, steps were taken to compel every per- son transporting garbage through the streets of the city to regis- ter with the Department of Health as required by law. The regu- lations of this department relative to the conditions of the vehicles used were enforced, resulting in a big improvement in this respect.
It might not be amiss to suggest that some consideration be given in the very near future to other methods of garbage disposal. Quincy has been more fortunate than most cities and the cost of disposal is comparatively low. At the present time the garbage is sold to farmers in outlying towns to be used in feeding to pigs. These towns are growing very rapidly and it is only a question of a few years before the boards of health in these towns will refuse to grant permits for the keeping of pigs. When that time comes this city will be compelled to adopt some other method of disposal.
Respectfully submitted,
A. A. ROBERTSON, Sanitary Inspector.
155
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. E. B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is submitted my report of activities other than those as Sanitary Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Culture Stations
Culture stations were maintained at eight drug stores in various sections of the city where smallpox virus, various culture outfits and diphtheria anti-toxin were available for physicians.
A supply of serums was kept at the Dispensary and a supply of culture outfits at the office in City Hall.
In addition to serums supplied by the State Department of Pub- lic Health, the following materials. were supplied by this depart- ment:
Scarlet fever toxin for active immunization.
Dick test outfits for determining susceptibility to scarlet fever. Anti-rabic serum.
Diphtheria Prevention Clinics
During the year 40 diphtheria prevention clinics were conducted by this department in addition to those held in the public and parochial schools. These clinics were conducted once a week in conjunction with the child welfare clinics. The attendance since the first of September has averaged over 75 each week. It is of interest to note that the attendance has been larger when the appeal was sent to the child itself than was the case when the appeal was sent to the parents.
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 1927.
Morbidity reports by wards were prepared each month, and these reports were consolidated at the end of the 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.
Newspaper Publicity
The Patriot-Ledger has been very generous in devoting space to the activities of this department. A report of communicable diseases and deaths was published weekly throughout the year. Special articles on various phases of public health activities were prepared and published from time to time.
Health Education
The Health Department booth at the Chamber of Commerce "Trading Post" acquainted a large number of people with the
156
CITY OF QUINCY
departmental activities. It is not possible to estimate the number of persons who visited the booth during the three days of the Trading Post, but some idea may be gained when it is stated that two reels of motion pictures, one on diphtheria prevention and another on milk, were shown 19 different times to approximately 2,800 people.
Commencing June 1, 1927, this department issued a "Monthly Bulletin," which was mailed to physicians, school masters and others throughout the city. The mailing list at present numbers over 350.
Venereal Diseases
During the year 26 cases of venereal diseases were reported as follows:
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Total 26 9 17
Notices of discontinued treatment before being rendered non- infectious were received in 12 cases, and in 9 of these cases we were successful in having the patient returned to treatment.
Respectfully submitted,
A. A. ROBERTSON.
157
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
JANUARY 1, 1928.
DR. E. B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit the following report of the Sani- tary Milk Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1927.
The following statistics refer to milk, cream, ice cream and oleo- margarine consumed, processed and produced in the city of Quincy:
Dairies in City of Quincy
1 cow 19
2 cows 4
3 to 5 cows 6
5 to 10 cows 3
11 to 25 cows 5
26 and over
3
Total number of dairies in Quincy
39
Total number of dairies within 15 miles. 9
Total number of cows in Quincy. 296
Total number of cows within 15 miles. 211
Total number of cows supplying milk to Quincy 507
Raw milk supplied to Quincy (quarts) 3,407
Milk contractors' processing and storage plants in Quincy and nearby towns:
In Quincy 6
In Holbrook 2
In Randolph 2
In Hingham 2
In Milton 2
In North Pembroke 1
In Southboro
1
Teams, auto cars and trucks employed in the distribution
of milk, cream and ice cream 127
Milk consumed in Quincy per day (quarts) 30,474
Pasteurized milk consumed in Quincy per day (quarts) 27,069
Raw milk consumed in Quincy per day (quarts) 3,405
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.