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 1930 > Part 8
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
Sixty visits were made in the homes to obtain histories for the White House Conference.
Office hours were held daily: 9-9.30 A. M. 1-1.30 P. M.
In the follow-up work, 2,634 visits have been made, including checking up of quarantine rules, taking of cultures, examination of contacts and releases from quarantine. Visits have been made to St. John's and St. Joseph's Schools in connection with the work.
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE F. COLEMAN, R.N.,
Contagious Disease Nurse.
135
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE PHYSICIAN FOR VENEREAL DISEASES
JANUARY 1, 1931.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- During the year 1930, forty-four (44) individuals came to the two clinics for advice, examination, or treatment as follows :-
Received treatment for:
Gonorrhoea Syphilis
10
7
Wasserman tests for syphilis
23
23
Smears for gonorrhoea
20
4
Irrigations for gonorrhoea
74
0
Injections of bismuth for syphilis
137
76
Injections of arsphenamine for syphilis
99
35
Total number of visits
325
122
Male 11
Female
1
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN E. SMITH, M.D.,
136
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF DISPENSARY PHYSICIAN
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR DOCTOR :- The dispensary records during the past year reveal that Quincy has had a marked increase in pulmonary tuber- culosis. During 1929 sixty-nine new pulmonary cases were re- ported, whereas in 1930 there were ninety-six. This was true of the entire state, as at times the state sanatoria had to call upon private sanatoria to take care of their overflow. Despite this in- crease of new cases, we had less active cases at the end of the year. During the past year we hospitalized over 60 per cent of the active pulmonary cases, and over 90 per cent of the active childhood type were sent to the sanatoria.
Early diagnosis, immediate hospitalization and vigorous check- up on all contacts is the right way to attack and control tubercu- losis. That is what we are doing in Quincy-and better during the past year than any previous time.
I doubt if any other city of our size is doing more than Quincy. The budget appropriation for tuberculosis is large-both for the childhood and adult type of tuberculosis. The spirit of cooperation between the administration and physicians in general practice is enviable. This is as it should be and should be continued.
Number of new contacts reported and examined are increasing and this is a sign of progress. The importance of focal infection in all cases is stressed and there was a noted increase of correcting defects from diseased tonsils, bad teeth and all sinus trouble. More tuberclin tests were done and more X-rays were taken during the year.
"Camp"
The usual good results were obtained from our Norfolk Health Camp during the year. A new venture during 1930 was sending a group of older girls, 14-17 years, for eight weeks, and results seemed worth while. This group composed girls who were camp cases in their early ages and who now are latent Hilum cases and need further attention. This group was afterwards formed into a health club, and attended lectures twice a month at the dispensary during the last three months of the year. This method kept us in touch with these cases. All enjoyed the classes and they increased in weight during this time. Both these ventures are worth while and should be continued.
"Undernourished Clinic"
The clinic is showing its usual yearly progress. The physicians during the past year have made far more use of the dispensary equipment for quick and efficient diagnosis. This is gratifying and I hope it will continue.
But, despite all this, I feel the time has arrived when the child- hood type of tuberculosis should be attacked in a much bigger way. The source and supply of these cases is mainly in the schools, and it is here that we should make our big fight to overcome the con- dition of juvenile tuberculosis.
In your schools you have a general enrollment for education. Conjointly you should also have an enrollment for health. Educa- tion at the expense of health is futile.
Other states and cities have adopted measures along these lines and are getting good results. For some few years, Boston, for
137
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
121/2c per pupil per day, has attracted attention to her good re- sults. Quincy should not lag behind.
I have already presented the idea to the school committee and received unanimous approval. The obstacle presented is that there are no rooms available. Rooms should be provided. Economically, the idea is sound. Furthermore, the welfare of the children de- mands that some plans should be adopted.
In closing, I would again advise a trained social worker for the city. Such a person working in conjunction with the present agencies would add great efficiency and in time would be an eco- nomical investment for the city. A detailed report of the adult and juvenile clinics at the dispensary for the past year is included.
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. LYNCH, M.D., Dispensary Physician.
138
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF DISPENSARY NURSES
JANUARY 1, 1931.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner:
DEAR DOCTOR :- We herewith submit to you our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the city
283
Active cases 111
Arrested cases 116
Cases in sanatoria 56
Cases of childhood type of tuberculosis in the city 191
Active cases 109
Latent cases 48
Cases in sanatoria
34
T. B. other cases in the city
34
T. B. other cases in sanatoria 7
T. B. other cases at home under treatment 6 Latent cases 21
Total number of all kinds of tuberculosis reported in the city 508
New cases of tuberculosis reported during the year. 141
Pulmonary 96
Childhood Type 36
T. B. other 7
Disposition of pulmonary cases
Received sanatorium treatment 63
At home under treatment 18
Working
6
Died at home 5
Died at sanatoria 7
Reported by death certificate 4
Disposition of new childhood type of tuberculosis cases Admitted to sanatoria 32
Under supervision at home 4
Disposition of new T. B. other cases
Reported by death certificate
1
Admitted to sanatoria 3
At home under supervision 3
Disposition of suspicious pulmonary cases
Admitted to sanatoria for observation 3
At home under supervision 2
Diagnosed pulmonary from observation 2
Discharged from sanatoria negative 1
Condition of pulmonary cases upon discharge from sanatoria 7
Arrested
Improved 10
Quiescent 7
Unimproved 1
Dead
16
139
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Number of adults referred to Norfolk County Hospital for chest X-rays
Result of X-rays Negative for T. B. 22
Diagnosed Pulmonary
9
Suspicious Pulmonary
5
Tuberculin tests done on adult patients
33
Negative 9
Positive 24
Total number of deaths reported in the city for the year 40
Died at home 20
Died at Norfolk County Hospital 17
Died at Tewksbury State Infirmary 1
Died at Vermont Sanatorium 1
Died at Quincy City Hospital 1
Adult clinics held during the year
49
Attendance 130
Registration 56
There were only three minimal cases of tuberculosis reported for the year.
Total number of visits made during the year by both nurses 1,989
Cases referred to Public Welfare Department for aid 20
Cases referred to City Physician 14
Cases closed and addresses forwarded to other cities and State Department of Public Health
15
Cases reopened
5
Visits made to ex-sanatoria cases
422
Milk provided for needy patients by the Norfolk County Health Association and the City (quarts) 4,687
Information received from doctors regarding condition of private patients 7
Number of sputum examinations made on Quincy cases 119
Cases closed out as non-tubercular 7
Number of new contacts on record during the year 243
Number of new contacts who consented to examinations .... 190
All ex-sanatoria cases which could be located were visited in the home by the dispensary nurses, with the exception of private cases. All homes were visited upon report of a new case and disposition made. All homes were visited after a death and advice given. All active cases were supplied, free of charge, with sputum boxes, paper napkins and paper waste bags-so that all possible precau- tions could be taken for contacts. No case was visited without permission of the attending physician.
All cases going to Norfolk County Hospital as patients or for X-rays were provided with transportation by the nurses.
Undernourished and Contact Children's Clinic Number of clinics held during the year
95
Attendance at clinics 1,883
Registration at clinics 296
Total number of contacts examined during the year 570
Total number of new contacts examined 108
Cases referred to the Quincy City Hospital for tonsil and adenoid operations 62
Cases referred to the Kiwanis Club for tonsil and adenoid operations 6
140
CITY OF QUINCY
Cases referred for dental work 106 Vaccinations done on city cases 14
Tuberculin tests done Negative 87
225
Positive 127
Referred to Norfolk County Hospital for X-ray of chest. 174
Registration of children at North Reading and Westfield Sanatoria for the year 65
Registration of children at North Reading and Westfield Sanatoria at end of year 35
Suspicious cases discharged "Well" no disease 7
Childhood type discharged "Apparently Arrested" 15
Childhood type discharged against advice "Improved" 4
Pulmonary cases discharged against advice "Improved" 3
Number of children admitted to "Norfolk Health Camp" for eight weeks 39
Transportation for these children was provided by nurses of the Health Department
Children provided with transportation going to North Reading Sanatorium 10
Nurses attended:
Annual Norfolk County Health Meeting at Braintree.
Norfolk County Health Meet, Little Building, Boston.
Nurses' Public Health Meeting, Y. W. C. A., Boston.
Each nurse made sixty home calls for Hoover Survey.
Assisted at children's outing at Nantasket Beach.
Attended Camp children's outing at Duxbury Beach.
Assisted at T. A. T. clinics in schools (9), Miss Russell.
Additional clinic work done by Miss Keeley:
Total number of visits made to homes on contagious dis- eases, as scarlet fever, measles and diphtheria 321
T. A. T. clinics in schools 36
T. A. T. clinics about the city 24
Baby clinics 12
Pre-school clinics 1
Assisted at physical examinations on children at St. John's and St. Joseph's Schools. Provided transportation for St. Joseph's School children to dental clinic at dis- pensary. Made home calls for White House Child 60
Conference
Respectfully submitted, GERTRUDE T. RUSSELL, R.N., MARY E. KEELEY, R.N.,
Dispensary Nurses.
141
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF CHILD WELFARE PHYSICIAN
JANUARY 1, 1931.
EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, M.D., Commissioner of Health, City _of Quincy, Mass .:
DEAR DR. FITZGERALD :- It is my privilege to submit to you the report of the Child Welfare Clinics of Quincy for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Statistics
Total Clinic registration
5,241
Well Baby Clinics
2,887
Pre-school Clinics 222
Orthopedic Clinics
272
Nutrition Conferences 1,860
Number of Clinics
466
Well Baby Clinics
304
Pre-school Clinics
50
Orthopedic Clinics
14
Nutrition Conferences
98
Total Clinic Attendance
7,646
Well Baby Clinics
7,145
Pre-school Clinics
251
Orthopedic Clinics
250
Total Home Visits by Nurses
3,122
Babies
2,712
Pre-school
234
Nutritionist's visits
82
A more detailed analysis of these figures will be found in the reports of the Child Welfare Nurses, the Nutritionist, and Ortho- pedic Clinic Report.
In general, the statistical report for the year 1930 shows a slight increase in registration, new enrollments and attendance. The fewer number of home visits made this year by the nurses may be explained by the fact that it was necessary for them to be in at- tendance at other clinics, dental and school examinations. More- over, the figure of 120 White House Conference home visits repre- sents more hours spent on a small number of children than the regular home visits indicate,
Comparison of Annual Reports of Well Baby Clinics
Year
Registration New Enrollments Attendance
1926.
1,561
497
7,800
1927
1,752
622
7,047
1928.
2,130
693
7,293
1929
2,783
652
6,795
1930.
2,887
717
7,145
No effort is made by the Child Welfare Staff to increase the clinic registration. The registration figure, therefore, represents a voluntary expression of parents' desire to seek the advice and assistance in child care which clinic offers.
142
CITY OF QUINCY
Reference of Children
During the year 342 children have been referred from the clinics to the care of practicing physicians and dentists in the community. The details of these referrals may be found in the report of the Child Welfare Nurse.
It has greatly increased the efficiency of the clinic recommenda- tions for health to be able to refer children directly from the Child Welfare Clinics to: (1) The Quincy City Hospital for throat con- sultations and treatments, (2) The State Habit Clinic for guidance, (3) The Dental Clinics for dental advice.
Nutrition Work
Through the continued generosity of the American Red Cross the children's clinics have had the benefit of the instruction of a nutritionist. Miss Dorothy M. Lane, American Red Cross Nutri- tionist, was appointed in May, 1930, to carry, on a full-time basis, the work previously directed by Mrs. Mildred M. Burnham, whose resignation was accepted with regret.
Miss Lane's time was shared by the Undernourished Children's Clinic, Dental Clinic, Child Welfare Clinics and Mothers' Classes.
In the Child Welfare Clinics she conducted a program of instruc- tion in nutrition through weekly demonstrations, informal and group talks, individual conferences with parents and home visits at the recommendation of doctors or nurses.
She has prepared, for publication, a recipe book of foods suitable for children, ages 7 months to 7 years. The material is excellently arranged to be helpful to parents of this age group.
The experimental phase of the nutrition program has led to a conviction that parents attending the clinics need and desire help in simple food choice and preparation for growing children-that parents of the children 1 year to 6 years of age need this help most-that the person in charge of such a program in the clinics must be a versatile teacher and have understanding experience in the problems of the parents.
The Nutritionist's report will give the scope of her work, which has been much appreciated.
Orthopedic Clinic
The Orthopedic Clinic has rounded out its third year of service as a part of the Child Welfare Program in Quincy. It is gratify- ing to be able to report that in this clinic this year 250 children have received advice leading to the correction of conditions which, if neglected, would have resulted in deformity. To one interested in the maintenance of efficient health the significance of this clinic's work will have a stimulating appeal. As a pioneer in this field of service for children Quincy has set a standard for positive health work.
Volunteer Help
Volunteer workers in the clinics this year have included dele- gates from:
The Wollaston Woman's Club.
The Wollaston Mothers' Club.
The Girl Scouts.
The Graduate School, Harvard Medical School.
Additional volunteer help could be used if the clinic meeting places afforded more space for the activities which such a group might conduct.
143
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Quincy Center Clinic at Woodward Institute is the only one which is ideally housed. At this clinic there is ample space for baby carriages, dressing the babies, weighing, play space for the runabouts, table space for demonstrations, quiet, warm room for examination of children and conference, safe storage space for clinic equipment.
Recommendations and Acknowledgments
It is recommended that the Child Welfare Clinics continue to carry on the full program of activities for health work of infants and pre-school children which has, in the past, so evidently met the need of parents and children. It is further recommended that ad- ditions and renewals be made to the equipment of these clinics.
It has been a continued privilege to work under the direction of a commissioner whose understanding of Child Welfare has encour- aged the progress of clinic instruction, and to have the able assist- ance of Mrs. Fowler and Miss Marr as clinic executives.
The Child Welfare Nurses are doing a high type of teaching in the home, a fact best appreciated by the mothers who experience the benefits of their guidance.
For this cooperation grateful appreciation is expressed to the personnel of the Health Office and other members of the Health Department Staff, the Quincy Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Wollaston Mothers' Club, the Wollaston Woman's Club, the Girl Scouts, the Fore River Club, the North Quincy Council, Knights of Columbus, and the Trustees of Woodward Institute.
Respectfully submitted,
RACHEL L. HARDWICK, M.D.,
Child Welfare Physician.
144
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF CHILD WELFARE NURSES
JANUARY 1, 1931.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner :
DEAR SIR :- It is with pleasure that I submit the report of Child Welfare activities for the year 1930.
There were 304 Well Baby Clinics held with a total of 2,883 babies having been registered. Of this number 563 have moved from the city, 97 transferred to the Pre-school Clinic, 293 came only for correct weight or were referred back to the doctor whose feedings they were previously following, 449 are active only bi- annually on account of large families or illness in the home, but who receive check-up home visits. There were 10 deaths in this group.
A weekly Pre-school Clinic was held, 52 clinics and a registra- tion of 304 children over 21/2 years of age. There were 93 referred to the School Department, 68 moved from the city, and 2 deaths, leaving a total active registration of 135 on December 31st.
A monthly Orthopedic Clinic was held from January to Novem- ber, when it was held bi-monthly. There were 14 clinics held. Registration was 272 and on December 31st, the active registra- tion 228 children, 44 having been transferred to the Children's Hospital for follow-up treatment, or have moved from the city.
Through the generosity of the American Red Cross, Mrs. Mil- dred Burnham, who was on May 1st succeeded by Miss Dorothy Lane, gave very helpful lectures, instructions and demonstrations on combining and the preparation of foods. She also gave very helpful hints on the clothing for children at different seasons of the year. Her time was divided between the various clinics, as well as making home visits which brought her in closer touch with the actual nutrition problems. A more detailed account will be given in her annual report.
A Pre-school Dental Clinic was also made possible by the gen- erosity of the Local Chapter of the American Red Cross, therefore making the first clinic in Mouth Health Education in the pre-school program.
We extend our thanks and appreciation to the Wollaston Wom- an's and Mothers' Clubs, the Girl Scouts and the Vincent Club and the graduates of the Harvard Medical School for their volunteer services.
The following is a summary of the Child Welfare activities for the year 1930 :-
Visits to the pre-school group 234
Visits to babies 2,712
Visits for the White House Conference 120
Visits to and inspection of 20 boarding houses 148
Children placed for temporary board 8
Referred to Children's Hospital by clinic doctor 23
(Out-Patient Department)
Medical
6
Orthopedic 4
Muscle training 3
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
145
Lip reading
1
Speech training
2
Nerve
2
Skin
3
Surgical
2
Referred to Quincy Hospital
4
Tonsillectomy Ultra-violet
4
Referred to Dental Clinic or dentists
29
Referred to oculist
2
Referred to Eye and Ear Infirmary
2
Referred to eye and ear doctor
3
Referred to private school for lip reading
1
Referred to local M.D. by clinic doctor
222
Referred to local M.D. by clinic nurses
84
Referred to specialists (Mongolian)
2
Intra Dermal tests
3
Deaths
Bronchial Pneumonia
5
Bronchial Pneumonia (Syphilis)
1
Bronchial Pneumonia (following Measles)
2
Bronchial Pneumonia (Eczema)
1
Bronchial Pneumonia (Mongolianism)
1
Bronchial Pneumonia (birth injury)
1
Cause unknown
1
Total number of deaths
12
Day
Station
Attend- ance
Exam-
Active Reg. istration
Mondays
South Quincy
1,244
888
New 112
247
Mondays
Houghs Neck
403
354
45
69
Tuesdays
Wollaston
1,309
1,015
131
189
Wednesdays Quincy Point
960
848
111
167
Thursdays
Woodward
1,305
1,019
146
207
Fridays
Atlantic
1,600
1,034
139
205
Fridays
West Quincy
326
313
33
67
Baby Clinic totals
7,145
5,471
717
1,151
Pre-school Clinics
251
251
110
135
Orthopedic Clinics
250
246
95
228
7,646
5,968
922
1,514
Respectfully submitted,
NETTIE DENTON FOWLER, R.N., MARY ELIZABETH MARR, R.N., Child Welfare Nurses.
1 11
X-rays
3
Referred to New England Hospital (scurvy)
ined
146
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF ORTHOPEDIC PHYSICIAN
JANUARY 1, 1931.
DR. E. B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner, Quincy, Mass .:
DEAR DR. FITZGERALD :- The following is the report of the Orthopedic Clinics maintained by the City of Quincy as part of its Child Welfare Program for the year 1930:
There have been fourteen clinics, one held on the second Thurs- day of the month from January to October. During November and December there were two clinics each month, held on the sec- ond and third Thursdays.
Two hundred and fifty children have been examined; 155 chil- dren have returned this year for the usual educational orthopedic advice; 95 new children were admitted to the clinics.
The types of othopedic conditions found at the clinics may be classified as follows:
Pronated feet
175
Pronated feet and knock knees
10
Knock knees
8
Bow legs
12
Retarded development
8
Birth injury
5
Torticollis
3
5
Apophysitis
1
Funnel chest
1
Pigeon breast
1
Webbed fingers
1
Webbed toes
1
Plantar wart
1
Forefoot adduction
1
1
Hyperextended knees
16
Healthy children without defects
Total 250
Interest in the Orthopedic Clinic continues to grow, as shown by the figures of preceding years.
Report of 1927 89 children
Report of 1928 164 children
Report of 1929. 208 children
Report of 1930.
250 children
I wish to pay tribute to Dr. R. L. Hardwick, to the Child Welfare Nurses and the Commissioner of Health for their hearty coopera- tion and help in making the Orthopedic Clinic an interesting one.
. Respectfully submitted,
M. G. KATZEFF, M.D.,
Orthopedic Physician.
Generalized muscular atonia
147
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF QUINCY HABIT CLINIC
JANUARY 1, 1931.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner, Quincy, Mass .:
MY DEAR DOCTOR FITZGERALD :- Herewith is a report of the ac- tivities of the Habit Clinics during the past year.
The Habit Clinics of the Massachusetts Division of Mental Hy- giene have concluded a satisfying and productive program during the past year at the Woodward Institute.
Although the activities as expressed numerically are somewhat below those of the previous year, there has been a compensation in the opportunity for more intensive work in the individual cases, and a widening in the scope of community education by means of which a greater number of individuals have been made conversant with the aim and function of the clinic. This has meant that the clinic has been utilized for consultation purposes by many who heretofore had never known of the service that was procurable.
This year, as in previous years, the clinic has had the cooperation and approval of the school system which facilitated the educational work done for the personnel in that field along the lines of mental hygiene. This has been done by group talks to the teachers of the primary grades in all the public schools throughout the city. It has made teachers aware of the fact that mental hygienists and edu- cators are aiming for the same goal, namely, to prepare the child for later life and also, that the clinic has much to offer them in the way of assistance in the solution of problems of maladjustment in the early years of school life. The educational program, in addi- tion to including the schools, has included other groups, namely, social agencies, mothers' clubs, nursery schools, and so forth.
The social service staff of the clinic has continued in its active service in the field work and has received invaluable assistance from local social agencies who have in all cases responded readily and willingly to any request from the clinic for cooperation.
Number of weekly clinics held 46
Number of new cases 80
Number of old cases seen
100
Number of visits made by children 277
Number of visits made by social worker to home. 471
Referring Agencies
Individuals
47
School system
14
Physicians
18
Tuberculosis Clinic
1
Problems Referred for
Disobedience
17
Diagnosis
17
Food capriciousness
12
Poor school adjustment
11
Enuresis
11
Thumbsucking
7
Nervousness
6
148
CITY OF QUINCY
Speech defect
5 Night terrors 4 1 Fussiness Hair twisting
1
The Division of Mental Hygiene wishes to express appreciation to all those who have helped to make this past year's program a success.
Very truly yours, OLIVE A. COOPER, M.D.,
Assistant to Director, Division of Mental Hygiene.
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.