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 1933 > 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
Died at the Veterans' Hospital 1
Died at Norfolk County Hospital 12
Died at Tewksbury State Infirmary 1
All ex-sanatoria cases that can be located are visited regularly by the dispensary nurses-attention being emphasized on re-ex- amination and X-rays. All private cases are followed through the family physician. All new cases are visited only by permission of the physician reporting the case. On these home visits-we give instructions to patient and family regarding precautions (sputum boxes being provided the patient through the health de- partment free of charge)-so that further spread of the disease may be checked. When possible we bring all contacts to the dis- pensary for physical examination, T. B. skin test, and X-ray. This examination is also done by permission of the attending physician. A copy of our findings is sent the physician. All of our cases are X-rayed at the Norfolk County Hospital on Tuesday mornings at 9.30. The nurses transport these cases. All homes are visited after a death from tuberculosis and instruction given for care of bedding and dishes, etc., and a careful check-up is made to have all contacts examined regularly.
"Undernourished and Contact Children's Clinic"
Total number of clinics held 52
Attendance at clinic 2,021
Registration at clinics 587
Number of contacts examined 759
Old contacts 661
New contacts 98
Cases referred to the Q. C. H. for T. and A 72
Cases referred to Dr. Harkins (ear) 3
T. B. skin tests done 297
Positive reactors 66
Negative reactors 231
Number of children X-rayed Contacts 97
140
Non-contacts 43
Total number of children sent to Camp Norfolk for 8 weeks 34
Boys from 8-13 years
14
Girls from 8-13 years 12
Girls from 14-18 years 8
These children were carefully chosen by Dr. Lynch, our dispen- sary physician (family history, per cent underweight, T. B. skin test, physical examination), and were sent to Dr. Pillsbury (super- intendent of the Norfolk County Hospital and Camp Norfolk) for X-ray, where final decision was made as to their fitness for camp. As nearly as possible, all children going to camp had the necessary dental work done, and infected tonsils and adenoids removed, so that every possible chance of drawbacks from focal infection could be guarded against.
Total number of sputum examinations made 174 Total number of visits to and in behalf of patients 2,539
Total number of visits to contacts made 1,741
Total number of visits to preventorium cases 309
129
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Total number of visits to post sanatorium cases .... 489 Total number of cases hospitalized during the year (adults) 50 Total number of cases hospitalized (children under 12) ....... 14
"Norfolk County Hospital"
Total number of cases admitted during the year 47
Total registration of cases during the year 98
Total registration of cases at the end of the year 64
Condition of patients on discharge from the sanatorium: "Arrested" cases 10
Left against advice-"Improved"
3
Left against advice-"Unimproved" 6
Discharged "dead"
12
Discharged "non-tubercular"-(sent in for observa- tion) 1
Discharged-"own request"-quiescent 2
One case left against advice and was readmitted to stay. One case admitted twice and left twice against advice.
"North Reading State Sanatorium for Children"
Cases admitted during the year 16
Total registration during the year 21
Total registration at end of the year 11
Condition of patients on discharge from sanatorium:
Discharged against advice "unimproved" 2
Discharged apparently "arrested" 5
Discharged well-malnutrition-but no T. B. 2
Discharged improved from lung abscess 1
"Westfield State Sanatorium for Children"
Cases admitted during the year 2
Total registration during the year 5
Total registration at end of the year 5
No cases were discharged during the year.
Massachusetts State School for Crippled Children-"Canton" One case registered (T. B. knee) from Quincy.
Lakeville State Sanatorium for T. B. Other Cases
Cases admitted during the year 5
Total registration during the year 9
Total registration at the end of the year 8
Condition of patients on discharge from sanatorium:
Only one case was discharged during the year, this case having made a remarkable recovery from T. B. spine.
"Plymouth County Sanatorium"
1 case admitted from Quincy (pulmonary).
1 case referred to sanatorium having settlement in Plymouth County.
"Tewksbury State Infirmary"
Cases admitted during the year 6
Total registration during the year 9
130
CITY OF QUINCY
Total registration at end of the year 3 Total number cases discharged during the year 5 1 case died.
3 cases transferred to N. C. H., having been admitted from the Quincy City Hospital.
1 case discharged home.
Rutland State Sanatorium
1 case was admitted during the year and left against advice, "un- improved."
Rutland Veterans' Hospital
All cases admitted are handled through the Veterans' Bureau.
Wallum Lake, Rhode Island
1 Quincy case is at this sanatorium.
Respectfully submitted, GERTRUDE T. RUSSELL, R.N., MARY E. KEELEY, R.N., Dispensary Nurses.
131
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF CHILD WELFARE PHYSICIAN
JANUARY 31, 1934.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Commissioner of Health, Quincy, Mass.
DEAR DOCTOR FITZGERALD: It is my privilege to submit to you the report of the Child Welfare Clinics of Quincy for the year ending December 31, 1933.
Statistics
Total Clinic Registration
1,571
Well-Baby Clincs
1,208
Preschool Clinics
169
Orthopedic Clinics
194
Number of Clinics
225
Well-Baby Clinics
205
Preschool Clinics
7
Orthopedic Clinics
13
Total Clinic Attendance
8,543
Well-Baby Clinics
8,142
Preschool Clinics
92
Orthopedic Clinics
309
Total Home Visits by Nurses
3,792
Babies
3,012
Preschool Children
458
Boarding Homes
322
A more detailed account of these figures appear in the reports of the Child Welfare Nurses and the Orthopedic Clinic report.
There have been 143 fewer clinics held in the city this past year and less than half as many as in 1930. In the interest of financial economy the weekly Preschool Clinic was discontinued in March, 1933; West Quincy Baby Clinic in February, and the Ortho- pedic Clinics reduced to one each month. In spite of the reduction in the number of Clinics, and the decrease in registration of 249 this year, the attendance has decreased only 15. Babies and chil- dren previously attending the Clinics which have been discontinued have transferred their registration to the Clinic in another Ward.
The work of the nurses in home visits has almost doubled: 1,859 more visits were made than in 1932. The adequate transportation service which was provided the nurses in March has made this possible.
Comparison of Clinic Statistics for Past Seven Years
Year
Registration New Enrollments
Attendance
1927
1,752
622
7,047
1928
2,130
693
7,293
1929.
2,783
652
6,795
1930.
2,887
717
7,145
1931
2,826
992
8,257
1932
3,133
846
8,218
1933
2,275
798
8,543
132
CITY OF QUINCY
References of Children
During the year 259 children have been referred by clinic doctors and nurses to the care of local physicians. This is about 50 less than last year, but practically the number referred in years pre- vious to 1932. The general health of the clinic children has been remarkably good this past year. The fact has been commented upon both in the summer season when there were no severe diges- tive disturbances among the clinic babies, and again this winter season when the incidence of severe respiratory infection up to this date has been noticeably small.
Volunteer Help and Acknowledgments
During the past year the Clinics have been fortunate in having the help of excellent volunteers. Members of the Junior Welfare League of Quincy have attended the Clinics at Wollaston and Quincy Centre regularly each week. Their faithful and efficient help as recorders and in providing interesting occupation for the children in the waiting room has been much appreciated.
The Atlantic Clinic has continued to enjoy the benefits of Miss Alice G. Thompson's volunteer service. Miss Thompson's ability and interest in keeping the clinic records for the past three years has contributed much to the efficiency of the Clinic.
Members of the Wollaston Woman's Club have been generous in attending the Wollaston Clinic and assisting the nurses in record- ing the weights of babies.
It is pleasing, as well as helpful, to receive the support of enthu- siastic volunteers, and we thank them for their continued interest.
Acknowledgments
Mrs. Nettie D. Fowler, R.N., and Miss Mary Marr, R.N., as executives, continue to conduct the clinics with quiet efficiency, and their contacts in the homes in the interim between the clinic visits have made a strong unity in the service of the Child Welfare program.
The nurses have been alert to the problems created in the homes by economic distress this past year. The generosity of several large manufacturing chemists has been of great practical helpful- ness. Their gifts of cod liver oil and viosterol and vitamin B con- taining foods have in several instances averted the necessity of depriving children of these essential vitamins. As far as we are aware, there are no children in our active clinic registration who could be classified as having malnutrition, or who have been re- ceiving less than a minimum requirement of basic food substances.
The privilege of holding the clinics at Woodward Institute, the City School Buildings at Quincy Point and Hough's Neck, Italian Hall at South Quincy, and at the North Quincy K. of C. Hall has been especially appreciated.
For cooperation and actively helpful interest in the Child Wel- fare work, may I thank you, as Commissioner of Health, and the other members of your Staff and personnel of the Health Depart- ment.
Respectfully submitted,
RACHEL L. HARDWICK, M.D., Child Welfare Physician.
133
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF CHILD WELFARE NURSES
JANUARY 1, 1934.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Health Commissioner.
DEAR SIR :- The following is the report of the Child Welfare Nurses for 1933:
Registration January 1, 1933 1,457
Registration January 1, 1934
1,208
New babies registered during year 818
Moved or discharged over age . 407
Referred to physicians 9
Referred to pre-school clinic (later discontinued) 169
Child Welfare conferences were held in all wards, with the ex- ception of West Quincy, from 2 to 4 P. M. on certain days. The Wollaston conference was held in the morning. The pre-school clinic was discontinued March 6, 1933. There were four deaths among babies registered at the clinic. Only one of these was a baby under one year. Two were from drowning and two from pneumonia.
Visits to babies under 1 year
1,957
Visits to babies between 1-2 years
1,055
Visits to pre-school children
458
Post-natal visits
110
Visits to 12 licensed boarding homes
101
Visits to 8 unlicensed boarding homes
74
Temporary boarding homes found
37
Referred to family dentist
33
Referred to welfare dentist
17
Referred to local physicians
209
Referred to Quincy City Hospital
15
Referred to venereal clinic
1
Referred to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
1
Referred to Boston Children's Hospital
8
Clinics
Days
Stations
Attend- ance
New Cases
Attendance Increase or Decrease
Mondays
South Quincy
1,452
107
2% decrease
Tuesdays
Wollaston
1,594
147
20% increase
Tuesdays
Houghs Neck
469
50
19% decrease
Wednesdays
Quincy Point
1,306
104
4% increase
Thursdays
Quincy Centre
1,653
155
11% increase
Fridays
Atlantic
1,622
133
3% increase
Fridays
West Quincy
46
5
Discontinued
Totals
8,142
701
Orthopedic Woodward
309
95
Conferences held only once a month instead of twice since January
Pre-School Woodward
92
22
Discontinued
Mar., 1933
Totals
8,543
818
Feb., 1933
The attendance for 1932 was 8,558, so there was only a very slight diminution in the number of visits. It is hard to explain
134
CITY OF QUINCY
the variation in attendance at the various clinics. In past years some of the clinics that show a marked increase this year had shown an equally marked decrease and vice versa.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation for as- sistance and co-operation of the Wollaston Woman's Club, Junior Welfare League, Family Welfare Society, Visiting Nursing Asso- ciation and the local physicians during 1933.
To Doctors Hardwick and Gorin we extend our thanks for their extreme patience and courtesy during a very busy year. We must not forget to mention the kindness of a volunteer who has assisted us for the past few years without remuneration.
Very truly yours, NETTIE D. FOWLER, R.N., MARY E. MARR, R.N., Child Welfare Nurses.
135
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF ORTHOPEDIC CLINICS
JANUARY 31, 1934.
DR. EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, Commissioner of Health, City Hall, Quincy, Massachusetts.
DEAR DOCTOR FITZGERALD: The report of the work in the Ortho- pedic Clinics during the year 1933 is as follows:
There have been eleven clinics-one held each month except dur- ing August; 260 children have been examined-95 were new ad- missions, 165 for follow-up examinations.
Classification of Conditions Found in the New Cases
Healthy child-Shoe advice
16
Pronated feet
31
Pronated feet and knock knees
15
Bow-legs
12
Faulty posture in school age child
3
Retarded musculature development
4
Pronated feet and mild rickets
2
Bilateral Köhler's
2
Congenital contracture 5th toes
1
Abnormality of toe nail
1
Injury left foot
1
Club-foot
1
Infantile paralysis-Varus foot
1
Synovitis left knee
1
Brachial palsy-left
1
Congenital contraction 5th toes associated with pronation ....
1
Pseudo-hypertrophic muscular dystrophy
1
Dislocated hip
1
Classification of Conditions Found in the Routine Follow-Up Examinations
Pronated feet
138
Pronated feet and knock knees
10
Bow-legs
5
Generalized muscular atony
2
Congenital forefoot adduction
2
Flexion contraction of 4th toes
1
Torticollis
1
Upper abdominal hernia
1
· Corrected club foot
1
Bilateral cavus
1
Contracted heel cord
1
Routine check-up examinations on health child.
2
Comparative Figures 1927 to 1933, Inclusive
Years
Number of Clinics
Visits
New Cases
Follow-up Examinations
1927
8
125
89
....
1928.
12
164
91
73
1929
14
210
96
114
1930
14
250
95
155
1931
22
395
132
263
1932
22
410
106
304
1933.
11
260
95
165
136
CITY OF QUINCY
A review of the classification of the conditions found in these children reveals a large number of correctable orthopedic de- formities.
Much of the satisfaction in the follow-up of the children who have been attending the clinics lies in the fact that permanent de- forming or disabling conditions are prevented and corrected.
The success of this clinic is due to the interest and cooperation of the Child Welfare Physician, the nurses in attendance at the clinics, and the mothers who report regularly for advice.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) M. G. KATZEFF, M.D., Orthopedist.
137
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF QUINCY HABIT CLINIC
Nineteen thirty-three marks the close of the seventh year of the Quincy Habit Clinic and one observes a larger attendance during this interval than in any of the preceding years. In addition to a marked increase in the number of cases dealt with, there has also been encouraging progress noted in the community's apprecia- tion of the aim and purpose of the clinic. This fact has facilitated the program in such a manner as to not only benefit the individual patient but has also made it possible to demonstrate the impor- tance of a mental hygiene approach to general community prob- lems.
An earnest attempt has been made to fully appreciate the mental hygiene needs of Quincy and we have endeavored to meet them, taking special care to avoid having a service become routinized or perfunctory and always looking to other agencies that bear a responsibility in the rearing of children for opportunity to inspect our mutual problems in terms of the individual child. Our fun- damental premise has been that improvement in our psychotherapy, social therapy and educational methods can only be effected with continued study of the individual child and the influence his envi- ronments are having on him.
The program has not differed markedly in its general outline from that of the previous year in that its two main objectives have been firstly to conduct a weekly clinic where attention has been addressed to personality and behavior problems of the younger child, and secondly, to conduct general educational programs in the community. These met a requirement for information regard- ing the nature of the work done by the clinic and also about prob- lems of child guidance and other specialized subjects in mental hygiene.
In discussing the clinic activities, we find three questions in- variably asked, namely, the types of problems dealt with at clinic, sources from where these children are referred, and the form of treatment given. The answers to the first two questions will be found in the statistical appendix to this report. The answer to the third can only be given in a general way since it would be im- possible in a report of this kind to discuss comprehensively the subject of treatment. This involves consideration of the social, psychological and psychiatric technique, and it would necessitate the presentation of a number of cases in order to provide a satis- factory picture. However, it is possible to give a picture of the general procedure.
Cases are accepted without selection in respect to the social, economic, racial or any factors other than behavior. All of the cases under treatment are those having at least average intelli- gence. The Habit Clinic has directed its attention primarily to the problems of the so-called normal and superior child (as regards intelligence) since there are other agencies that bear the responsi- bility for the mentally handicapped child. However, it occasionally happens that a defective child is referred to the clinic for diagnosis and recommendations, in which instance the request is fulfilled. The case is then referred to those organizations whose attention is addressed toward the problem of mental deficiency. Although the clinic has not concerned itself with the problem of mental retarda- tion as such, it has, however, assisted in meeting mental hygiene problems which have arisen in families where one child, because of his intellectual handicap, has been the cause of a destructive
138
CITY OF QUINCY
attitude in the parents that is not conducive to the welfare of the other children in the family. This, as well as similar problems arising in like situations, has been dealt with by the clinic.
The study of the child begins after a careful physical examina- tion has been made, since problems of physical hygiene, of disease or physical defect must be considered in any psychiatric program to be outlined. In cases where physical factors are accepted as primarily causative in the production of a particular problem for which the child was referred, the clinic may withdraw in favor of a medical program. In many cases, the medical investigation goes hand in hand with the psychiatric.
The physical examination is followed by a social service investi- gation conducted by a psychiatric social worker and comprises as complete a picture of the child's life as is practicable, from the time of his birth up to the date of his visit to the clinic, and in- cludes all available information regarding the home; namely, family background, parent-child relationships, as well as relation- ships with other members of the household; his school adjustment, teacher-child relationship, and so forth. In this same manner, as full a picture as possible is obtained of his play life and his ad- justment to the group.
Every child is given a psychological examination during which the psychologist attempts to ascertain information regarding his intellectual capacity, also any special abilities or disabilities he may have. School achievement tests are given if a need is indi- cated-which is oftentimes a requirement in cases where a school difficulty is the main problem revealed. The psychological tests contribute significant leads in the study of most of the clinic cases.
The psychiatrist acquaints himself with each child, and the above collected data. The psychiatric examination may vary from mere observation of the child's behavior to more intensive exploration of his inherent drives, interests, attitudes and relationships to those about him. This is determined by the child's age, the problems presented, and other factors. In younger children whose difficulties for the most part are but symptoms of a situational problem, inves- tigation and treatment are directed more to the parents and the situation as a whole than to the child.
Every case is reviewed and interpreted in the light of the infor- mation at hand, and each staff member participating in it makes his contribution. Treatment is then formulated and directed by the psychiatrist, with the assistance of the social worker and others who are interested and in a position to be of assistance.
Treatment varies with the individual case and is so highly indi- vidualized as to preclude a complete and satisfactory presentation of it in a report of this kind. A large part of the therapy resolves itself into the problem of parental education along the lines of child management. There are other instances in which treatment in- volves not only psychotherapy for the parent or parents but also reconstruction of the whole environmental situation. In this direc- tion, our social service staff has been much interested in attitude therapy, and the members of this staff have applied it in some cases with encouraging results. Because of the pressure of the work but few cases could be treated in this intensive manner, be- cause of the time involved: Treatment procedures can be briefly and perhaps more satisfactorily portrayed by means of the fol- lowing listing:
1. Direct information and advice to parents, teachers and others responsible for the guidance of the child.
139
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
2. Psychotherapy directly with the child.
3. Psychotherapy with the parents.
4. Social therapy conducted by the social worker in her con- tact with the home.
5. Changing of pedagogic procedures necessary for the spe- cific needs of the child (frequently seen in children who are problems to the school by reason of incorrect placement in the grades).
Any one or more of the above approaches to the child's problem may be utilized by the staff members, always in cooperation with the school or other agencies interested.
Study and treatment of clinic cases in practically all instances involves considerable contact with the child or his associates (parents, teacher, etc.) outside the clinic. This means the social worker frequently makes visits to the home for purposes of fur- ther observation, or she may contact cther individuals, leaders in recreational or cultural interests, in attempting to provide or create supplementary opportunities in the form of social or recrea- tional outlet for the child. If these are not available, she may undertake to supply them herself by taking the child or a group of children, as the case may be, on an outing to a museum or other place of interest.
The chief objectives in the educational aspect of the clinic's program have been:
1. To interpret the work of the clinic to the community.
2. To encourage further interest in the problems of child guidance.
3. To stimulate parental interest in the mental aspect of the child's development.
We realize that now, as always, parental attitudes have a tre- mendous influence in the shaping of children's behavior patterns and when these attitudes are warped, as they are prone to be by the worries and frustrations produced by the present economic conditions, parents need help more than ever to assist them in maintaining a wholesome, healthy attitude and constructive per- spective toward their children.
There has been developed in Quincy a form of interrelationship and cooperation between the Habit Clinic and the schools. This has very much aided the clinic in its work with school children, making it possible to give a more efficient service than would prob- ably have otherwise been practicable. This was done through monthly meetings attended by principals, teachers and members of the clinic staff. At these times there were mutual discussions regarding the various school children who had been seen at clinic during the month. These conferences have made for a clearer and fuller understanding of the individual child and a better oppor- tunity for the most effective program of treatment was provided.
It has been felt for some time that a problem of occupational therapy might be utilized as a supplementary measure to the regular clinic service by fulfilling a two fold function; namely, as an aid in studying the personality of the child, to ascertain the presence or absence of such traits as leadership, domination, re- sourcefulness, ingenuity, manual dexterity, and so forth; and sec- ondly, as an adjunct to a psychotherapeutic program. This procedure has been tried with encouraging results in another clinic and it is hoped that arrangements may be made whereby it will be possible to carry out a program of this sort at the Quincy Clinic this coming year.
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.