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 1935 > 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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
Gertrude T. Russell. R. N.
Child Welfare Nurse
Nettie D. Fowler, R. N.
Child Welfare Nurse
Mary E. Marr, R. N.
Dispensary Custodian Thomas A. Eames
Also the three following persons are holding provisional appoint- ments pending results of civil service examinations :-
Plumbing Inspector Jeremiah J. Curtis
Restaurant Inspector William H. Taylor
T. B. Nurse
Eileen Garrity
In addition we have the following persons who are paid only for each clinic they attend :-
Child Welfare
Dr. Fred P. Costanza
Orthopeidc Physician
Dr. John L. Doherty
Dental
Dr. Louis J. Sullivan
Dr. Frederick S. Tobben
Dr. Alfred E. O'Malley
..
Katherine Wiseman. R. N.
Gladys Imray, R. N.
The department lost by death this year. its oldest member in point of service, in the passing away of Jeremiah J. Keniley, he having served this city faithfully for 42 years.
Outside of my many routine duties. I have received and investi- gated 1247 complaints of unsanitary conditions and have made in connection with my work in the control of Venereal Disease, 112 night calls on patients, who have lapsed treatment, either with their private physician or a clinic.
I would recommend to you that an effort be made for closer co- operation with the License Board, to the end that no licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages be issued, until the applicant has met the requirements of the Health Department as to his establishment. The work in correcting conditions in these places would be made much easier in that case.
I wish to thank each member of this department for their splendid cooperation with me this past year. It has been a pleasure to be associated with them.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD E. PORTER. Agent.
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
149
January 1, 1936.
REPORT OF BACTERIOLOGIST
Plate counts (milk)
590
Smears for pus & streptococci (milk) 590
Plate counts (ice cream)
48
Chemical examinations (ice cream)
48
Chemical examinations (milk) 688
Total examinations
1964
EDWIN E. SMITH, M. D.
January 1, 1936.
Richard M. Ash, M. D.
Health Commissioner.
Dear Doctor :-
I hereby submit my annual report as Contagious Disease Nurse for the year ending December 1935.
Five thousand, five hundred and forty-seven cases of notifiable di- seases were reported as follows :-
Anterior Poliomyelitis
23
Chickenpox
157
Diphtheria
1
Dog Bite
214
Dysentery (Bacillary)
1
Lobar Pneumonia
40
Measles
124
Meningococcus meningitis
1
Mumps
500
Ophthalmia neonatorum
1
Rubella
4114
Scarlet Fever
270
Septic Sore Throat
1
Tetanus
1
Typhoid Fever
3
Undulant Fever
1
Whooping Cough
95
Total number of visits
1562
Scarlet Fever
1002
Measles
281
Whooping Cough
165
Diphtheria
3
Typhoid Fever (cultures 32)
32
Chickenpox
5
Anterior Poliomyelitis
72
Undulant Fever
2
Anterior Poliomyelitis
During the year twenty-three cases were reported, twelve of these cases were hospitalized. Two children died in the hospital. This disease was prevalent in August, September and October. In Sep- tember, a clinic was held at the Quincy Dispensary in co-operation
150
CITY OF QUINCY
with the State Department of Health, to obtain blood for a serum, for new cases, from persons having had the disease. In this connection. 52 home visits were made.
Diphtheria
One case reported, which was hospitalized. During the year 1405 children were immunized, 980 children were done at the clinics and 435 by the family physician. 1030 were under five years of age, 371 children in the age group between 5-9 years, while 14 were ten years of age or over.
Rubella
There was an epidemic during the first six months of the year. 4114 cases reported from the various wards. More cases reported in this epidemic than in any other in the history of the city.
Scarlet Fever
Fifty-six cases, of the 270 reported. were hospitalized, 55 in Haynes Memorial, and one in the Boston City Hospital. One child died in the hospital.
Whooping Cough
Two cases of the 95 cases reported were sent to the Haynes Memori- al. One death occurred at home.
Typhoid Fever
2 cases reported, both hospitalized.
Mumps
The reported number of cases was 500, a decided increase over previous years.
Clinics
157 various clinics were attended during the year.
Assisted Dr. Sullivan in the dental examination of all the children of the first grade in the parochial and public schools. 70 visits to schools and homes were made in connection with this work.
34 diagnostic visits were made by the health commissioner during the year.
In the follow-up work, 1562 visits were made including placarding. re-visiting, checking on quarantine regulations, taking cultures, ex- amination of contacts and releases from quarantine.
Office hours daily 9-9:30 a. m. and 1-1:30 p. m.
Respectfully submitted, CATHERINE F. COLEMAN, R. N. Contagious Disease Nurse.
151
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Dr. Richard M. Ash,
Health Commissioner.
Dear Commissioner :-
Before giving you a few instances of the progress of our work with the Infantile Paralysis victims of this city and its outlying towns, I wish to thank the Kiwanis Club for its interest and cooperation. The transportation of cases, which it has sponsored, has done much to make our clinic one of the most active and leading links of the Harvard Commission's Chain; and it has meant much to a great many of those afflicted with this disease, unable heretofore, to attend the treatment clinic. I wish also to thank the city as a whole, and its outlying towns, for financing another physio-therapist as this has contributed so much toward enabling us to handle more smoothly the large increase in numbers which this year has brought and therefore to give more individual attention, which is so valuable in the treat- ment of this disease. I could not make a complete acknowledgement of the enthusiasm or help from the Kiwanis Club, and from the city, without mentioning Mr. Frank Foy in particular, who has been so largely instrumental in bringing about the success of this center of Infantile Paralysis care.
The number of patients and visits for 1935 are herewith listed :
Patients Visits
Quincy Cases
21
335
Milton
2
65
Weymouth
6
93
Braintree
6
116
Total
35
609
To supplement the actual list above, I would like to give you a spe- fic report of a few of the cases.
Joan began attendance in the fall, with one leg and abdomen affec- ted. After a few months of treatment and of rest in the wire splints, which we use until our patients are able to walk (either unsupported or with braces), she has recovered to the point of almost normal muscle strength. She will now discard the splint and gradually walk and run about as before, without apparatus of any kind.
Helen is a high school girl, a victim of the disease last summer, affected in both legs and abdomen. Kept off her feet and receiving regular treatments, she is now hoping to try a little skating before the season is gone.
Jimmie is only three years old, and one of eight children. Badly affected in one leg, and with no mother to bring him to our clinic, he has been enabled through the club's help, to receive the regular treat- ment, to have the needed splints, necessary at the beginning, and to have new shoes fixed according to his particular needs, now that he is starting to walk and run about again.
Last fall. George was not able to straighten his knee; now we feel that his gait will be normal again, without the help of a brace, as the knee muscle has begun to do its work and to enable him to hold his knee straight without its giving way.
In closing, I wish to make general mention and acknowledgement of the large amount of apparatus and shoe adjustment, which has been backed by the Kiwanis Club, and which has been so necessary in the work of bringing some of the youngsters back to normal and in enabling others to handle what weakness has been left, thereby per- mitting them to enter into a more normal participation of life.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY R. BUSHNELL.
152
CITY OF QUINCY
January 1, 1936.
REPORT OF VENEREOLOGIST
MALE CLINIC
Patients treated for gonorrhoea
16
Number of visits for gonorrhoea
155
Referred to private physician for gonorrhoea
6
Lapsed treatment
6
Remaining under treatment
2
Patients treated for syphilis
37
Treatments for syphilis
705
Observation for syphilis
5
Died
3
Discharged
2
Referred elsewhere
3
Lapsed treatment
7
Remaining
21
Total visits to male clinic
865
FEMALE CLINIC
Patients treated for gonorrhoea
4
Number of visits for gonorrhoea 21
Number of contacts for gonorrhoea
7
Number of visits for observation 8
Patients treated for syphilis 22
Number of treatments for syphilis
449
Number of contacts (visits)
19
Referred elsewhere Died
2
Lapsed
1
Remaining under treatment
18
Total visits to female clinic
497
1
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN E. SMITH, M. D.
2
Discharged
153
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
January 1, 1936
Dr. Richard M. Ash,
Health Commissioner.
Dear Sir :-
During the past year there has been an increase in tuberculosis throughout the city, but no greater than one would expect considering the drastic nutritional disorders of the long drawn out depression of the last five years.
Insufficient wages, crowded living conditions, poor housing, in- creased family worries, all contribute to lower the morale and render conditions favorable to increased sickness and disease in general, and especially add to our problem of tuberculosis.
Conditions in Quincy are similar to those in all large cities through- out the commonwealth and their correction depends upon our zeal in everlastingly fighting the ravages of consumption.
According to health records, there was an increase of about 12 per cent in 1935 over 1934, whereas, in 1934, there was a 22 per cent increase over 1933, so that we are apparently winning in our general fight against tuberculosis and our progress will probably be more pronounced as we overcome the natural drawbacks of the depression.
In Quincy, we are stressing especially the hospitalization of active tuberculosis in all its forms. Rigid follow-up work for all contacts and great attention is being paid to the so-called "under-nourished children" and the childhood type of tuberculosis.
In the last analysis, lasting success in overcoming tuberculosis will be in direct ratio to the control of the so-called primary or childhood type of the disease and the contacts of the active or adult type of tuberculosis.
Undernourished Clinic
In Quincy. we direct our control, both the childhood and adult type of tuberculosis, through weekly clinics at the city Tuberculosis Dis- pensary. Both are well attended and much valuable preventive edu- cation for tuberculosis control is being constantly given to the many families afflicted with tuberculosis.
Physical examinations are made, Mantoux tuberculin tests done, and where local infection from bad teeth and tonsils are revealed these are corrected, so that if the individuals need sanatorium care they will more quickly respond to treatment. This regime has been adopted at the Dispensary for the past fifteen years and the pioneer days were discouraging, progress was slow, patients were despondent and non-cooperative but patience and perseverance have been rewarded.
In the early days, only hopelessly advanced cases were the rule and no contacts appeared. Now the opposite is true and people vol- untarily come for examination and information as regards their health. In fact, during the past few years we are finding minimal cases of tuberculosis at the Dispensary, something never heard of in the early days. This, of course, is as it should be and shows real progress and proves that time and money spent in the past were well worth while.
Tuberculosis, discovered early and treatments started are easily controlled, especially if modern treatment is adopted. It might well be said that tuberculosis control is just around the corner, provided the cities and states are willing to liberally support active agencies for early discovery and hospitalization of this disease
154
CITY OF QUINCY
Norfolk Preventorium
Due to the annual appropriation of $2000 by the City, together with funds acquired from Christmas Seal sale. we are able to again send our usual quota of fifty children to Camp Norfolk. This fund should be increased just as soon as the camp can take extra children. Eight weeks intensive treatment for these pre-tubercular children, not only helps those children selected, but also materially increases our week- ly clinic attendance, thus we can educate a far greater number of families in tuberculosis control. The prospect of being some day chosen for the camp is one of the primary reasons for many of the children regularly attending the weekly clinic.
The "Chadwick ten year program" among the schools of this state has shown that there are 18 to 24 per cent of undernourished children and childhood suspects of tuberculosis. With the school population of 15,000 children in Quincy, one can readily see the importance of appropriating sufficient funds for the discovery and treatment of these suspects. Other cities will face a far greater expense caring for these same children later in life as subjects of pulmonary tuberculosis.
The old saying "an ounce of prevention" is especially appropriate from the tax payers standpoint in this question of tuberculosis control.
The "follow-up" work of the Chadwick clinic is now carried on by Dr. Pillsbury of Norfolk County Hospital. I believe this work is far too much to expect of one man but assume the time will come when cities like Quincy will be called upon to supply more funds for the work. Quincy should do this willingly, for prevention is always more economical than control in the problem of tuberculosis.
To more efficiently practice tuberculosis control in Quincy, I wish to offer the following recommendations :
1) I believe both tuberculosis nurses should devote their entire time to tuberculosis work.
At present one nurse is devoting much of the time to parochial school work.
The two branches of public health nursing that have to devote the most time to "field work" are social service and tuberculosis workers. Here only results count and time cannot be limited.
For example, take the father of a family in the early active stage of tuberculosis. He is surely a menace, both to his family and to the community. He should be hospitalized, yet, he feels well and has not yet lost much strength and is able to work and provide for his family.
One can imagine the nurses' task to convince such a man to go to the sanatorium. The nurse has undoubtedly the right side of the argument but anybody can visualize how much time she must spend to convince such a person to go to a sanatorium. Yet, she must do just this or else she is considered a failure.
Then. too, many similar time consuming cases come up in the wel- fare side in tuberculosis field nursing.
When one considers that most "appraisal forms" call for 5000 visits for every 100 deaths, one can see the great number of field visits called for in a city the size of Quincy.
In addition to the time demanded in "case finding" and general field welfare work, a great deal of time is needed for clerical work and vital statistics. The city must have its reports of the work done. so, too, the state calls for its records and reports of all new cases. Determination of settlement in cases calling for aid also figure in the routine work of the tuberculosis nurse.
155
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
From this partial resume you can readily appreciate a need of both nurses devoting all their time to tuberculosis work if Quincy is to continue its high grade reputation in the control of tuberculosis.
Another recommendation is to have all "positive reactors", hilum suspects and pre-tubercular children discovered through State and County surveys in the schools, referred to the Quincy Tuberculosis Dispensary for follow-up work.
For the past few years these cases have been simply weighed once a month, and, of course, this is not enough. They should come to the Dispensary every two weeks for examination, periodical tuber- culin testing and X-rayed at regular intervals. This is the safest way to prevent pulmonary infection and disease and this saves these cases from sanatorium expenses later in life. In addition, it saves duplica- tion in tuberculosis work. It will also tend to prevent these same children from having to miss promotion from ill health.
The clinical statistics, I sent you through separate report.
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. LYNCH, M. D. Dispensary Physician.
156
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS NURSES
Richard M. Ash, M. D.
Health Commissioner.
Dear Doctor :-
We herewith submit to you our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1935.
Total number of all kinds of Tuberculosis on record in the city .... 848 Pulmonary tuberculosis 467
Hilum tuberculosis 311
Other forms 70
New cases of Tuberculosis reported during the year-all kinds .... 104
Pulmonary tuberculosis 83
Hilum tuberculosis 13
Other forms 8
Under pulmonary tuberculosis (minimal cases reported) 7
Disposition of New Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases
Admitted to sanatoria 55
Moved away 3
Reported by death certificate 9
Admitted to the Peabody Home (Pulmonary and T. B. Dorsal Spine) 1
At home - working or under own physician 13
On waiting list for sanatorium treatment 2
Disposition of New Hilum Tuberculosis Cases
Admitted to North Reading State Sanatorium 3
At home under supervision of dispensary 10
Disposition of New Other T. B. Cases
Admitted to Lakeville State Sanatorium 5
Reported by death certificate 2
At home under treatment 1
T. B. Other cases reported were :
T. B. Eyes 1
T. B. Peritonitis
1
T. B. Endometritis
1
T. B. Uterus and tubes
1
T. B. Sternum
1
T. B. of Axillary Lymph Nodes 1
Renal tuberculosis 1
T. B. Meningitis 2
Cases admitted to Norfolk County Sanatorium during the year 64 Cases discharged from Norfolk County Sanatorium during the year 71
Condition on discharge
Arrested cases 20
Left against advice - unimproved 7
Indefinite leave of absence to return once a week for refills 13
Transferred to Central New England Sanatorium 1
Dead 25
Quiescent 2
Non T. B. 3
157
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
North Reading State Sanatorium Admitted to sanatorium during the year 8
Cases discharged during the year 15
Condition on discharge Arrested cases 12
Chronic Empyema - improved 1
Malnutrition - unimproved and advised to be admitted to general hospital for further observation and diagnosis 1
Lakeville State Sanatorium
Admitted to sanatorium during the year
5
Cases discharged during the year
4
Condition on discharge
Arrested cases
1
Dead
1
Non T. B. 2
Number of deaths reported during the year
50
Pulmonary tuberculosis 47
T. B. Other 3
New living cases added to the register exclusive of Hilum 81 No. of cases transferred from city (exclusive of Hilum)
by death or moved away or other causes 58
"Clinics"
Attendance for the year 1892
New cases added to clinic register 348
Number of contacts examined 793
Mantoux Tests done in the clinic 230
Total number of X-rays taken at Norfolk County Sanatorium 126
Number of children admitted to Norfolk Preventorium for eight weeks treatment during the summer 44
Total number of nursing visits made 2673
Number of sputums examined during the year 292
Children referred for T & A operations 32
Practically every child needed dentistry
Vaccinations done 15
Respectfully submitted,
GERTRUDE T. RUSSELL, R. N., EILEEN GARRITY, R. N., Dispensary Nurses.
158
CITY OF QUINCY
January 1, 1936.
Dr. Richard M. Ash, Commissioner of Health
Quincy, Massachusetts.
Dear Dr. Ash :-
It is my privilege to submit to you the report of the Child Welfare Clinics of Quincy for the year ending December 31, 1935.
Statistics
Total Clinic Registration 2102
Well Baby Clinic Registration 1784
New Registrations 1935 566
Preschool Clinics 135
New Registrations 1935 81
Orthopedic Clinics
183
New Registrations 1935
18
Total New Registrations 665
Number of Clinics 300
Well Baby Clinics
276
Preschool Clinics
12
Orthopedic Clinics 12
Total Clinic Attendance 8329
Well Baby Clinics
7940
Preschool Clinics
256
Orthopedic Clinics 133
Total Home Visits by Nurses 4933
Babies under 1 Year
2919
Babies under 2 Years
1141
Preschool Children
710
Boarding Homes
163
The Child Welfare Clinics were held weekly in South Quincy, Quincy Center, Quincy Point, Atlantic, Wollaston; bi-monthly in Houghs Neck; monthly at Squantum.
The Clinic attendance has been as follows :-
Station
Day
Attendance New Cases
South Quincy
Monday
1477
77
Wollaston
Tuesday
1312
84
Houghs Neck
Tuesday
419
40
Quincy Point
Wednesday
1574
127
Quincy Centre
Thursday
1572
122
Squantum
Thursday
116
5
Atlantic
Friday
1470
111
The Statistics for 1935 compared with those of 1934 show that the same number of clinics were held each year. There is a slight in- crease (80) in the total registration for 1935, but a marked decrease in the number of new cases registered (398). In the Well Baby Clinic the new registration decrease for 1935 was 248, in the Ortho- pedic Clinic 119, and in the Preschool Clinic 31. The total clinic at- tendance was slightly increased in 1935 (53). Both the Well Baby Clinic and Preschool Clinic showed increased attendance; the Ortho- pedic Clinic a decrease in attendance. The number of home visits made by the nurses shows a marked increase (676).
159
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Reference of Children
During the year 281 children have been referred from the clinics to the care of local physicians, dentists, or hospital.
Referred for Medical Care 224
Referred for Dental Care 33
Referred for Hospital Care 24
Volunteer Help and Acknowledgements
Much appreciation is expressed for the continued interest and help- fulness given to the clinics by Mrs. Nelson Knight, a member of the Junior Welfare League, who acts as recording secretary weekly at the Quincy Clinic and Preschool Clinic, members of the Wollaston Woman's Club, who serve as helpers in recording the weights of babies in the Wollaston Clinic, and Miss Alice G. Thompson who has given five consecutive years as recorder at the Atlantic Clinic.
During the Spring, Mrs. Knight arranged an exhibition of self- help clothing for toddlers.
We appreciate the privilege of holding clinics in Woodward School, Wollaston Branch of the Thomas Crane Public Library, Knights of Columbus Hall at Atlantic, Italian Hall, South Quincy, Methodist Church at Squantum, and the City School Building at Quincy Point and Houghs Neck.
Mrs. Nettie D. Fowler and Miss Mary Marr, Child Welfare Nurses! have accomplished an unusually large volume of work this past year with a high degree of efficiency and satisfaction to those they have served.
For your cooperation, I wish to thank you as Commissioner and the members of your Department of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
RACHEL L. HARDWICK, M. D., Child Welfare Physician.
160
CITY OF QUINCY
January 1. 1936.
Dr. Richard M. Ash, Health Commissioner.
Report of Child Welfare Nurses for the year of 1935.
Total registration during the year 1935 2102
Total registration active January 1. 1936 1007
Total new babies registered in 1935 665
under 1 year 382
between 1 & 2 years
191
preschool group
92
(orthopedic 11) (preschool clinic 81)
Removed from roll 1095
Deaths 6
Mead (3 months) suffocation
Pangraze (6 months) Pneumonia
MacNeil (3 months) Encephalitis
Rubic (7 months) Pneumonia
Webster (6 months) Hydrocephalus McGee (5 years) Brain Tumor
Inactive for 6 months or more 449
Moved from city (241 families) 405
Over clinic age 141
Entered preschool clinic 55
Returned to institutions 39
No. of visits to clinic under 1 year 5148
No. of visits to clinic over 1 year 3181
Total clinic attendance 8329
No. of childen visited at home :
under 1 year 2919
between 1 & 2 years 1141
between 2 & school age 710
inspection of boarding homes 163
Total number of calls made 4933
Temporary homes found for babies 9
Quincy News Contest, babies weighed & measured in August 278
No. registered boarding homes 11
Assistance to other nurses when necessary.
Babies referred to Quincy City Hospital 17
.. ..
Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary 2
Children's Hospital 5
. . T. B. clinic (mother & child check-up) 8
.. dental clinic 21
.. : private dentist 12
.,
.. Habit clinic 7
Various reasons for referring :
Upper respiratory
Cervical Adenitis
Pyloric Spasm
Pyloric Stenosis
X-ray
Schick test
check on vaccination
Hydrocele
Torticollis Anemia
?Whooping-cough Otitis Media Swelling Thoracic Vertebra rashes convulsions
infected scalp
161
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Ring Worm
Hernia (Inguinal)
tongue tie
VonPerquet test
urinalysis Granuloma
local infections
T & A Worms
Toxoid Mongolism
Clinics were held from 2 to 4 p. m. at Italian Hall, South Quincy on Mondays; Pollard School, Quincy Point on Wednesdays; Woodward Institute on Thursdays; K. of C. Hall on Fridays; and from 9 to 11 a. m. at Library Building, Wollaston; the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at Lyceum Hall, Houghs Neck; and 2nd Thursdays at Squantum.
A preschool clinic is held on the third Tuesday of each month and an Orthopedic clinic on the third Thursday of each month at 2:30 p. m. Dr. Doherty is in charge of the Orthopedic clinic. Dr. Hard- wick and Dr. Gorin have had charge of all other clinics.
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.