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 1940 > Part 10
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Labor and capital fight valiantly for their individual rights and have laws enacted to guarantee the same, yet they do nothing concerning their health rights. Someday, somewhere, the public will rise up and insist upon suitable legislation in this matter. Would that Massachusetts might be the first state to adopt such laws.
"Children's Clinic"
Tuberculosis control now centers around education and the Children's Clinic is still our standby through which we send our health measures into the homes. Through the children we can often get parental co-operation. For the parent will often sacrifice for the children's welfare even though they neglect their own; thus early infection and Hilum Tuberculosis is discovered and cured;
189
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
thus preventing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in later life. The taxpay- er's money is also saved this way, for the cost of preventing Tu- berculosis in the child is much less expensive than treating Tuber- culosis in the adult.
The attendance of the children is automatically controlled and continued by their hope and expectation of being chosen for Camp Norfolk.
During the past year the Quincy Tuberculosis Association was formed primarily to organize for a more intensive sale of Christ- mas Seals. Their efforts were well rewarded and Quincy's Christ- mas Seal sale increase was by far in excess of any city in the state. We hope that continued success for the seal sale funds, for these, added to the city's yearly appropriation, enable Quincy to send more children to camp for intensive health treatment than any other city in the county. Since Camp Norfolk was established Quincy has furnished more than half of its yearly quota. This is an excellent procedure in Tuberculosis control and should continue.
Wherever possible I believe camp life enhances health educa- tion. For children, periodic fun and recreation is always expected by the child in summer. Camp Norfolk is founded around this idea. And after a summer of intense education they give the child a rollicking picnic at Duxbury Beach. As all educational projects are more convincing if you can visualize them, one look at these children on the return from Camp Norfolk late in August will be sufficient. Their sun-tan bodies and radiant smiles make one wish it were possible for all children of Quincy to have camp life in the summer. Then indeed the city of Presidents would also become a children's paradise.
May I close by expressing my gratitude for your cordial sup- port and thanking Miss Russell for splendid co-operation and also expressing my thanks to Mrs. Hazel Kerr for assisting at the Sat- urday clinics, as well as to the other public health nurses who helped at clinics during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. LYNCH, M.D.
Dispensary Physician
190
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY NURSE
January 1, 1941.
RICHARD M. ASH, M.D.
Health Commissioner
Dear Dr. Ash :-
I herewith submit to you my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Total number of all kinds of Tuberculosis on record in the city 644 Pulmonary Tuberculosis 380
Childhood Type 232
Other Forms 32
New cases of Tuberculosis reported during the year 63
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 56
Childhood Type 3
Other Forms 4
Disposition of New Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases :
Admitted to sanatorium 38
At home under care of own physician 8
Working 6
New cases in city but previously diagnosed in another city 5
Diagnosis revoked 3
Reported by death certificate 3
Cases admitted to Norfolk County Hospital for observation period 2
Disposition of New Childhood Type Cases :
Admitted to North Reading State Sanatorium 1
Attending school and attending clinic 3
Disposition of T.B. Other Cases:
Admitted to Lakeville State Sanatorium 3
Admitted to Peabody Home in Newton 1
"Norfolk County Hospital"
Registration of patients at the end of the year 68
Cases admitted during the year 69
Cases discharged during the year 38
Arrested Pulmonary Tuberculosis 17
Indefinite leave of absence to return to the hospital weekly for pneumothorax treatments 5
Dead 6
Observation cases discharged "negative for Tuberculosis 1
Revocation of diagnosis made 3
Bronchiectasis left-"Improved" 1
Left against advice "Unimproved" 2
Left against advice "Improved" 1
Discharged Pleurisy with Effusion "Well" 1
Pulmonary Fibrosis-Non Tubercular 1
191
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
"North Reading State Sanatorium"
Registration of patients at the end of the year 4 Cases admitted during the year 1
Cases discharged during the year 1
Arrested Childhood Type 1
"Lakeville State Sanatorium"
Registration of patients at the end of the year 4
Cases admitted during the year 4
Cases discharged during the year 4
Condition on discharge:
Own request-T.B. Axillary Gland-"Quiescent" 1
T.B. Spine "Arrested"-T.B. Left Nephritis "Quiescent" 1
Own request-Condition not determined 1
Own request-to continue treatment at home- T .. B Peritonitis-Post operative-and
T.B. Mesenteric adenitis "Quiescent" 1
"Peabody Home in Newton"
T.B. Left Hip-admitted from Children's Hospital 1 All ex-sanatorium cases are followed by the dispensary nurse and are referred to the sanatorium out-patient thru the dispensary for re-examinations and X-rays as indicated upon discharge-time rang- ing from one month to one year. The nurse transports all patients who have no means of transportation, every Tuesday A.M.
"Deaths"
Total number of deaths reported during the year 21
Died at home 3
Died at Norfolk County Hospital 16
Died at Quincy City Hospital-T.B. Other case
1
Died at Rutland State Hospital 1
"Adult Clinic"
Attendance 271
New cases added to clinic register 81
Number of contacts examinations made 92
Number of sputum examinations made 338
Number of X-rays taken at Norfolk County Hospital. . 249
Clinic registration
104
Number of clinics held for the year 53
"Undernourished and Contact Children's Clinic"
Attendance 1114
New cases added to register 160
Number of contact examinations made 92
Mantoux Tests done 120
Positive reactions 32
Negative reactions 88
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CITY OF QUINCY
Children admitted to the Norfolk Preventorium for eight weeks during the summer 41
Children admitted to Prendergast Preventorium not eligible for Norfolk Preventorium 18
Vaccinations done 40
12
Referred for dentistry
Referred to Quincy City Hospital for T & A operation
22
Special children examined for Farrington Memorial in Lexington- "Cases being referred from Family Welfare Society" 22
Number of X-rays taken at Norfolk County Hospital 57
Referred to Eye and Ear Infirmary 2
51
Number of clinics held during the year
Total number of visits made to and in behalf of Tuberculosis patients 1885 Number of cases moved away and addresses forwarded to State
Department 11
Cases have been referred to dispensary clinics thru private phys- icians, School Nurses, Public Welfare Department, Family W'el- fare Society, X-Sanatorium patients, Social Service Department of the Quincy City Hospital.
I assisted the other nurses in their work during vacations and in case of illness, contagion, baby welfare and parochial school work.
Respectfully submitted,
GERTRUDE T. RUSSELL, R.N. Dispensary Nurse
REPORT OF THE CHILD WELFARE PHYSICIAN
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH
Commissioner of Health
Dear Dr. Ash:
The birth rate in Quincy was higher for 1940 than 1939-15.3 as compared with 13.7. In spite of this the attendance and regis- tration at the Child Welfare Conferences was somewhat lower than in the previous year The national birth rate-according to figures released recently by the census bureau-has gone from 17.3 (1939) to 18 (1940) for every thousand population.
The infant mortality (29.8) was the lowest yet recorded in Quincy. There were three deaths among the registered babies- two due to lobar pneumonia and one due to a streptococcus infec- tion. As usual there were no deaths from nutritional disturbances among the registered babies. There were no deaths from diphtheria, poliomyelitis or scarlet fever. Roughly speaking the death rates of infants under one year all over the country has been cut more than 50 percent since 1916, while the death rate of those under seven days of age has been reduced only 10 percent. In Quincy for the year 1940 there were 35 infant deaths, of which 24 were in children
193
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
under the age of one month. In other words approximately two- thirds of the deaths were due to neo-natal causes. Accordingly more attention should be paid to prenatal care. The program for the care of the prematures and prenatal blood tests are steps in the right direction. In some communities-but not in Quincy- still too often neo-natal deaths occur from unnecessary birth in- jury and asphyxia.
For the first time the average American family numbers less than 4-3.8 to be exact. This is a steady decline since the first fam- ily count was made 50 years ago.
During the past year the Wollaston, Quincy and Atlantic con- ferences have had the services of Miss Marjorie Foster-nutrition worker for the Junior Welfare League. Her services have been a great assistance to the educational program. Also I must give due credit to the splendid assistance given by the Habit Clinic of the State Department of Mental Hygiene. I referred 67 children to them as compared with 47 during the previous year.
Very truly yours, EDMUND B. FITZGERALD, M.D. Child Welfare Physician
REPORT OF CHILD WELFARE NURSES
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH
Commissioner of Health
Dear Sir :-
Report of the Child Welfare Nurses for the year ending De- cember 31, 1940.
Total clinic registration during year 1460
Total clinic registration active December 31st 1059
Total new registration during year 742
Total clinic attendance 4743
Removed from files for reasons given below:
Deaths Lobar Pneumonia 2
3
Streptococcus Infection 1
Inactive 12 months and over
Entered school
Moved from city
Number of clinics held 288
Well baby clinics 267
Preschool clinics 10
Orthopedic clinics 11
194
CITY OF QUINCY
Clinics Held
Day
Station
Attendance
Examined
New Cases
Monday
South Quincy
894
672
144
Monday
Woodward (preschool)
140
131
42
Tuesday
Wollaston
702
664
90
Wednesday
Quincy Point
813
640
80
Thursday
Woodward
820
759
117
Thursday
Houghs Neck
310
255
52
Thursday
Woodward (orthopedic)
234
214
101
Friday
Atlantic
830
760
116
4743
4095
742
The Houghs Neck clinic is held twice a month; Preschool and Orthopedic clinics are held once a month and all others are held weekly.
Clinic Registration
Clinic
Active. Dec .. 31st
Inactive. I.year
Reg .. in. 1940
South Quincy
138
56
194
Wollaston
151
44
195
Houghs Neck
67
29
96
Woodward
179
50
229
Preschool
106
50
156
Orthopedic
142
66
208
Quincy Point
121
60
181
Atlantic
155
46
201
1059
401
1460
Boarding homes registered
14
Boarding homes not registered
3
Children now in boarding homes
30
Boarding home inspections
96
Total number of visits made
2505
Number of visits made to babies under 1 year
1428
Number of visits made to babies between 1 and 2 years
766
Number of visits made to preschool group ..
311
Referred to local doctor by clinic doctor or nurse
105
Referred to private or clinic dentist
50
Referred to Habit Clinic
67
Each Monday and Wednesday morning was spent in St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Parochial Schools.
Each Saturday morning Mrs. Kerr assisted at the Under- nourished Children's Clinic.
Respectfully submitted, MARY M. McLENNAN, R.N. HAZEL R. KERR, R.N. Child Welfare Nurses
195
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF PRESCHOOL ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC
January 1, 1941.
Dear Doctor Ash:
The following is a report of ten clinics attended by Doctor John L. Doherty from January 1940 to December 1940:
211 children were examined-104 were new admissions and 107 were follow-up examinations:
Classification of Conditions Found in New Patients
Pronated feet 55
Knock knees 22
Bow legs 6
Flat feet
18
Poor posture 3
Total
104
Sincerely yours, JOHN L. DOHERTY, M.D.
Annual Report of the Quincy Habit Clinic
February 27, 1941. To the Health Commissioner, City of Quincy:
It is with pleasure that I present the fourteenth annual report of the Quincy Child Guidance Clinic for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1940.
It is encouraging to note that the citizens of Quincy have ap- preciated the importance of treating behavior and personality diffi- culties of children in their beginning, and have given continued support to the Child Guidance Clinic during the past year. They have been alert to recognize that the Child Guidance Clinic is their community clinic for the study and treatment of the individual child as to his physical, mental and emotional health.
The changes, which occurred in the clinic staff during the year, did not interefere with the continuous service of the clinic. On September 1, 1940, Doctor Ernst Schmidhofer was appointed to succeed Doctor Charles Brenner as Senior Psychiatrist.
The procedure of the Quincy Child Guidance Clinic coincides with the standard procedures set up for all Child Guidance Clinics in Massachusetts, and is herein briefly described.
The first important consideration is a careful physical examina- tion, except where reports of recent examinations are available to the clinic. Physical defect or disease must be evaluated as it may be the primary causative factor in the particular problem for which the child was referred to the clinic.
196
CITY OF QUINCY
The next step in the study is made by the psychiatric social worker, who seeks to gain insight into the child's background and environment in all of its phases-home, school and play. This in- formation is obtained from the parents, physicians, teachers and other persons interested in the child. A complete report of the family situa- tion, together with developmental, personal and scholastic histories of the child are included in the social service study.
The psychologist then proceeds to study the child by evaluat- ing his intellectual capacity, his achievement scholastically, and his special aptitudes and disabilities. In recommended cases, special educationaltests are given for the purpose of helping to plan the child's education program and school placement. Observation of the child's conduct and reactions during the psychological examina- tion offers an excellent opportunity for a better understanding of the child's personality.
The final step in the procedure is made by the psychiatrist, who establishes a contact with the child and his parents. This study includes observations of the child's behavior and reactions, his personality and inner mental life, together wifh other factors hav- ing a bearing on the problem.
After all the facts have been co-ordinated and summarized, the case is reviewed at a conference, where recommendations for treat- ment to be followed are outlined by the psychiatrist. An interview with the parents or other persons interested in the child is held, and advice given as to the child's needs for healthy mental and physical development.
In addition to the clinic personnel already mentioned, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist have served at the clinic, and have assisted the psychiatrist in carrying out specific thera- peutic services with the children. The important program of speech therapy has been adequately conducted under the auspices of our supervisor of education. For children presenting speech problems, which may or may not be complicated by emotional problems or difficulties in adjustment, an intensive program of speech training has been carried on at the clinic. Occupational therapy has played an important role in the clinic procedure during the past two years. This particular form of treatment, prescribed by the psychiatrist for certain types of cases, has tended to develop self-assurance, self-expression, social response, and to improve the mental re- sources of children, all of which help to facilitate a more satisfac- tory adjustment to life.
During the year, the service of only one psychiatirst has been available, but, even considering that fact, the number of new cases admitted to the clinic increased slightly. In reviewing the sources of referrals of new cases, there has been a decrease in the number referred by health agencies and schools. This can be accounted for in part by the fact that, with the establishment of the School Guid- ance Department, many cases previously treated by the Child Guid- ance Clinic have been referred to the School Guidance Department. Mor intensive therapeutic service has been carried on with the children during 1940 than was formerly possible, and the quali- tative rather than quantative aspects of treatment have been em- phasized.
197
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
I feel certain that this community is appreciative of the ser- vice which the State has given, and recognizes the fact that addi- tional service is necessary if the needs of the children in this com- munity are to be more adequately met. With the present clinic facilities in Quincy, we are handicapped in accepting cases as rap- idly as they are referred. It is my hope that this community, as a future program, will give serious thought to the matter of supple- menting the present facilities by subsidizing the existing clinc. I would look to the public spirited citizens in this progressive city to stimulate interest in this work and provide means whereby Child Guidance Clinic treatment might be made available to more chil- dren than is possible at the present time.
While we look with satisfaction upon the accomplishments of the Quincy Child Guidance Clinic, it is with the knowledge that success has only been possible through the co-operation of parents, educators, health and social agencies, and other interested persons in the community.
I would like to express sincere gratitude to the personnel of the Quincy Child Guidance Clinic. It has been through their faith- ful service and untiring efforts that the clinic has been so successful. I am grateful for the co-operation and assistance extended to the clinic by the Health Commissioner, the School Department and the social agencies of Quincy and surrounding towns.
Sincerely yours,
EDGAR C. YERBURY, M.D., Director, Division of Mental Hygiene.
ECY :MF
198
CITY OF QUINCY
QUINCY CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC-1940
Total Number of Clinics Held 42
Total Number of Cases Carried 160
Total Number of New Cases 100
Total Number of Old Cases 52
Total Number of Visits by Children to Clinic. 834
Total Number of Interviews
3012
Sources from Which Cases Were Referred
Schools 59
Physicians
15
Health Agencies
8
Friends and Relatives
8
Family Agencies
5
Children's Agencies
2
Settlements 2
Clinic Staff
1
Total Number of New Cases Referred 100
REPORT OF NURSE WORK IN PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH
Commissioner of Health
Dear Sir :-
We hereby jointly submit a report of our combined activities in the Parochial Schools for the year ending December 1940:
Number of visits to schools 192
Number of children given vision test 551
Number of children seen in office 630
Number of dental appointments made 583
Number of children referred to private physicians 39
Number of children given health inspection 2700
Number of children weighed and measured 1098
Number of home visits made
90
Respectfully submitted,
CATHERINE F. COLEMAN, R.N MARY M. McLENNAN, R.N. HAZEL R. KERR, R.N.
199
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF INFANTILE PARALYSIS COMMISSION
February 3, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH Commissioner of Health Quincy, Massachusetts My dear Dr. Ash:
Following are the Quincy Treatment Clinic figures for 1940:
Forty-five clinics were held during the year with an average attendance at these clinics of twelve patients. In the four districts served by the Clinic there are fifty cases-twenty-seven in Quincy, seven in Milton, eleven in Braintree and five in Weymouth. Of these twenty-one of the Quincy cases attend the clinic; only two from Milton; eight from Braintree and four from Weymouth. Five hundred and thirty-one treatments were given these patients.
During the year, four new cases were added to the list of active cases and two of them were referred to the Clinic. Two cases were operated upon at the Children's Hospital. Two hundred and thirty-six visits were made to the Central Clinic at the Children's Hospital.
Sincerely, (Mrs.) ELSIE M. JEFFREY
200
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE NURSE
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH
Commissioner of Health
Dear Doctor :-
I herewith submit my report as Communicable Disease Nurse for the year ending December 1940.
One thousand, four hundred and fifty-seven cases of notifiable diseases were reported as follows:
Chickenpox
358
Cerebrospinal Meningitis
2
Dog Bites
178
Bacillary Dysentery
1
Sonnes Dysentery
1
German Measles
12
Lobar Pneumonia
161
Measles
256
Mumps
214
Scarlet Fever
137
Septic Sore Throat
5
Typhoid Fever
8
Para Typhoid "B'
1
Trichinosis
3
Whooping Cough
120
Total number of visits
2258
Scarlet Fever
536
Measles
445
Diphtheria Immunization
865
Typhoid Fever (cultures 118)
198
Whooping Cough
113
Dysentery (cultures 20)
22
Mumps
1
Septic Sore Throat
1
Cerebrospinal Meningitis
1
Tuberculosis
6
V. Disease
25
Public schools
32
Q.C.H. Social Service
13
Diphtheria
No diphtheria reported during the year. As in the previous year, immunization clinics were held in the various wards of the city, with a total of 1037 children having been immunized. Number of clinics 31.
The various age groups are as follows:
Under 1 year 71
1 year
284
2 years
156
3 years 66
201
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
4 years 48
5 years 100
6 years 207
7 years 34
8 years 17
9 years
14
10-14 years
40
It is estimated that 33.7 percent of the children in the 6 months to 4 year (inclusive) age group and 76.7 percent of the 5-9 year group have been immunized.
Eight hundred and sixty-five visits were made to the homes of the pre-school group before the clinics were held.
Measles
Two hundred and fifty-six cases were reported, a decided de- crease in number as compared with one thousand, two hundred and eighty cases in 1939. Two cases were sent to John Haynes Memorial Hospital.
Scarlet Fever
One hundred and thirty-seven cases reported, twenty of this number were hospitalized.
Typhoid Fever
Eight cases of Typhoid Fever and one case of Para Typhoid "B" were reported and hospitalized at the Quincy City Hospital. During the year the routine monthly visits were made and speci- mens sent to the State Laboratory. Forty-five Widals were ob- tained during the year. One death occurred at Quincy City Hospi- tal. At the Health Department office 26 contacts were given Ty- phoid inoculations by Dr. Richard Ash, Health Commissioner.
Whooping Cough
Four of the 120 cases were hospitalized at John Haynes Men- orial Hospital.
Office hours were held daily 9-9:30-1-1:30 P.M.
Children seen in office
756
Certificates were given children to return to school as follows :-
Chickenpox
334
Mumps
316
Whooping Cough
72
Measles
20
Scarlet Fever
7
German Measles
7
Number of clinics attended 138
Baby
56
T.A.T.
31
V. Disease
43
Dental
4
Preschool
1
Orthopedic
Undernourished
1
202
CITY OF QUINCY
In the follow-up work, the 2258 visits made included placarding, settlement histories, revisits, school visits, investigation of com- plaints and examination of contacts for release from quarantine.
Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:45 to 11:30 A.M. were spent at St. John's Parochial School as school nurse.
Respectfully submitted, CATHERINE F. COLEMAN, R.N. Contagious Disease Nurse
DENTAL CLINIC REPORT
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH Commissioner of Health
Dear Doctor :-
The School Dental Clinic has been functioning efficiently throughout the year. The attendance has been good and consider- able work has been accomplished.
The aim of a Dental Clinic is not only to extract teeth, fillings, etc., it is also an educational factor. The child is told to brush his teeth regularly and it is explained to him in a way he can under- stand, how important a healthy mouth is. The existence of a School Dental Clinic will not raise the intelligence level, but it does raise the attendance records, and surely a well child free from pain is free to learn and progress in school work.
As you know, clinics are held every school day from 9:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 1:00 to 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon. Three afternoons from 2:00 until 4:00 o'clock.
Miss Della Lucca does prophylactic work on children beyond the third grade.
I want to mention here the able and efficient assistance I have received from Miss Dorothy Della Lucca, Dental Hygienist. I take pleasure in extending my thanks to you as Commissioner, and also the members of the Health Department, and to the School Nurses for the co-operation I have received during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS E. SULLIVAN, D.M.D. School Dental Clinician
203
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC
January 1, 1941.
DR. RICHARD M. ASH
Commissioner of Health
Dear Dr. Ash :-
I herewith submit to you the annual report of the School Dental Clinic for the year ending December 31, 1940.
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