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 1954 > Part 3
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Dr. Cornelius Lynch, tuberculosis clinic physician for 31 years, died in September; and the vacancy thus created was filled by Dr. Susan Butler.
Dr. James Cameron was appointed school physician in September. The appointment of this pedia- trician to the new position created by the City Council permitted the inauguration of a school health pro- gram for the 1400 pupils in the three parochial schools in Quincy paralleling a similar program for public school students under the supervision of the School Department. This new service supplements the public health nursing service heretofore provided by the Health Department for parochial school youngsters. In addition to rendering direet health supervision to the parochial pupils through four weekly visits to the schools, the pediatrician also coordinates the activities of the teachers, nurses, nutritionists and other specialized personnel in the three schools.
Through the cooperation of the National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis and the Quincy School System, the Health Department arranged for the participation of Quincy in the Salk Vaccine Poliomyelitis Field Trials during the summer. Approximately 3500 children were inoculated over a four-week period. each child receiving three inoculations. In addition, 85 youngsters donated sample blood on three ocea- sions in connection with the tests. Forty-five Quincy physicians and many lay volunteers contributed their services during the tests.
During the year the tuberculosis control program was almost completely overhauled. The reorgani- zation followed, very closely. the recognition of problems pointed out by a tuberculosis case finding com- mittee formed the previous year. The reorganization clarified the functions of the tuberculosis clinic in the Health Department and revised to some extent the relationships existing between the Department, the Norfolk County Tuberculosis and Health Association and the Norfolk County Hospital: and has resulted in the development of an up-to-date case register.
An outstanding feature of the tuberculosis control program was the 70-min X-ray program for the carly detection of the disease. This program was directed especially at age groups known to have a high preva- lence of this disease. resulting in a more economical and more effective case finding program.
Mortality statistics in Quincy, as elsewhere in the country, show that chronic diseases are causing an increasingly greater proportion of deaths; the major causes of death and disability being heart and vas- cular diseases, cancer, accidents and the like.
In 1954 the Department developed a diabetes screening program which was conducted for one week. A newly developed testing procedure for sugar in the urine, known as "Dreypac", was tested on a small scale: and 479 tests for sugar in the blood were made. Eighteen positive results were reported, only five of which were from individuals already known to have had diabetes. Eight new previously unknown cases were discovered: and the patients were referred to their family doctors when the diagnosis was confirmed. It is roughly estimated that there are 800 diabeties in the city, only 400 of whom are known to have the disease.
During the year a consultant in physical therapy, Mrs. Margaret S. Sandin, R.N., P.T., joined the staff on a part time basis, permitting the inauguration of a physical therapy program, a new service in the Health Department. The program included: consultation services to nurses, direct physical therapy serv- ice to selected patients, coordination of physical therapy services in the community. A total of 212 treat- ments were given.
Pursuant to a City Council order adopting Section 26C. Chapter 111. General Laws, an Advisory Council of Health was set up to act in an advisory capacity to the health commissioner. The committee appointed by the city manager included William J. Martin, Mrs. Edward F. Medley, Dr. Morgan Sargent, Dr. Edward Fitzgerald, Nathaniel M. Sherman and John D. Burns.
The Health Information Committee, under the direction of Helen P. Cleary, health educator, >pon- sored a number of important health education activities during the year.
An industrial health program. in which health education is carried directly to industrial firms, was
Annual Report
33
launched. The Old Colony Laundry had the honor of being the first Quincy industry to pioneer partici- pation in this program.
The Health Information Committee, with the cooperation of the American Cancer Society, the Massachusetts Heart Association and the Society for the Conservation of Men Over Forty, instituted the "Over 40" Program. This program, designed to direct the attention of men over 40 years of age to the prevalence of chest diseases and the importance of regular check-ups, was started in Squantum and Mont- clair. Chest X-rays of several hundred citizens disclosed abnormal conditions in a number of cases which were referred to family physicians. Plans were made to continue the program in Wollaston early in 1955.
The Health Information Committee printed and mailed to homes in one section of the city four issues of the bulletin, Everybody's Business. A telephone survey on Everybody's Business indicated that the publie is interested in and will read good health information presented in readable forin.
Following an evaluation of the functions of the Health Department statistician, the decision was reached to reduce and eliminate much perfunetory statistical routine, notably the time consuming collec- tion and tabulation of vital statistics. This change has released more time for the more practical statis- tical needs of a health department. and the assignment of the statistician to more administrative duties such as procedural consultant. records consultant. finance supervision. collection and coordination of reports and the like.
The varied activities of the Health Department are reflected in the following statistics taken from the annual reports of the various divisions:
1954 Statistics
Nursing activities: home visits
1956
Attendance, child health clinics
4480
Attendance. tuberculosis clinics
566
Physical therapy treatments
212
Food inspections, stores, restaurants, etc.
1355
Food handlers X-rayed
2102
Dairy products samples analyzed
2200
Teeth filled, school dental clinic
3672
Teeth extracted, school dental clinic
499
Teeth filled, pre-school dental clinic
1078
Teeth extracted, pre-school dental clinic
29
Laboratory tests
6028
Persons screened on 70-mm X-ray
5805
Results of 70-mm screenings:
Pulmonary T.B., various stages
25
Heart abnormalities
109
Other pulmonary abnormalities
36
Of 2102 food handlers X-rayed. 49 were referred to their physicians or to clinics because of findings of heart abnormalities, and lung pathology. During 1954 no new cases of active tuberculosis were found in this group.
Of 405 persons X-rayed in the "Over Forty" program, there were 19 heart abnormalities and 15 posi- tive or suspicious findings.
During 1954, by vote of the City Council, the shellfish constable was transferred from the Police to the Health Department. In conformance with the recommendations of the constable. the City Council acted as follows: April. closed the area from Black's Creek to Rice Road; August, closed the area from Lord's Point to Black's Creek: October, opened for non-commercial diggers the areas from Rice Road to Wollaston Yacht Club. and the area from Lord's Point to Black's Creek for commercial digging: Decem- ber, opened the area from Quincy Yacht Club to Rock Island Point, digging to be restricted to Mon- days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
--
During the year clain digging licenses were issued to 664 residents, 473 non-residents and 142 com- mercial shell fishermen.
City of Quincy
34
THE QUINCY CITY HOSPITAL
The Quincy City Hospital made marked progress in 1954.
On the financial side, the total operations showed a net reduction in the deficit from $373,173.62 in 1953 to $357.373.54 in 1954. Only four years ago, in 1951, the deficit was $651,895.84.
However, the outstanding achievement of 1954 was in the professional rather than the fiscal field.
During the year the Quincy City Hospital won approval of a four-year surgical residency training program - the result of the work of the surgical staff which was responsible for bringing about an affilia- tion with the Boston City and the Brockton hospitals.
In addition, the Quiney City Hospital's school for training nurse-anesthetists and its school for train- ing medical technologists were also approved. The hospital continued to receive full accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and by the American Medical Association for its intern training program. Other residencies continued on the approved list were in pathology and in obstetrics- gynecology on the first-year level.
The director's report brings out the fact that more than ever crowded conditions in the adult medi- cal and surgical wards continually grow worse to the extent that it is considered unsafe and unsanitary to continue in this way much longer. As a result of a survey by a leading hospital consultant, it was brought out that "it is urgent that additional facilities be provided to meet the health needs of a growing community," Guy W. Hart, chairman of the Board of Managers pointed out in his annual report.
Patient admissions increased from 11,183 in 1953 to 11,374 in 1954, with a resultant increase in
patient-days. The average daily stay was 6.8, among the lowest in New England. The shorter the average patient stay, the more that can be expected of ancillary services in terms of laboratory tests, blood trans- fusions and the like. The number of tests jumped from 100,431 to 103,310 last year. Medical and univer- sity students were hired to work evenings and week-ends and holidays so that urgent laboratory tests could be done around the clock, seven days a week.
The aceident room shows an increase of patients of almost 1,000; the obstetrical department experi- eneed the busiest year in five years, with 1,867 newborns. The average stay of mothers in maternity cases has been reduced from a former average of 10 to 14 days to a present average of five to seven days.
The Pathology and Laboratory departments were approved by the state to perform all types of labo- ratory tests. The Quincy hospital is one of six in the state so approved.
The City Council authorized the payment of student nurses at a rate of $15, $20 and $25 monthly. This stipend, it is felt eertain, will enable the School of Nursing to build up toward a desired enrollment of 120 students. There were 77 students in the school as the year closed; with 26 admitted in September and 30 graduated.
The Serposs Clinie at Houghs Neck had 63 new patients and 77 revisits.
The Clinic for Alcoholism recorded 70 admissions: 24 percent referred by physicians, 37 percent by the Court: 13 self-referrals, 7 percent each by relatives and social agencies and 6 percent by other patients.
During the year a new $25,000 X-ray machine was acquired and installed: the old equipment being transferred and installed in Ward A. Plans called for aceident room and out-patient X-rays taken in Ward A, thus relieving congestion in the X-ray department.
During the year Dr. F. Ramon Burke and Dr. Cornelius J. Lynch, both of whom served on the active staff for many years. died.
Financial Operations
1952
1954
Salaries and Wages
1951 $1,308,028.34
$1,420,498.21 469,955.31
1953 $1,450,416.79 197,979.65 15,367.85 1,963,764.29
$1,517,774.69
Expenses
510,023.36 12.618.66
21.254.85
Capital Outlay
Total Expenditures
1,830,670.36
1,911,708.37
Receipts
1,178,774.52
1,404.532.36
1,590,590.67
2.026,630.19 1.669,256.65
Excess of Expenditures Over Receipts
651.895.84
507,176.01
373,173.62
357,373.54
198,474.50 10,381.00
Annual Report
35
Patient Statistics
1953
1954
Admissions
Room Patients
1,336
1,344
Ward Patients
8,802
8,936
Service Patients
1,0-45
1,094
Total
11,183
11.374
Out-Patient Clinics
2,328
2.801
Private Out-Patients
4,783
4,164
Accidents
8,603
9,526
Ambulance Calls
1,632
1,815
Physical Therapy Treatments
3.347
2,464
Pre-Natal Visits
487
697
Newborn
1,744
1,867
Operations
5,711
5.386
Laboratory Examinations
100,431
103.310
X-ray Exams and Treatments
12,049
12,612
Daily Average Patients
226
226.7
Daily Average, Excl. Newborn
196.7
196.6
Daily Average, Newborn
29.3
30.1
Total Days Treatment
82,487
82,763
Days Treatment. Excl. Newborn
71,800
71,766
Days Treatment, Newborn
10,687
10,997
Deaths
323
325
Autopsies
156
145
Autopsy Percentage
48.3%
44.6%
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Total fire losses in Quincy during 1954 were $261,523, a substantial reduction from the 1953 loss of $369.474. This is a per capita loss of approximately $3.07 as compared with per capital losess of $4.19 in 1953 and $3.54 in 1952.
Fire Statistics, 1954
Alarms responded to
2,197
Fires in buildings
370
Grass and brush fires
1,483
Miscellaneous fires
112
False alarıns
113
Needless alarms
25
Calls for rescue/first aid work
76
Company movements
3,741
Feet of hose laid
248,700
Feet of ladders raised
8,582
Hours of pumping operation by companies
456
Drills held by companies
1,386
Fire Prevention Bureau permits
1,526
During the year three fire alarm boxes were established in new locations: 2,285 feet of conductor ' aerial cable was erected to replace open wires; four miles of iron wire was erected, replacing old wire and hurricane damage wire.
Captain William J. Tobin was promoted to deputy chief to fill the vacancy created by the retire- ment of Deputy Chief William Wholey.
City of Quincy
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36
7,111
6,965
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES
During the latter part of 1954 the Quiney Department of Veterans Services experienced an increase of nearly 100 percent in providing financial relief to veterans. their families and parents. Local employ- ment sagged in industries using large numbers of men with mechanical or industrial skills, thus aceen- tuating the problems of young men with growing families, a group extremely sensitive to lowered income.
The Department receives more than 10,000 requests yearly by personal application for various types of services for which veterans and their dependents are eligible. Distribution of veterans' benefits jumped from $226,354.64 in 1953 to $304,619.24 in 1954. The City receives reimbursement from the state of one half of this amount.
The Quiney Department of Veterans Services, Director Edmund F. Genereau estimates, is saving over $150,000 in hospitalization costs by prompt placement of ill veterans in Government hospitals and through reimbursing the City Hospital for indigent veterans or their dependents for whom hospitalization has been provided. The program also makes 40 to 50 beds available monthly at the City Hospital that would, other- wise, be used by veterans.
Director Genereau points out in his annual report that medical care costs are constantly inereasing.
"Legislative liberalization of all type of assistance makes assistance a continuously heavier burden," he points out.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
HIGHWAY AND SANITARY DIVISIONS
During 1954 the Public Works Department supervised a number of major capital outlay projeets.
The contraet for the installation of new toilet rooms and alterations to the stairway at Central Junior High School was let and completed.
The contraets were let for the construction of the new elementary school on Furnace Brook Park- way: and the work started.
Plans and specifications were being prepared for the construction of the proposed new elementary school at Houghs Neek, to be ealled Great Hill School; and plans for the second addition to the Snug Harbor School were under preparation. Finishing touches were made to the four-room demountable addition to the Squantum School.
The Sanitary Division condueted its routine garbage and rubbish collections; and, in addition, pumped 232 eesspools.
Construction of the first phase of the John Haneoek Parking area was completed. Houses on Cot- tage Street, Revere Road and Chestnut Street were demolished in preparation for the construction of the second phase of the program. A contraet for the construction of drainage and preliminary grading was let and was virtually completed by the end of the year.
The resurfacing of Adams Street, with Chapter 90 funds, was completed during the year. Under the saine provisions. Haneoek Street between Temple and School Streets: Franklin Street between Sehool Street and Presidents Avenue; and Water Street between Franklin and Pleasant Streets were reconstructed.
Sea Street between Palmer Street and the Willows was reconstructed. Contraets were let for the eon- struetion of Hilma Street, Arthur Avenue, Clement Terrace, Everett Street. Glynn Terrace. Hynes Aveme. London Avenue and Stanley Cirele were let. but not completed.
East Squantum Street Causeway was completed by eity employees; and eity workers also resurfaced East Squantum Street and Dorchester Street; widened Haneoek Street at Temple and Washington Streets. The construction of Princess Eve Drive and Lois Terraee was virtually completed by eity men.
Contraets for the construction of the Veterans Memorial in Mount Wollaston Cemetery were let; one for the site and one for the memorial.
Publie Works employees, augmented by many extra employees, spent most of their time for several months late in the year cleaning up debris resulting from the two severe hurricanes.
Annual Report
37
THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
The regular work of the Forestry Department in 1954 was over-shadowed by the extra activities in storm debris clearance necessitated by the tremendous damage to trees by Hurricanes Carol and Edna at the summer's end.
The toll of the two tropical stormns necessitated the following activities:
659 street trees removed and stumps dug out. 97 private trees, growing close to sidewalks, removed and stumps dug up. 3640 street trees damaged. broken branches removed. 1357 private trees damaged, broken branches removed. 24 sections of curbing necding replacement. 123 concrete sidewalk sections damaged by trec roots. 147 blacktop sidewalk sections damaged by tree roots.
In the regular tree removal program. January to September, a total of 281 trees were cut down, in- cluding 204 afflicted with the Dutch Elin Discase.
In the greenhouse were grown 4000 Geraniums, 5000 Aurea-Atheranthera, 1000 Centerliners, 4000 Sweet Alyssums. 500 Dwarf Marigolds, 200 Begonias and 200 Chysanthemums.
In July. 161 Dutch Ehn Disease trees were found, and a contract was awarded to MacQuinn Tree Service for $8,975 for their removal.
The New Sky Worker was delivered in October, and it did efficient work on hurricane damaged trees and in clearing electric wires.
At the end of the year it was estimated that 285 more trees severely damaged by the hurricanes would have to be removed.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Summary of Statistics
Population, estimated December 31. 1954
85,000
Daily average consumption in gallons
7,302,900
Gallons per capita
86
Main pipe laid during 1954 in feet
6,289
Total miles of mains now in nse
220.2
Leaks repaircd in mains
49
Mains cleaned and cement lined, miles
1.42
New service pipe laid in 1954. feet
9,405
Feet of service pipe now in use
885,673
Taps made during 1954
209
Services discontinued
31
Number of services now in usc
19,169
Services cleaned because of poor pressure
50
Service pipe renewed
247
Service leaks repaired
276
Sprinkler connections for fire purposes
111
Number meters now in use
19,108
Meters installed 1954, new services
172
Percent of services metered
99.
Hydrants in use December 31. 1954
2,076
Hydrants broken by automobiles
19
Hydrants removed
7
Hydrants converted to National Standard Thread
660
New hydrants installed 1954
7
Number gate valves in use December 31, 1954
3,759
(now 100 o/o)
City of Quincy
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38
Average Daily Consumption in Gallons for 1954
January
7,474,800
July
8,085,500
February
7,308,900
August
7,375,200
March
7,226,500
September
7,332,700
April
7,124,300
October
7,177,400
May
6,998,400
November
7,022,900
June
7,610,300
December
6,894,200
Average daily
7,302,900
Storage Reservoirs in Distribution System
Name
Year Built
Elevation
Capacity Gals.
Forbes Hill Res.
1901
192
5,100,000 MDC
Forbes Hill Stpipe
1900
251
330,000
Cranch Hill Stpipe
1936
233
2,000,000
Penns Hill Stpipe
1926
233
1,000,000
Penns Hill Tank
1934
256
200,000
Houghis Neck Tank
1914
205
400,000
Squantum Tank
1926
211
300,000
Break Neck Hill Stpipe
1934
269
197,000
Emergency connections with other water systems: With Boston 2: with Milton, 3: with Braintree 2.
New water pipe, in feet, laid in 1954 is as follows: 6 in., 1804; 8 in., 784; 10 in., 800; 12 in., 2217: 20 in., 684: total. 6,289 feet.
Pipe in use December 31, 1954, in fect: 2 in., 15,606; 4 in., 64.462: 6 in., 511,877; 8 in., 299,949: 10 in., 111,065; 12 in., 106,400; 16 in., 37,474: 20 in., 16,226; total 1,163,059 feet.
CEMETERY DIVISION
During 1954 the Cemetery Department opened graves in Mt. Wollaston Cemetery for 573 burials and 10 removals. The department sold 411 graves; and foundations were made for 256 monuments.
Mt. Wollaston lost about 60 large trees during the hurricanes in the late summer.
The department estimates that the facilities at Mt. Wollaston will be exhausted in three to four more years.
During the year a number of monuments were reset in Mt. Wollaston, Hancock and Sailors' Snug Harbor cemeteries in Wollaston and Germantown - the four burial grounds supervised by the department.
Receipts during the year were $90.961.43.
THE DIVISION OF SEWERS
The Division of Sewers of the Quincy Public Works Department built 4.956.9 linear feet of main sewer lines in 1954: and at the end of the year had 18.688 miles of mains in operation.
During the year 14,618.3 feet of particular sewers were laid: with 18,156 sanitary sewers in opera- tion as the year closed. In 1954. a total of 320 connections with the common sewer were made by wards as follows: Ward One, 121: Ward Two, 12; Ward Three, 26; Ward Four, 32; Ward Five, 34; Ward Six, 95.
Connections were made at 272 single family homes: four two-family dwellings: one four-apartment building and one three-apartment dwelling; and 12 stores, 8 office buildings, five factories.
A total of 13,022.91 feet of storm drains were built; and the year closed with 127.586 miles of drains in operation.
During the year inspection, cleaning and flushing of sewers was carried on. A total of 457 stoppages were reported. During the two hurricanes, sewer division employees were kept busy removing trees and pumping out cellars.
Annual Report -
39
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
The Engineering Department, hand-maiden of all other divisions of municipal government, was again at the beck and call of other departments during 1954.
Within the year the Engineers:
Prepared taking plans and orders for 57 proposed street acceptances and land takings.
Prepared estimates for 33 roadway resurfacing, rebuilding and widening projects; 42 sidewalk proj- ects: 10 curbing installations: 78 sewer projects: 15 parking area and traffic island projects, and 14 mis- cellaneous projects.
Prepared 51 reports pertaining to offers of purchase for city-owned land and 44 accident claim reports.
Established 294 building grades: prepared 156 various types of plans pertaining to sewer and drain work; made 14 surveys pertaining to traffic signs and signals: furnished the tax collectors data in response to 2214 requests for information on property liens: and made 2209 alterations on assessors' plans.
Plans and specifications were prepared for construction by contract of 40 different projects.
Field engincering studies were supplied for the construction of 60 storm drains, 27 sanitary sewers, 24 streets (new construction and resurfacing) ; 2 widenings, 11 sidewalks, and 8 curbing jobs.
During the year 400 of the 718 assessors' tracings were replaced with new reproductions which have resulted in more satisfactory prints for assessment use.
Surveys and plans were made in connection with the sites for the Furnace Brook School and the pro- posed Broad Meadows junior high school.
DEPARTMENT OF WIRE INSPECTION
The Department of Wire Inspection during 1954 issued permits for the wiring of 244 new buildings. These included 181 one-family homes, four two-family dwellings, 10 mercantile buildings, four manufac- turing plants, five garages, two schools and 38 miscellaneous buildings.
Permits were also issued for additional wiring in 1900 dwelling houses and in 412 other buildings.
Permanent wiring for appliances covered 123 hot water heaters, 1,084 oil burners, 8 heat regulators, 325 electric ranges, 13 gas burners, 77 dryers. 16 dishwashers, 30 disposals, 19 air conditioners and 45 other heating units.
Fees came to $5,702.25.
Damage caused by Hurricanes Carol and Edna necessitated hiring two added electricians for several weeks. During September and the early part of October the department made 585 inspections of hurri- cane damages.
QUINCY RECREATION COMMISSION
The Quincy Recreation Commission, employing 86 part time paid recreation leaders, operated 34 different playgrounds during 1954, 11 indoor recreation center, 10 regulation baseball diamonds, 16 soft- ball diamonds. 9 bathing beaches, 24 tennis courts and one major athletic field. In addition, 6 skating areas, one bowling green and two picnic areas were in operation.
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