USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1955-1959 > Part 7
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
virus without knowing it. Physical exertion during pre- liminary phases of the disease is believed to be related to the difference between non-paralytic and paralytic forms. By instituting these measures we were directing our effort toward prevention of paralytic disease.
On the basis of our recent experience in this epidemic it would appear unnecessary in the future to postpone arbitrarily the opening of public schools if those schools are as well sanitated as ours; and if there is as efficient and cooperative group of superintendents, teachers, principals, school committeemen and medical staff as we have the good fortune to possess in our town.
Postponement of the opening of our schools did not result in any less disease in children of school age or in the population at large than could otherwise have been expected. On the other hand, after schools were opened there was no evidence whatsoever of spread in the schools. The postponement did achieve the two stated objectives of :
(1) Somewhat aleviating the emotional concern of parents who were more afraid to have their children in the school enviroment than to have them at home.
(2) Absolved the town officials from blame for any cases occuring in children who would have been attending the public schools during the two- week interval of their postponed opening.
Sex Ratio of Cases
Twenty-one, or 66%, of the 32 cases occured in males. Two-thirds of the cases occuring in males reflects 3. sex ratio which is usually observed in polio epidemics. The relative physical activity and exertion expended by the male of the human species during the early onset of
120
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
polio infection seems to account for the bigger incidence of severe and disagnosable polio. Probably an equal proportion of females become infected with polio virus- but they do not tend to develop paralytic disease with the frequency of the males. Pregnancy is a stress which does seem to result in a high incidence of paralytic disease if infection in the absence of immunity occurs at that time.
Multiple Cases in Families in Randolph
Two cases occured in each of two Randolph families. In one of these families two brothers came down with paralysis within a few hours of each other. This clearly represents what is referred to as "common source" in- fection. They doubtless came in contact with the virus at the same time and place one or two weeks before onset of their disease. In the other family one son developed paralysis and 12 days later his brother developed fever and sore throat and other symptoms which enabled the doctor to diagnose non-paralytic polio. The second son thus acquired his infection from the first. The source of infection in most cases of polio cannot be traced as easily as this, however, since it is frequently contracted by contact, direct or indirect, with carriers or "missed cases" instead of from a recognized and diagnosed case.
Gamma Globulin
Early in the course of the epidemic gamma Globulin was made available by the National Foundation for In- fantile Paralysis, to whom we are grateful, and this was used by the physicians of the town especially for protec- tion of pregnant women and for family contacts of cases.
Analysis of the results of the use of this substance is very difficult for many technical reasons, and has not been completed. However, our preliminary data shows no instance of polio occurence in a pregnant women of the
121
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
town who received gamma globulin early in the epidemic.
The protection capacity of gamma globulin is con- troversial and the conditions for its use are not defined. Theoretically, if it could have been given to the entire population of Randolph during about the first week of July (before the first wave of the epidemic) and re- peated in mid-August our epidemic could have been post- poned or prevented. It has not been proven to be of value after exposure. The theoretical indications for use of gamma globulin are difficult to meet. Therefor many authorities consider it to be of little or no practical value. However, we consider that the effort expanded to make this material generally available to the citizens of Ran- dolph for contacts of cases and on a clinic basis for preg- nant women was worthwhile. No cases are known to have occured in the latter group; and the use in contacts in the hope of preventing the disease was of great psycho- logical value, even if not proven to be of definite pre- ventive value under the conditions of its use.
Salk Vaccine
One dose of Salk vaccine was given during the last few days of May to the children of the first and second grades whose parents requested it. Six hundred four children were inoculated. Second and booster doses of the vaccine have not been given to date because of non- availability of the vaccine for public programs in Massa- chusetts. Analysis of our cases reveals no evidence that the Randolph cases were in any way related to the ad- ministration of the vaccine. It is noteworthy that among the highly susceptible age group inoculated last May only two non-paralytic cases of polio occured. Of the 1075 children in town in the six seven and eight year age groups 563 were vaccinated with Salk vaccine and only two non-paralytic cases occured in this group. There were 512 who were not vaccinated and four cases occurred
122
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
one of which was a respirator paralytic case and another of which died.
In an epidemic of the severity of the one which we have just experienced we could have expected a few more cases wihin this group of the first and second graders. It would appear that even one dose of the vaccine prob- ably prevented several paralytic cases, but it is impossible on the basis of the small numbers in Randolph experience above to assess the value of the vaccine.
Sewage and Poliomyelitis
Research workers have demonstrated that cases and "carriers" of polio virus may continue to secrete the virus in their intestinal discharges for various intervals up to three months. Furthermore, the virus has been repeatedly recovered from sewage.
Thus sewage or human fecal contamination of the environment may be an important factor in the spread of polio. Just how important is not known since the virus can also be recovered from the throat of patients, but only for a day or two. If environmental contamination with sewage because of inadequate or overflowing local disposal units is a factor in spread, then this would tend to account for the excess severity and rates and deaths encountered in unsewered Randolph as contrasted with the lower rates encountered in numerous other better san . itated communities.
Certainly the disease occurs, and sometimes with high rates in well sewered communities. On the other hand, in areas of extremely poor sanitation such as in India and China the disease attacks practically all infants before they are one year of age with little or no resulting paralysis because the disease is notably less severe in this age group. Thus the disease is seldom diagnosed in these very poorly anitated communities. But Randolph
123
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
remains partially protected with spotted areas of poor sanitation cropping up at irregular times depending upon rains or other situations favorable for overflow of local disposal units. In this regard this year was a bad one. It is entirely probable that a casual relationship exists be- tween these inadequacies and our excessively high rates this year for polio.
Your Board of Health again takes this opportunity to urge that every possible step be taken to expedite the installation of a system of Sanitary Sewers in this rapidly growing town.
Present Status of Paralytic Cases as of Dec. 31; 1955
Of the 22 paralytic cases, 18 lived. Of these, nine have had a virtually complete recovery with little or no residual paralysis. Children under the age of four years have had the highest excellent recovery rate. In this re- spect our experience is quite typical for the disease is notoriously more severe when it occurs in older age groups (see figure 4).
The nine patients who have residual paralysis are receiving physiotheraphy and appropriate after-care at various clinics and hospitals. Some of these will require later hospitalization, costly prolonged treatment, ortho- pedic operations and appliances.
An appeal is made here by the members of your official health agency (your Board of Health) to gen- erously continue your support of the voluntary health agency which is dedicated to assisting these polio patients. The latter agency is the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING PROGRAM
Miss Beatrice Scannell and Mrs. Janet Dimmick the public health nurses provided skilled nursing care in the home of patients who were under the care of a physician.
124
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
They instructed and gave demonstrations of care to be carried out during their absence to some capable member of the family. They also demonstrated certain treatments ordered by physician and instructed as to the safeguard- ing of the health of the entire family.
The public health nurses help, guide and instruct mothers before and after birth of the baby and help her plan for the care of the rest of the family during this time. Care of the newborn is taught through demonstra- tions and instructions. Statistics as follows: Ante- partum, 57; Post-partum, 348; Prematures, 111; New- born, 232; Over 1 month-under 1 year, 265; Pre-school, 1.28; and School, 26.
One pre-school clinic held each month-number seen up to school age 228. Assisted at Toxid clinic in the schools. Salk vaccine clinics, Blood Bank, and school coverage following polio epidemic.
When new and early cases of diseases were found, they assisted. They planned for clinics to help maintain better health in the Town. The nurses follow up on all reported cases and assist in planning for continuance of care for complete recovery. Classes were attended and meetings were held with other Public Health nurses and physicians in order to be able to give the best care and advice possible to our people. Records of all data per- taining to health are kept and studies made of each case in order to be able to understand the problems each one faces. There is a continuous effort on the part of the nurses to maintain and keep good health in the Town.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT
Communicable diseases for the year of 1955 were as follows: Poliomylities, 32; Chicken Pox, 25; Dog-bite, 87; Spinal Meningitis, 1; Measles, 72; Mumps, 15; Tuberc- ulosis, 6; Cat-bite, 1; Infectious-Hepatitis, 1; and Salmon- elsisis, 1.
125
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
All incidents of communicable disease were investi- gated from an epidemioligical viewpoint by the Visiting Nurses and the Board of Health Agent.
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION REPORT
Many of the nuisance complaints investigated by the Board of Health have been related to overflowing cess- pools. With one exception all were abated without re- course to court action.
The possibility of sewage contamination in the reser- voir still exists and will be eliminated only when the catchment area of our water supply is completely sewered by a sanitary sewerage system.
During the flood rains of August 17-18 and for a few weeks thereafter special and frequent chlorine residual tests were taken of the town water supply to insure ade- quate chlorination. Requests were made of the Water Department in a few occassions to increase the chlorine input for safety and health reasons. Cooperation between the Board of Health and the Water Department has been excellent.
Many inspections of the piggeries were made and three licenses were revoked as a result of repeated non- compliance with Board of Health regulations regarding Pigs and Piggeries.
Three hundred twenty-six permits for local sewage disposal systems were issued after building sites were approved by the Board of Health.
FOOD SANITATION PROGRAM
A sanitation program for food handling establish- ments has been initiated. Regulations have been printed and distributed to each establishment. Restaurants, fountains and bar-rooms are inspected at least monthly and bacteriological tests of utensils are taken periodically.
126
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
"The improvement in the sanitation of all food handling establishments has been most gratifying.
REVENUE PRODUCED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The sum of $2939.36 was received including $652.00 for permits for local sewage disposal units; regular li- censes, $68.00; hospitalization subsidies, $475.86; plumb- ing licenses, $1,695.00; and for milk and dairy products licenses, $66.50.
Expenditures for personnel and services are shown elsewhere in this Town report.
ANIMAL INSPECTION
Cornelius J. Crowley, Animal Inspector reports as of December 31, 1955 there were in the Town of Ran- dolph, 80 cows, 50 horses and 406 swine. The swine population is markedly lower than the number reported as of December 31, of the previous year and reflects the fact that the Board of Health has revoked the licenses of three piggeries.
Mr. Crowley reports that during the calender year of 1955, he quarantined 87 dogs as a result of reported bites. This of course is in conjunction with a rabbies con- trol program. This number of dog bites occuring an- nually indicates a need for a rabies vaccination program in dogs. In view of the fact that no rabies in dogs has been reported for several years and because of other programs of higher priority, dog vaccination is not included in the budget expense for the year. Attention must be given to this in the near future, however, because animal rabies is present in the States surrounding the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Board of Health will watch for reports of rabies in animals in Massachusetts and if necessary emergency arrangements will be made for dog vaccination during
127
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
this year. In any event, it is believed during 1957 a dog vaccination program should be initiated, since human rabies is 100% fatal.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Mr. Thomas O'Riley, plumbing inspector issued 267 permits for plumbing installations in Randolph; and the sum of $1,695 was collected and turned into the Town Treasurer.
The following fixtures were installed. Three hun- dred forty-five water closets, 288 sinks, 320 washbowls, 263 bathtubs, 16 wash trays, 5 slop sinks, 10 urinals, 22 washing machines, two drinking fountains, 24 gas heaters, 93 pressure boilers and 141 tankless heaters.
Report of Dental Clinic
William F. Maguire, D.M.D., has concluded another year in the dental clinic with the very able assistance and co- operation of the school nurses.
This past year, the dental clinic was conducted with emphasis being stressed on the children from the first to the sixth grades. Again, we endeavored to impress upon them the importance of the preservation of the six year molar which is known as the keystone to the dental arch.
With the ever growing population of our community there was a marked increase in the number of children needing dental care. The present appropriation is in- sufficient to carry on this work in a satisfactory manner.
SETH W. SWAIN, Chairman F. RANDOLF PHILBROOK, M.D., M.P.H. Medical Health Officer
ROBERT A. COREY
January 12, 1956
128
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Report of The Water Commissioners
To the Citizens of the Town of Randolph:
The seventieth annual report of the Board of Water Commissioners is herewith submitted, covering activities of the Department for the year ending December 31, 1955.
We ask that you analyze the entire report which gives complete data relative to collections, maintenance, metering, pumping, purification, new construction etc :
Organization of the Board was as follows:
Frederick D. Driscoll Chairman
Martin E. Young Clerk
William J. Almond Associate
DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE
During the calendar year 1955, the Department re- ceived applications for three hundred and eight new services. These have been installed and added to the water system.
Sixty-seven service leaks were repaired; of these; forty-one were renewed from main to stop; two services were abandoned; four services were relocated. Twenty three services were rodded out and cleaned and twenty eight frozen services were thawed out by electricity. Twenty-four service boxes, found broken and filled, were replaced.
METER DEPARTMENT
In the meter department one hundred and forty-nine meters were removed from service during the year. Seventy-four were not registering, twenty-one were fro-
129
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
zen and burst, seven were removed for tests, eight were removed to be junked, and thirty-nine were removed for various other reasons. One hundred and seventeen were reset and twenty-five new ones were set as replacement. Two hundred and seventy-three additional new meter settings were made.
In conjunction with the widening and resurfacing of South St., forty-five services were renewed and the curb stops relocated to the new curb lines. The department also replaced, gated and relocated all of the old hydrants, found to be faulty, on this job.
During the year the department had eight broken hydrants, all done by automobiles. The town has been reimbursed, through insurance, for some of these. Three other hydrants were relocated. Also, one new six inch fire service was added to the system. About one hundred and fifty feet of two inch main was lowered on Upham St., to prevent freezing, and one hundred feet of one inch line was also lowered on Rockfeller St., for the same pur- pose.
In connection with the drainage job on Allen St., seven services were renewed and lowered. And all service boxes on Old St., were raised to the new sidewalk grading.
MAIN BREAKS
Ox Bow Lane
11/4"
Pulled out by power shovel
Martindale Road 11/4"
Pulled out by power
shovel
Pumping Station Yard 14"
Blown joint
Force feed line in swamp
Blown joint
Pictun Road
6" Cracked pipe
Chestnut St.
(at Old St.)
6"
Cracked pipe
130
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Reynolds Ave. 6" Blown joint
Martindale Road
6"
Cracked pipe
Westland Ave. 2" Broken by contractor
NEW MAIN INSTALLATIONS
REPLACEMENTS AND EXTENSIONS
TRUMAN DRIVE
1200ft. 6" C. I. pipe, five gates, three hydrants ELLIOT STREET 380 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one gate
RICHARD ROAD 600 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, two hydrants, three gates
CANAVAN DRIVE 520 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, two gates
GERALD ROAD
1250 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, two hydrants, five gates
KNIGHTS CRESCENT
900 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, two hydrants, three gates
TANGEN ROAD 300 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one gate
BARTLETT ROAD
400 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, one gate
WEBSTER STREET
500 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, two gates
GLENWAY AVE.
900 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, two gates
RYAN STREET 450 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, three gates
EMELINE STREET
300 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one gate
13]
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
IRVING ROAD
2600 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, six hydrants, nine gates (Nine new services were connected to this line)
OLD MILL ROAD
700 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, three gates
MARTINDALE ROAD
800 ft. 11/4" copper tube (auxiliary main)
SOREN STREET
800 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, three gates
VANDERBILT STREET 200 ft. 6" C. I. pipe
OX BOW LANE
200 ft. 2" wrought iron (cement lined)
GLORIA ROAD
300 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one gate
THAYER AVE.
1050 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, one gate
ELY STREET
400 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one hydrant, one gate (not completed)
MORSE STREET
100 ft. 6" C. I. pipe, one gate
Due to a late spring and a crowded work program, some of the main installations approved at the town meeting have been placed for completion on the 1956 work calendar. Also, due to excessive ledge conditions encountered on Morse St., the department was unable to complete this project with the money that was ap- propriated. The Board is asking for an additional $700.00 to finish the installations.
132
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
JOINT ACCOUNT
Although no serious trouble occured at the Pump- ing Station and Filtration Plant this year, the usual order of maintenance and repairs were kept up.
The following was done under the supervision of the Chief Engineer :
1. Lugged the top of No. 1 and No. 2 Boiler
2. Renewed pipe on Soot Blower on No. 1 Boiler
3. Renewed the parts on DeLaval separator
4. Renewed piping to shower room
5. Repaired Garlock packing unit on high and low Pressure cylinders of the Epping-Carpenter Pump.
6. Repaired and reconditioned working parts on No. 2 Dry Chemical feeder machine.
7. Reset check work on No. 1 and No. 2 Boilers The following major repairs under contractor
1. Renewed Soot Blower valves of No. 1 and No. 2 Boilers
2. Renewed impellers in both low lift pumps.
3. Installed new motor on one of the low lift pumps
4. Overhauled Venturi "Loss of Head" meters in the filter room gallery
5. Put in two new fire tubes in No. 2 Boiler
6. Installed new feed water heater and feed water pump in boiler room. In addition, with depart- ment labor, the complete filter room gallery was repainted and filter beds No. 1 and 2 were com- pletely cleaned and recoated.
On December 31, 1955 the system had : 50.6 miles of 14" to 4" mains
416 hydrants
4082 service-active and inactive
Respectfully Submitted,
WILLIAM J. ALMOND, Superintendent
133
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF MARION L. BAILEY COLLECTOR OF WATER TAXES
By Collections Balance of Levy 1951 By Collections Uncollected
$
31.45
$ 7.50
23.95
31.45
Balance of Levy 1952
38.12
17.92
By Collections Uncollected
20.20
38.12
Balance of Levy 1953
1298.51
By Collections
337.77
Water Liens Filed
921.01
Uncollected
39.73
1298.51
Balance of Levy 1954
10,352.70
Additional Levy
148.00
10,500.70
By Collections
8488.91
Water Liens Filed
936.70
By Abatement
39.93
Uncollected
1035.16
10,500.70
Levy of 1955
78,184.52
By Collections
69,115.85
Uncollected
9068.67
-$
TOTAL WATER COLLECTIONS FOR YEAR 1955
Meter Rates
$ 67,135.52
Rental
2,880.00
Fixed
3679.50
78,184.52
134
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
All Other
654.00
Broken Hydrants
332.85
Frozen Meters
35.65
Lien Charges
107.00
Service Charges
2,600.00
Materials Supplied
460.26
Water at Canton
83.17
$ 77,967.95
JOINT ACCOUNT-PAID BY HOLBROOK
Engineers' Salaries
$ 14,600.39
Chemist Salary
596.75
Fayrolls-Labor
108.75
Payrolls-Joint Superintendent
600.00
Joint Superintendent Expense
100.00
Station Upkeep and Expense
69.69
Oil, Waste and Packing
77.52
Joint Chairman Expense
150.00
Chemist Expense
67.66
Hurricane Damage
368.00
Fuel Oil
2,626.28
$ 19,365.04
Deduct Refunds
600.04
$ 18,765.00
JOINT ACCOUNT-PAID BY RANDOLPH
Light and Power
$ 1,718.45
Pipe and Fittings
765.57
Oil Wipers and Packing
631.92
Fuel
8,314.23
Telephone
261.16
Charts
28.89
Chemicals
1,362.05
135
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
Advertising
18.75
Insurance
389.20
Soap
12.67
Tools and Repairs
191.47
Trenching
367.50
Cabinet
40.00
Repairs to Buildings
674.31
Piant Maintenance
226.29
Maintenance of Equipment
935.16
Maintenance of Grounds
135.00
$ 16,072.62
SUMMARY OF JOINT ACCOUNT
Total bills paid by Holbrook $ 18,765.00
Total bills paid by Randolph
16,072.62
34,837.62
One-half to be paid by
Holbrook
17,418.81
One-half to be paid by Randolph
17,418.81
34,837.62
Joint bills paid by Randolph
16,072.62
Paid by Randolph
427.38
Owed by Randolph to Holbrook to balance Joint Account
918.81
17,418.81
Unpaid fuel bill of 1955
One-half to be paid by Holbrook 2,530.29
One-half to be paid by Randolph 2,530.28 -$ 5,060.57
136
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS. RECORD OF PUMPING
To the Water Commissioners
Randolph and Holbrook
The following is the report of pumping for the year of 1955:
Month
Gallons Pumped
Daily Average 1,080,000
Fuel Oil Gallons 18,337
Fuel Oil Daily Average
January
33,500,000
591
February
31,250,000
1,116,000
16,515
590
March
34,252,000
1,105,000
16,530
533
April
34,594,000
1,153,000
16,850
561
May
49,336,000
1,591,000
19,913
642
June
51,825,000
1,727,000
24,199
806
July
63,264,000
2,040,000
30,507
984
August
52,691,000
1,700,000
25,633
827
September
40,655,000
1,355,000
19,702
656
October
36,636,000
1,182,000
14,634
633
November
34,900,000
1,163,000
17,648
589
December
36,926,000
1,191,000
20,039
646
Largest pumping day, July 22
2,863,000 gallons
Largest pumping week, July 17-23 17,745,000 gallons Fuel on hand year ending 1955 :
No. 1 Fuel Tank 4,464 gallons
No. 2 Fuel Tank 5,680 gallons
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM S. SILSON Chief Engineer
137
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WATER ANALYSIS (Parts per Million)
RANDOLPH
Laboratory, Lawrence.
Source A-Great Pond, Raw Water
Source B-Great Pond Outlet of Coagulation Basin
Source C-Great Pond, Final Effluent
A
B
C
Sample No.
407791
407792
407793
Date Collected
3-22-55
3-22-55
3-22-55
Turbidity
3
3
2
Sediment
1
1
1
Color
35
35
Odor-Cold
1 veg.
1 veg.
1 veg.
Susp. Solids-total loss
.036
.036
.024
Total Alb. Ammonia
.148
.196
.136
Kjeldahl Nitrogen
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