USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1878 > Part 14
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In ordinary dwellings supplied with hot water, where the sinks are provided with proper fixed strainers, the grease trap is not a necessity ; but in dwellings occupied by large families, or by two or more families, and in hotels, eating-houses, factories, etc., or where house sewers are laid with only a slight inclination, it is often necessary to use the grease trap. If used it should be placed on the waste pipe from the sink and be properly ventilated, which can be done by means of a conductor from the roof. This would also aid in cleaning the trap, which should be frequently examined, and cleaned when necessary.
WATER-CLOSETS.
Much has been written on this subject, and it is not proposed here to enter into a detailed discussion of the different patterns in use. In this city the hopper closet has given the most trouble, it being at times quite offensive, as the water fails to carry off the fecal matter, which often remains in the trap until the next time
235
the closet is used. The pan closet, when properly ventilated and cared for, has caused only slight annoyance.
The Jennings closet is considered by many experts to be the best now in use, and is strongly recommended by E. S. Philbrick, Civil Engineer, in his paper on house drainage, published in the State Board of Health report for 1876.
The secretary of the Brooklyn, N. Y., Board of Health recom- mends " Pearson's Twin Basin Closet" as being superior to the " Jennings."
All water-closets should have a ventilating pipe from under the seat to the open air, either through the roof or to a chimney flue. They should be placed in well-lighted and thoroughly ventilated rooms.
Many writers claim that it is unsafe to place water-closets or fixed bowls in sleeping-rooms or in adjoining dressing-rooms, but that they should be placed in separate corridors or towers con- structed for the purpose. I think it is unnecessary to place these conveniences so remote that to reach them would be an inconven- ience. With proper arrangements it is perfectly safe to place water- closets in dressing-rooms adjoining sleeping-rooms.
A well-planned house is usually arranged with the bowls, baths, water-closets, etc., on each floor, directly over the same conveni- ences on the floor below. Long lines of nearly level pipes under the floors should be avoided, as the pipes being necessarily small, and the inclination slight, they are liable to clog. This should be avoided, not only for sanitary reasons, but on account of liability to accident from the bursting of pipes through freezing or other- wise, which often causes serious damage to the ceilings of the rooms below. If the plumbing is directly over that on the floor below, and the water, waste and soil pipes are carried up in closets, the damage by leaks will be confined to a small part of the house.
VENTILATION.
A very important part of a thorough system of house drainage is the ventilation, which is neglected in nearly every house in this city. Traps are not sufficient to prevent the sewer gases from en- tering the dwelling, for the following reasons, viz. :
1st They are liable to be forced by the backing up of the water in the sewer in case of high tides or a heavy storm ;
2d. The water is liable to be siphoned from a trap by a rush of water down the soil pipe ;
.
236
3d. The discharge of a large quantity of hot water into the house sewer expands the air, which seeks a vent though the weak- est trap. It has also been proved that the gases will pass through the water in the trap.
The only practicable method that has yet been devised for venti- lating public sewers in this country is by perforated man-hole covers. This system is in use in only a small portion of our city, and is not effective during the winter months, when the streets are covered with snow and ice ; and as the street catch-basins are all trapped, it will be seen that in case the sewers are filled with water the only vent is through the house sewers, which, if not ventilated, will conduct the gas to the dwellings.
The soil pipe should be carried to a point above the roof, and . left open.
The rain-water conductor from the roof should enter the house sewer on the house side of the trap, and should itself be trapped when its upper end is near a window or lower than adjoining buildings.
Traps and water-closets should be ventilated, and provision should be made for a current of fresh air from the surface of the ground into the house sewer.
For a sketch of the general arrangement see Plate I.
WORKMANSHIP.
It is quite difficult to find workmen who are competent to arrange and construct an efficient system of house drainage. The work being mainly out of sight and not easily inspected, mistakes and poor workmanship can be easily covered up, and therefore great care should be taken to select competent and faithful mechanics, who should be paid a fair price for their labor, and every induce- ment should be given them to perform the work in the best possible manner.
Most of the work of this kind is performed by men who take it by the job, and aim to make it pay, rather than to furnish a piece of first-class work.
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
To his Honor the Mayor and City Council :
GENTLEMEN, - I have the honor to present herewith the following report of this office for the year ending Dec. 31, 1878.
Scarlet fever and diphtheria have prevailed epidemically. There have been reported during the year, 108 cases of scarlet fever, 15 of which proved fatal, and 70 cases of diphtheria, 21 of which died.
I have, during the year, made 1,600 professional visits, 200 of which were office visits, 1,411 medical, and 189 surgical.
The following table shows the names of the diseases treated and the number of visits made during each month.
DISEASES.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
| June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Abscess
1
3
5
. ·
.
3
1
. ·
.
.
13
Accident
14
11
13
8
13
6
5
3
18
16
4
18
129
Asthma
.
2
F
1
5
6
Aphonia
18
50
40
34
25
6
13
3
2
7
14
87
299
Cholera Morbus
1
.
1
1
11
27
1
13
1
66
Croup, spasmodic
2
2
1
1
.
.
.
.
·
.
44
Diarrhea
3
2
7
5
3
29
19
7
16
2
100
Dvspepsia
2
6
1
1
1
.
3
3
1
1
19
Diphtheria
1
14
13
3
4
10
9
54
Discare of Heart
1
1
5
·
4
3
1
13
Erythema
3
1
4
Ecz-ma
1
4
kpi-taxis (bleeding at the nose)
3
1
6
Epididymitis
3
1
.
1
2
7
Erysipelas
4
3
1
6
23
Febricula
2
6
6
3
·2
1
1
3
1
32
Frost Bite
1
1
2
Fracture of Femur
1
1
2
Fracture of Clavicle
4
7
1
2
14
Fracture of Elbow
5
Ga-tralgii
8
11
11
8
4
28
6
9
4
7
26
8
130
.
.
.
·
3
3
2
2
11
Phthisis(consumption of lung;)
4
7
Convulsions
12
Cancer
1
Cholera Infantum
8
9
19
8
1
2
Delirium Tremens
3
2
3
9
Dislocation of Elbow
5
Dysentery
1
2
10
Epilepsy .
1
1
1
1
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
1
1
.
.
.
2
General Debi'ity
.
3
Apoplexy
.
.
.
1
1
Bro chiti-
.
.
2
. .
4
.
·
1
5
·
4
9
.
5
.
·
.
238
TABLE, - continued.
DISEASES.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Hæmoptysis (hæmorrhage from
the lungs)
9
10
4
27
Hysteria ·
5
1
2
2
Herpes Zoster (shingles)
2
2.
Housemaid's Knee
1
1
Hernia Inguinal
1
1
1
1
Influenza
1
3
1
5
Ileus .
1
1
12
4
2
1
2
22
Lumbago
1
3
2
Mastitis
Meningitis
1
2 20
9
14
1
12
6
4
79
Otorrhœa
1
2
42
13
10
13
22
14
121
Pertussis (whooping cough)
3
1
·
. ·
6
1
1
·
5
Pharyngitis
7
10
1
9
1
2
1
25
Rubcola (measles)
12
75
17
1
9
4
43
Selerotitis
3
1
Stillborn
1
1
Suicide .
1
Scrofula
1
1
1
3
Scabies
1
·
.
.
1
11
Tonsilitis .
1
1
2
1
3
1
2
2
2
16
Urticaria
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
Total
99
144
166
167
139
156
132
87
99
115
134
162 1600
The following deaths have occurred, viz. : -
Feb. 10. Thomas McCormick. Age, 8 mo's . . Capillary Bronchitis.
66 25. George H. Hoar. 66 5 yr's .. Atrophy and Debility.
March 13. Alexander Austedd. 66
4 " .. Diphtheria.
17. Mrs. Julia Mahoney 66
18. Rosalea Austedd .
6
66 .. Diphtheria. .
April 24. Mrs. Louisa Winlo 66 27 .. Typhoid Pneumonia.
May 1. Mary Ann Duncan 66 37 66 . . Alcoholism.
3. Philip Hardenburg 66
65
66 .. Nephria.
July 3. Julia Cochran 66
80
.. Old Age.
27. Lewis F. Jackson 66 9 mo's. . Cholera Infantum.
Aug.
1. Ellen Kelley . 66 yr's. . Tertiary Syphilis.
9. Mrs. Margaret Sullivan. 66 37 " .. Phthisis.
.
·
.
·
.
2
1
6
Obstetrics
6
3
Pneumonia
5
2
Pleuritis
1
1
·
1
.
6
1
8
Rheumatism Acute Articula
.
1
1
2
S .arlet Fever
10
1
.
Neuralgia
1
.
.
. .
2
1
5
Peritonitis
6
Retention of Urine
104
Parotitis (mumps)
.
4
6
Insanity
1
1
7
1
2
3
7
7
Necrosis of Tibia
1
12
4
1
1
Stomatitis
1
Tertiary Syphilis
10
1
Varicella (chicken-pox)
4
4
1
18
2
Hip Disease
12
35 66 .. Dysentery.
1.
239
Aug. 12. Dennis Bowen
Age, 4 yr's . . Convulsions.
66
16. Caroline D. Alfred
66
1 .. Diarrhoea. 66
26. John Griffin.
45 " .. Cirrhosis of Liver.
66 29. Margret McDonald 10 mo's .. Cholera Infantum.
Oct. 20. Margaret A. Connily 4 . .. Diphtheria.
Nov. 3. Annie Fitzharris
3 66 .. Scarlet Fever.
66
2. James Sexton
1 hour .. Congenital Syphilis.
66
9. Aaron S. Long.
65 yr's .. Pneumonia.
66
29. William V. Jones 66
8 .. Lencocythemia.
Dec. 23. Dennis Cushing 66
2
.. Pneumonia.
66 21. William Donney
68
.. Phthisis.
I have seen also during the year fifteen bodies of persons who have died without a physician in attendance during their last illness.
Respectfully submitted.
EMORY L. WHITE,
City Physician.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
CHARLES W. SAWYER, Chairman. EMORY L. WHITE, M. D. GEORGE A. KIMBALL.
CLERK. GEORGE I. VINCENT.
INSPECTOR. WILLIAM H. BRINE, Houghton Street.
16
INDEX.
PAGE
Act of Legislature
191
Alewife Brook
199
Appointment. .
193
Ashes
208
Dangerous Diseases.
201
66 Notice
201
Diphtheria
207
Districts
214
Expenses
227
Goats
210
Grease
210
House Drainage, Paper on, by Geo. A. Kimball, City Engineer and Member Board of Health.
229
House Offal
208 Licenses
209
Map
220
Meetings
228
Mortality Statistics
210
Night Soil
209
Nuisances
193
Offensive Trades
199
Organization
193
Privies
196
Rendering
199
66 Regulation
199
Scarlet Fever
203
66
Order 203
66
66 Suggestions 204
Sewers . 211
Slaughtering 200
Stables 198
Stagnant Water 197
Swine
200
208
TABLES.
Diphtheria in 1878, Inspector's Report. 203a
Mortality in Somerville in 1878
211
66 Rates of, in Districts, 1874 to 1878. . 221
66 66 Massachusetts cities in 1876 213
66
66 Principal Cities of the United States, 1876 214
66 Somerville and Adjoining C ties and Towns, 18:2 to . 8.8, 213
Nuisances Abated 194
66
66 in Districts 225
Principal Causes of Death, in Districts, in 1878 224
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever, 1878 .. 202
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever, Deaths, in 1877 202 Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever, in Districts, in 1878. 224
Sewers in Somerville 223
Typhoid Fever
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
17
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Dec. 31, 1878.
Accepted : referred to next City Government, to be printed in Annual Reports for 1878. Sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Dec. 31, 1878. . DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To the Mayor and City Council :
The Committee on Fire Department respectfully submit the fol- lowing final report for the year 1878.
The appropriation for the support of the department the present year was $20,800.
This committee has expended during the year · $19,966
There is due for gas used during this last quarter, the bills for which have not been presented, by esti- mate 247
Making the total cost of the department for the year $20,213 In addition to the above, we have approved bills con- tracted by the Committee on Fire Department, for 1877, and left by them unsettled, amounting to $1,172
Making a total of
$21,385
Being an excess of $585 above the appropriation for the present year.
The apparatus of the department is in good condition, and the several companies well organized and effective.
An extra expense of $699.50 attended the services of the depart- ment at the burning of C. H. North & Co.'s packing house, in June, and by direction of the Board of Health, manure pits were constructed at two of the hose houses at an expense of $100.
The committee believe the department is judiciously and prudently managed, and in an effective condition.
J. A. CUMMINGS,
Chairman.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK.
ANNUAL report of the City Clerk of the receipts of his office for the year ending Dec. 31, 1878, also the registration of marriages, births, and deaths for the period ending Dec. 31, 1878.
RECEIPTS ENDING DEC. 31, 1878.
For recording mortgages and assignments,
$159 75
liquor licenses,
37 00
licensing goats,
48 00
66
old junk dealers,
76 00
66
66 swine,
236 00
66
66
dogs,
95 80
66
auctioneers' licenses,
14 00
66
collection of grease,
36 00
marriage certificates,
86 50
$789 05
All of which has been paid to the City Treasurer and his receipt taken for the same.
MARRIAGES.
Number of intentions issued in 1878, 173
Less than last year,
13
Marriages registered,
170
NATIONALITY OF THOSE REGISTERED.
Both parties American, 93
Both parties foreign, 38
American groom and foreign bride,
14
Foreign groom and American bride,
22
Unknown,
3
170 couples.
250
First marriage of
283 persons
Second "
48
66
Third 66
4
66
1
66
Fourth 66 Unknown,
4
66
340
=170 couples.
Oldest person married
Youngest person married
Number of births registered in 1878,
Less than last year, 92.
Males, 264. Females, 283.
Number of cases of twins, 5.
240
Born of foreign parents,
205
American male and foreign female,
37
Foreign male and American female,
55
Unknown,
10
547
DEATHS.
Number of deaths in Somerville in 1878, Less than last year,
384
59
Ages.
Males. 100
Females.
Totals.
Under 10 years,
Between 10 and 20,
66
20 “
30,
15
15
30
66
80
40,
8
30
38
66
40 66 50,
11
13
24
66
50
60,
12
10
22
66
60 66 70,
14
6
20
66
70
80,
11
13
24
66
80
66 90,
5
13
18
90 " 100,
1
2
2
Over one hundred,
180
204
384
Oldest person deceased, female, 100 years and 3 months.
94
191
3
8
11
Born of American parents,
62 years of age. 15 “ 66
547
251
NATIONALITY.
Born in Somerville,
176
Other places in United States, Of foreign birth, Unknown,
143
63
2
384
The number of deaths returned by the undertakers was 384, and occurred as follows : -
January,
22
July, 33
February,
34
August,
42
March,
33
September,
32
April,
27
October,
37
May,
25
November,
32
June,
23
December,
44
- 384
Attest :
CHARLES E. GILMAN,
City Clerk.
CITY GOVERNMENT FOR 1879.
MAYOR. GEORGE A. BRUCE. Residence, Highland Avenue ; Office, City Hall.
ALDERMEN. JOHN F. COLE, President. WARD ONE.
JOHN F. COLE
OLIVER J. DAVIS
WARD TWO.
SEWARD DODGE
A. R. COOLIDGE
WARD THREE.
S. M. PENNOCK
J. J. UNDERHILL
Sycamore Street. Gilman Street.
WARD FOUR.
S. H. LIBBY .
Elm Street.
ASA DURGIN
Broadway.
COMMON COUNCIL. EDWARD GLINES, President. WARD ONE.
AMOS NICKERSON
Flint Street.
M. B. COLE .
.
E. C. CLARK .
+
W. F. GRIFFIN
WARD TWO.
A. B. GOOKIN
.
Grand View Avenue.
CALEB A. PAGE
Newton Street.
JOHN E. HILL
EBEN JACKSON
.
Pinckney Street. Ellsworth Street. Broadway.
Putnam Street. Washington Street.
.
Perkins Street. Pearl Street.
Union Square. Columbus Avenue.
254
WARD THREE.
EDWARD GLINES
Temple Street.
R. M. BALDWIN
Albion Street.
SYLVESTER RICHARDS
Bonair Street.
J. L. NORCROSS
Marshall Street.
WARD FOUR.
T. M. BRADY
Beacon Street.
J. W. BAILEY .
·
Appleton Street.
J. A. CHABOT
Park Street.
F. A. BRIDGIIAM
Cedar Street.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR 1879.
ACCOUNTS. - Aldermen Davis, Underhill ; Councilmen Cole, Jackson, and Bailey.
BURIAL-GROUNDS. - Aldermen Durgin, Coolidge ; Councilmen, Bridgham, Nickerson, and Richards.
CLAIMS. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; President of the Common Council, ex officio; Alderman Dodge ; Councilmen Grif- fin and Bridgham.
FINANCE. - His Honor the Mayor, ex officio; President of the Common Council, ex officio; Aldermen Davis, Libby ; Councilmen Baldwin, Cole, Hill, and Chabot.
FUEL AND LIGHTS. - Aldermen Underhill and Dodge; Council- men Nickerson, Brady, and Norcross.
FIRE DEPARTMENT. - Aldermen Pennock and Cole ; Councilmen Brady, Norcross, and Page.
HIGHWAYS. - Aldermen Cole and Durgin ; Councilmen Gookin, Clark, and Baldwin.
REVISING WATER CONTRACT. - Aldermen Cole and Pennock ; Councilmen Cole, Brady, and Hill.
ORDINANCES. - Aldermen Libby and Cole ; Councilmen Chabot, Jackson, and Griffin.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. - Aldermen Libby and Dodge; Councilmen Clark, Richards, and Page.
PRINTING. - Alderman Cole ; Councilmen Jackson and Cole.
STATE AID AND SOLDIERS' RELIEF. - Aldermen Dodge and Underhill ; Councilmen Hill, Griffin, and Bailey.
WATER. - Aldermen Underhill and Coolidge ; President of the Common Council, ex officio; Councilmen Chabot and Nickerson.
352 S69 1878
C2 REF
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