USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1886 > Part 11
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8
2
4
Sand Gravel
. .
Fair =
Drainage defective . Waste-pipe not trapped House drainage defective
Dam
10
14
2
.
7
Good
Satisfactory
Dry
Water-closet in cellar defective
15 16 17
Male .
21 mos.
18
22
=
1
Low Good .
Waste-pipes not trapped
Dry,
Da
amp
.
.
.
Brakeman
.
Lather
28
.
Canadian American
Laborer Produce
30
66
16
=
31
=
5
Clayey gravel, Gravel . Clayey gravel,
2
Fatal
Nova Scotia . American
Carpenter Superintendent Engineer
35
.
.
36
3
5
2 10
.
32 33 34 35 3G
-
.
45
.
.
46
1
Good Fair Good Fair
Damp
.
Carpenter
.
43
9
June
Fatal Fatai
9
Fair Good . Fair
.
.
Drainage flowing on surface Drainage defective .
N pt any ; basement rooms
33 34
.
Female, Male
9
Fatal
6 299 7
.
16 17 18
Merchant
21
=
32
March 44
54
.
.
24 25 26 27
Female, Male Female, .
Insurance Agent ·
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
11
12 13 14 15
Irish American
Laborer Professor
7
8
10
=
.
8
9
Female, =
16
10
=
Satisfactory
.
.
Drainage defective .
4
Salesman Professor
Number of
Patient.
DIPHTHERIA IN 1886. - INSPECTOR'E
REPORT.
District.
1
Visited house where they had a case of diphtheria. Waste-pipes not trapped.
ventilated.
.
12
.
.
.
D amp
D
Machinist Moulder
2
Dry
10 feet from house; offensive
Fatal
202B
DIPHTHERIA IN 1886. - INSPECTOR'S REPORT. - Continued.
Number of Family.
Nationality.
Occupation of Head of Family.
Patient.
Bex of Patient.
Age of Patient.
Date of sickness.
Resuit.
Soil.
Locality.
House Drainage.
Condition of Celiar.
Privy.
Remarks.
40 41 4 : 43
American
Driver
52
·
.
Machinist
53
Cooper .
54
6
5
Clayey gravel, Gravel =
=
Damp
Clerk
57
6
July
4
10
Sand Gravel
Good
Dry
Water-closet in cellar defective 8 feet from house ; full and offensive,
Drainage not ventilated. Waste-pipe not trapped.
House drainage not ventilated. Waste-pipe not trapped. Outlet of soil-pipe below chamber-windows. House drainage defective. Stable adjoining house; offensive.
House drainage defective. . . 66 House drainage ventilated. House drainage not ventilated. . Waste-pipe not trapped. House drainage ventilated. 66 .
House drainage not ventilated. House drainage ventilated.
Cesspool 4 feet from house. "
66
.
.
67
Tinsmith
82
7
2
December
68 69
Teamster Printer .
Waste-pipe not trapped. House drainage uot ventilated.
70
Irish
Laborer
86
87
Male
3
Fatal
5
Fair =
Drainage defective . =
Damp
20 feet from house ; offensive
72 73
American
89
Female, =
20
1
Fair
Drainage defective .
Damp
12 feet from house; full and offensive,
Waste-pipe defective. Waste-pipes not properly trapped. Waste-pipe not trapped. Waste-pipe not prop. trapped ; house drain. not ven. House drainage not ventilated.
46 47
.
Engineer .
58
Female,
8
59
.
.
.
Laborer .
63
Female,
7
1
Gravel =
Fair
Drainage defective .
Damp
Painter .
.
.
.
.
.
.
+
.
.
.
.
70
11
9
Satisfactory
Italian American . .
Salesman
73
Female,
10 10
10
Good
Engineer
74 75 76
Male Female,
A
Fatal.
62 63
=
Agent
.
Merchant
77
Male
7
Fatai
2
Fair
Drainage defective .
Damp
10 feet from house; offensive
65
.
Salesman Bookkeeper
79 80 81
Female,
3 G December November
Fat
Good
Dry
Water-closet in cellar defective
Male .
3
9
Sand
66
83
84
3
64
Fai.
Gravel
7
.
.
71
.
88
6
G
.
.
2
Gravel .
Good Fair
Drainage defective .
Dry . Damp
8 feet from house ; offensive Water-closet defective and offensive,
44 45
.
Painter .
56
Male
6
.
.
60 61
Male .
4
Fatal.
Clayey gravel,
Fair
66
Sewage flowing into cellar
Irish American
Merchant Letter carrier
Female,
3
62
Male .
7
5
Dry
Water-closet in cellar defective 20 feet from house ; full and offensive,
Irish American
Teamster
66
12
August
6
Clay
Gravel
"
Damp
Irish American
Grocer
71
Female,
5
Fatal
1
Fair
Drainage defective
Damp
60 61
Pedler .
Male
8
October
November
9
Drainage defective .
Waste-pipe not trapped
64
.
*
78
8
.
.
.
64 65
67
26
68
15
September
Fatal
1
Clayey gravel, Gravel
16
.
.
Salesman
69
Female, Male
13
3
Low Fair Good
Damp Sewage flowing into cellar
4 feet from house; offensive Water-closet in cellar defective
.
Salesman
Carpenter
.
Laborer .
72
.
.
.
.
Barber .
Male Female,
4
July. June
11
14
.
Butcher .
55
6
1
.
.
.
=
=
.
Painter . .
12
66
1
.
Good
Dry .
Salesman
5
64
Drainage defective .
.
Low Fair
..
.
Dry .
Drainage defective .
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59
.
Salesman Fruit & confectioner 90 .
.
=
Good
=
Fair Good
Damp
85
Female, Male Female, =
6
5
46
House drainage ventilated. House drainage on surface.
51
.
Number of
Distriet.
=
1
Male
.
9
House drainage not ventilated.
203
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
DISTRICTS.
Our map of the city, with its health districts (explained in earlier reports), and the locations of dangerous diseases reported in 1886, is presented as usual. We also give various tabulated statements as to sanitary conditions, sickness, and death in these districts.
Our estimate of the population is based upon the presumption that the census population of 1885, as divided among the different. health districts, would correspond with the distribution of poll-tax payers in those districts, and that the increase for the year was uniform.
TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST THIRTEEN YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF DEATHS IN THE MCLEAN ASYLUM. .
Districts .
.
H
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Entire City.
Area
337 A.
107 A.
93 A.
171 A.
361 A.
285 A.
194 A.
482 A.
174 A.
456 A.
2,660 A.
Population
5,784
5,644
2,188
3,882
6,067
1,340
3,315
986
1,763
777
31,746
Dwellings
894
832
350
614
999
312
546
196
335
167
5,245
Average in each dwelling,
6.5
6.8
6.2
6.3
6.1
4.3
6.1
5.0
5.3
4.7
6.1
No. of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Rate
Per 1,000.
No. of
Rate
Per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Per 1,000.
No. of
Deaths.
Rate
Per 1,000.
Deaths.
Per 1,000.
Deaths.
Rate
No. of
Deaths.
Rate
Per 1,000.
1874
147
37
53
14
24
16
86
33
67
16
34
.37
26
11
17
25
18
15
3
00
475
22
1875 .
149
37
84
22
26
17
56
21
75
18
29
32
32
14
13
19
15
12
1
15
486
22
1876 .
113
30
62
17
17
12
62
24
78
20
23
26
25
12
11
17
25
22
10
20
426
21
1877 .
126
32
57
15
18
12
57
22
61
15
31
34
29
13
12
18
32
27
5
10
428
20
1878
92
22
50
12
32
21
53
19
53
12
24
25
32
14
15
21
17
14
7
13
375
17
1879 .
92
21
50
12
29
00
62
22
77
17
14
14
22
00
14
19
16
12
9
16
385
16
1880
104
23
56
13
34
20
55
18
70
15
30
28
32
12
19
24
12
10
11
18
423
17
1881 .
111
23
64
14
41
23
48
15
62
12
36
32
38
14
18
22
19
13
8
12
445
17
1882 .
119
24
57
12
42
22
58
17
72
14
32
27
43
15
11
13
17
11
13
19
464
17
1883
138
26
59
12
49
25
60
17
76
14
40
33
51
17
17
19
28
18
13
527
18
1884 .
148
27
55
10
42
20
52
14
12
32
25
35
11
14
15
27
16
11
482
16
1885 .
152
28
56
11
40
19
72
20
78
14
31
24
53
17
13
14
25
15
15
531
18
1886 .
115
20
51
9
38
17
59
15
85
14
37
28
44
13
11
11
20
11
19
24
479
15
Thirteen years,
1,606
27
754
13
432
19
780
19
923
15
393
28
462
13
185
18
271
15
120
15
5,926
18
.
In 1886.
·
YEAR.
Rate
No. of
Rate
No. of
Per 1,000.
Rate
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
Rate
.
186
69
.
MAP OF
SOMERVILLE.
VIII
AVE
MYSTIC
LINE
1886.
SCALE.
DOND
KAAETERN
SHOWING HEALTH DISTRICTS.
1886.
MAIN
FLEXVY
D
D
E
F
O
M
ANISTONT
ESYNUS
9
LINWOOD
.
6.
HINCKLEY ST.
KOWELL ST.
CARTRIDGE AV.
JENNY LIND AV
7
HIGHLAND
PINAL
SCHOOL
DIISAN
WILLOW
CENTRAL
QUINCY ST.
LAUREL
GRANITE
X
BADADWAY.
IX
HIGHLAND
CHERRY
LAME.
JUNHER
AVI.
Servers shown thus:
G
AVE.
BEACON
ICHS
UNE."
O
C
M
B
R
I
D
E
BROADWAY"
BOSTON & MAINE
R. R.
JAQUES
WHEATLAND
PARK.
BROADWAY-
AVE.
MAKINA
UNCK
LORE
NON
CHOSE
HEATH
MEENT
ROMAIN
WAST
VI
PEARL
HOME
QUEDAN AV.
TUFTS 47
MEDEDAD
THURSTON
MAPLE
TORSTEN
ASILUN
R
& LOWELL
COLLEOR AYLA
ELM
SEDAN
VI
OXFORD
SVON ST
ENSI
SITY
SUMMEN
=
NAWKINS
CLARK
ALEWIRE
DANE
III
TUTENS
BROOK.
CLARENDON
NEWAURY
CAMERON
DAWS
ELN
LELAND
PORTER
HOLLAND
ARLINGTON
RAILROAD.
NOJDNINGYM
ARLIN
LINGTON
LINE.
CURTIS
HAMWICK ST
BERKLEY
KAMAZSAKI
NYETIC STIAN PUNE
Tufts College
ALLABANT
BOSTON
MILLERS DIMES
COLUNAUS
ALGERSEY
APPLETONET
RAILROAD.
MAILRE
TENNYS ON JT
WALNUT
WP
SCHOOL
BROADWAY
DERBY 57.
GRANT
CHAUNCEY
MINTHADI
PARKER
0
MILL POND,
MAIN
AVE.
BOSTAN
CIT
INÉ
C
S
EASTERN
HALDEN BRIDGE
RIVER
EAST CAMBRIDGE
URG
AVE.
BOSTON
VER
205
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMERVILLE IN 1886, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.
CONSUMP- TION.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
CHOLERA INFANTUM.
BRIGHT'S DISEASE.
DISTRICTS.
No. of
Deaths.
No. per
No. of
Deaths.
No. per
1,000 f pop
No. of
Deaths.
No. per
No. of
Deaths.
No. per
1,000 of pop.
No. of
Deaths.
No. per
1,000 of pop.
I.
24
4.15
9
1.56
1.38
10
1.73
0.69
II.
9
1.59
1
0.18
0.71
1
0.18
0.18
III.
6
2.74
4
1.83
0.91
1
0.46
0.91
IV.
18
4.64
5
1,29
1.03
6
1.55
H
1.03
V.
061
6.72
2
1.49
2.99
4
2.99
1
0.75
VII.
3.02
5
1.51
0.60
1
0.30
3
0.90
VIII.
. .
2.27
?
1.70
1.13
1
0.57
1.13
X.
2
2.57
. .
. .
1
1.29
. .
..
2
2.57
Total
93
2.93
39
1.23
33
1.04
26
0.82
26
0.82
TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1886.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Cases
reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of pop.
Deaths per.
1,000 of pop.
reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of pop.
Deaths per
1,000 of pop.
reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of pop.
Deaths per
1,000 of pop.
I.
13
2.25
15
3
2.59
0.52
1
0.86
0.17
II.
10
H.
5.03
0.46
1
1
0 46
0 46
IV.
17
1
4.38
0.26
3
1
0.77
0.26
3
1
0.77
0.26
V.
21
3.46
29
10
4.78
1.65
2
. .
0.33
. .
VI. .
4
1
2.99
0.75
2
1.49
. .
.
.
. .
..
VII.
18
. .
. .
14
1
4.22
0.30
10
1
0.60
0.30
VIII.
1
·
. .
·
.
..
. .
IX.
11
. .
. .
-1
1
3.97
0.57
co
. .
1.70
X.
4
. .
5.15
00
1
10.30
1.29
. .
.
. .
..
Total .
110
co
3.47
0.09
91
20
2.87
0.63
20
co
0.63
0.09
1
1.01
.
. .
1
1.01
2
2.03
IX.
1
1.81
9
1.48
0.99
1
0.16
5
0.82
VI.
11
.
1.77
. .
12
2
2.12
0.35
0.89
..
III.
..
.
.
. .
5.43
1.01
6.24
Cases
Cases
NHA
6191218
1,000 of pop.
1,000 of pop.
RATES PER THOUSAND OF POPULATION OF CASES OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED, AND OF DEATHS FROM THE SAME, IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
1880.
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
Average for Seven Years.
DISTRICTS.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Scarlet Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
„Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
I.
( Cases . Deaths,
1.10
2.42 0.88
3.08 0.44
8.75 3.54
9.58 0.42
7.17 2.79
2.39 ..
1.91 0.38
3.25 0.57
4.98 0.96
11.35 0.55
5.76 1.26
1.26 0.18
5.67 0.37
5.12 2.20
1.83 0 55
2 59 0.52
0.86 0.17
3.49 0.19
4.95 1.65
3.30 0.38
II.
( Cases . ¿ Deaths,
1,35
6.08 0.68
0.90 0.45
2 35
4.27 0.62
0.42 0.21
2.04 0.20
0.80 0.40
0 20
0.98
..
. .
1.11 0.37
1.66 0.19
0.19
1.50 0.41
1.50 0.19
2.12 0.35
2.03 0.08
0.51
0.20
III.
S Cases ( Deaths,
0.58
8.72
0.58
1.65
2.75
3.69
7.90
0.53 0.53
3.04
6.58
1.01
10.90 0,95
4.76 0.48
8.70 0 97
1.45 0.48
5.03 0.46
0.46 0.46
5.01 0.44
1.67
0.15
TV.
§ Cases . ¿ Deaths,
1.64
2.29
2.29
0.62
6.83 1.86
2.48 0 93
1.78 0.59
3.56 0.59
1.78 0.30
5.42 0.29
1 71 0.57
2 15 0.27
0.54 0.54
9.54 0.55
1.64 1.09
1.36 0.82
4.38 0.26
0.77 0.26
0.77 0.26
4.05 0.20
3.15 0.66
0.49
V.
Cases . ¿ Deaths,
2.93 0.63
3.77 1.05
1.26 0.21
1.98 0.40
1.90 0.38
8.54 2.28
0.95 0.19
2.74
7.67 1.46
1.64 0.73
2.58
3.43 0.52
1 20 0.34
6.98 0.17
2.97 0.17
0.17 0.17
..
. .
3.14 0.16
4.74 1.07
0.24
VI.
[ Cases . ¿ Deaths,
0.95
5.69
0.95
8.09 2.70
. .
1.72
16.32 7.73
0.86 . .
13.22
6.61 1.65
3.31 0.83
26.44 1.56
. 12.44 4.67
10.27
16.59
0).79 . .
2.99 0.75
. .
. .
8,30 0.59
9.60 3.08
0.12
VII.
S Cases . ( Deaths,
1.53 0.38
5.36 0.38
1.15 0.77
6.18 0.73
0.36 0.36
1.39
7.30 2.08
3.68 0.67
5.34 1.67
0.33
10.06
0.63
7.34
3.51 1.28
1.60 0.64
..
4.22 0.30
0.60 0.30
4.51 0.38
4.94
0.72
VIII.
5 Cases . { Deaths,
1.29
3.86
1.29
13.41 3.66
2.44
10.50
3.37
7.86
.
17.95 1.06
3.17
7.51
7.51
1.01
. . .
·
4.67
6.44
2.25
IX.
§ Cases . Deaths,
2.88
2.16
0.72
1.37
1.37
1.31
2.51
6.28 2.51
0.63 0.63
7.09
3.55
22 81
3.60
1.20
6.24
3.97 0.57
1.70
5.59
3.15
0.99
X.
S Cases . ¿ Deaths,
3.27
6.55
1.64
4.65 1.55
1.55
7.42
4.45
2.85
. .
.
1.34
4.09
2.72
5.15
10.30 1.29
. .
5.32
4.71 0.41
4.52
1.46
City,
Cases . Deaths,
1.72 0.24
4.32 0.76
1.56 0.28
0.95 0.04
5.88 1.71
2.69 0.30
1.42 0.15
6.24 1.89
1.38 0.29
0.21
5.44 1.08
1.88 0.45
8.21 0.26
3.64 0.69
1.18 0.26
0.47
3.67 0.93
1.37 0.37
3.47 0.09
2.87 0.63
0.63 · 0.09
0.21
1.08
0.32
..
.
. .
..
3.53
4.32
0.98
2.40
2.63
1.77
0.89
2.96
0.81
..
0.58
1.74
..
11.01 4.55
0.55
..
3.16
1.52
. .
..
.
.
1.51
..
0.33
.
.
0.99
0.79
..
. .
..
. .
. .
..
..
..
1.60
2.11 1.06
. .
..
..
0.16
0.64
0 81
. .
0.65
. .
..
..
.
..
.
. .
..
. .
.
0.54
2.05
..
..
..
.
..
. .
. .
.
..
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
0.20
0.61
..
..
. .
. .
0.69
..
. .
..
. .
1.17
3.50 1.17
.
.
.
. .
..
3 16
3.46
4.78 1.65
0.33
0.89
0.83
0.95
1.90
. .
0.73
.
. .
. .
..
.
Fever.
Fever.
Fever.
Typhoid
Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid
Fever.
Fever.
Fever.
Fever.
.
2.25
. .
206
ANNUAL REPORTS.
5.59
1.02
0.29
8 86
..
. .
..
..
0.83
0.35
0.96
0.29
..
6.44 1.07
5.43
1.49
..
.
0.36
. .
2.93
7.42 2.96
10.74
1.18 0.59
3.14 0 31
1.91
0.48
9.55 1.36
7.54
3.84
1.00
0.21
207
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1886.
DISTRICT.
I.
II. 5,644
III.
IV.
V.
VI. 1,340
VII. 3,315
986
1,763
|31,746
Cellar damp
13
7
4
2
14
2
3
2
..
.
47
Cesspool defective
66
offensive .
. .
. .
..
. .
2
3
1
1
4
12
Connections of drainage pipes defective
10
1
5
1
16
6
5
46
Drainage defective
16
3
5
3
15
1
1
1
.
1
1
14
66
emptying on surface, not ventilated
4
6
3
3
31
1
5
1
2
5
61
Drain-pipe clogged 66
8
1
2
2
11
2
1
1
3
31
Gas pipes leaking
. .
..
.
. .
. .
. .
.
.
..
..
3
Manure exposed and offensive,
9
1
3
3
4
1
2
2
2
3
Offal on land ..
8
1
2
. .
.
1
1
.
Offensive odor from burning
1
. .
. .
. .
. .
3 2 :32
2
1
1
45
1
..
..
. .
2
.
3
3
2
1
20
1
1
. .
1
8
3
8
1
2
. .
4
59
22
6
11
18
13
9
4
8
5
2
98
4
1
·
2
. .
. .
.
2
1
1
11
Stagnant water in house-cellar,
3
2
1
1
1
5
.
3
1
..
. .
14
6
not trapped
23
16
4
6
52
2
15
5
5
7
135
Water-closet defective
. .
.
..
6
1
4
1
.
4
18
plied with water,
4
6
2 2
. .
8
1
4
.
2
4
31
not supplied with water offensive .
8
2
4
1
15
. .
8
1
1
3
13
Wooden drains
waste pipes and
3
1
. .
1
..
1
. .
1
. .
7
Total
202
64
55
64
225
40
80
46
39
52
867
66
emptying in cellar .
2
3
1
2
1
2
1
2
3
overflowing
. .
. .
·
. .
1
2
9
66
·
. .
.
3
3
Hennery offensive .
2
1
. .
. .
..
15
2
Premises filthy
9
. .
. .
. .
1
.
1
1
..
6
Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive . .
3
1
7
3
3
1
1
3
.
. .
11
. .
1
3
1
..
2
2
12
Waste pipe defective .
insufficiently sup-
1
·
.
.
.
1
. .
2
Offensive odor in and about dwellings
11
4
4
·2
..
1
.
2
. .
..
. .
1
No house-drainage facilities . 1
2
. .
13
1
Privy-vault defective
66
·full offensive
28
4
1
. .
1
1
. .
01 : 5
3
2
61
1
| rubbish .
.
1
6
Slops thrown on surface
on surface
-
VIII.
IX. X. Total.
Population
5,784
2,188
3,882 6,067
2
3
1
2
3
Hens kept in cellar
Opening in drain-pipe in cellar,
2
1
2
66
defective
. .
208
ANNUAL REPORTS.
APPPRORIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND EXPENDI- TURES THEREFROM, 1886.
Appropriation $3,500 00
Receipts for permits to keep swine and goats
and to collect grease 303 00
Total credit
. $3,803 00
Expenditures : -
For inspector's salary . $1,000 00
" collecting ashes (including Decem- ber, 1885) . . 1,883 33
" collecting offal (for 6 months) . 450 00
" fumigating (sulphur) 6 64
" oil of peppermint
18 00
" vaccine virus .
14 50
" burying dead animals
64 50
" abating nuisances .
82 32
" books, stationery, and printing
53 85
" serving notices in other cities .
1 50
" carriage hire .
9 00
" rent of post-office box
5 00
Total debit
.
3,588 64
Balance unexpended .
. . $214 36
GEORGE A. KIMBALL. GEO. C. SKILTON. THOS. M. DURELL, M. D.
209
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
INDEX
TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
PAGE
Ashes
197
Dangerous diseases
Death-rate, 1886 (at end of mortality table)
200
Deaths .
199
Diphtheria
201
Districts .
203
Expenses
208
Goats
197
Grease
197
House offal
198
Map
. 204A
Membership
195
Night-soil
198
Nuisances
195
Organization .
195
Permits
197
Population
200
Scarlet fever
200
Sewers
198
Swine
197
Typhoid fever
20
TABLES.
Diphtheria in 1886, inspector's report
202A, B
Mortality in Somerville, 1886
199
rates of, in districts, 1874 to 1886 .
204
Nuisances abated, 1886 .
196
66 in districts, 1886
207
Principal causes of death, in districts, 1886 . Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, 1886
66
deaths in last 10 years, 202
66
66
in districts, 1886 . . 205
66
.66
in last 7 y'rs, 206
205
202
14
200
-
REPORT
OF THE
CITY PHYSICIAN.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Feb. 9, 1887.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 10, 1887.
Concurred in.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To his Honor the Mayor and the City Council :
GENTLEMEN, - I respectfully present my annual report as City Physician.
I have made during the year 1,813 visits; of these, 303 were surgical, and 46 were made to persons at the police station. I have, in accordance with the law, viewed the bodies. and given certificates of the probable cause of death, of 11 persons, who died unattended by any physician. I have examined 22 persons sup- posed to be insane, and have given certificates in 17 cases.
I have vaccinated 201 persons free of expense. Twenty-two persons had teeth extracted at my office. I have examined six applicants for the police force.
Respectfully submitted,
THOS. M. DURELL, M. D., City Physician. JAN. 28, 1887.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Jan. 26, 1887.
Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual re- ports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEO. I. VINCENT, Clerk pro tem.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, JAN. 27, 1887.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
To the City Council :
The Trustees of Somerville Public Library, in making this their annual report, first desire to say that their experience of the last year reassures them that the expenditure for the erection of the new library building was wisely made. The community cannot fail to realize the facilities and accommodations which it furnishes ; at the same time they confess that their duties have become in a great measure thereby more enjoyable, if not better performed.
The amount expended for all purposes during the year will appear in the City Treasurer's statement appended hereto.
The number of books purchased in 1886, according to the report of the librarian, is 1,012. The whole number of books now in the library is 13,146.
It may be interesting to know the growth and use of the Public Library since its establishment. The following tables gleaned from the annual reports will furnish this information : -
Year.
Number in Library.
Books taken out.
1873 .
3,907
24,693
1874 .
4,730
Not reported.
1875 .
5,301
39,025
1876 .
5,752
46,800
1877 .
6,696
57,862
1878 .
7,441
61,076
1879
7,814
64,022
1880 .
8,506
67,895
1881
9,035
67,649
1882 .
9,766
67,673
1883
10,574
70,531
1884 .
11,197
72,591
1885 .
12,134
65,450*
1886 .
13,146
77,610
* In ten months.
218
ANNUAL REPORTS.
For further information, attention is invited to the librarian's report.
Much care has been taken in studying and supplying such de- partments as were found deficient, and chiefly in the choice of books of a solid and standard character. Books of reference relating to art, scientific subjects, manufactures, trades, and mechanics have been furnished, resulting in a most valuable acquisition to the library. Unusual opportunities are now offered to those who may desire to investigate any special subject in the reference room, which will be found both a pleasant and profitable place of resort.
Not a few purchases have been made in compliance with re- quests of individuals whose judgment the Trustees have good reason to respect. It has been the policy of the Trustees to en- courage the patrons of the library to make known their wishes, and to recommend such works as they may deem desirable to pos- sess. The difficulty in selecting books, especially new publica- tions, arises in a great measure from the difficulty of knowing the merits of an author without a personal perusal. It will be readily seen that a multiplicity of books renders this duty arduous. Any assistance, therefore, that can be rendered by those who have a personal knowledge is most welcome. It is not always safe to rely upon newspaper notices or criticisms, or the commendations of publishers. Nor can it be deemed advisable to rely too much on experiments or mere hearsay.
The aim should always be to provide what may be regarded the " best reading." To accomplish this may be quite feasible, if stand- ard works of known value are only to be selected ; but in dealing with the current literature of the day, an immense field must be explored, and hence the task becomes the more onerous.
The Trustees would briefly again invite a further consideration of the question how the Public Library can be made more serviceable and beneficial to the community, especially to the young, who, more than others, are its active patrons. The materials are all here with which to· work.
Much might be said in the way of suggestion, as to what course a reader or student should pursue in order that he may make the most advantageous use of books, and in the adoption of some sys- tematic course of reading. We leave the subject, however, for parents and teachers to consider.
219
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Attention is respectfully invited to the condition of the grounds about the library building. It seems sadly out of place that the elegant structure, which has been erected at so much outlay, should not have its surroundings more in consonance with its character. What might have been made an attractive lawn with the adorn- ment of a few flowers, has thus far been permitted to become over- grown with unsightly weeds.
To avoid a continuance of such a condition of things, the Trust- ees have taken the initiative of preparing the soil, so that in the coming season it may be in readiness for further improvements.
In closing, the Trustees take pleasure in giving their testimony to the fidelity and zeal with which the librarian and her assistants have discharged their duties.
CHAS. S. LINCOLN, Chairman.
DEC. 31, 1886.
:20
ANNUAL REPORTS.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The fourteenth year of our library work finds us in a condition to warrant the expenditure of increased appropriations, as larger means of usefulness are constantly presenting themselves. Books of more scientific and solid character are called for and more and more appreciated, while many do not yet know of the treasures contained in our collection, which they have but to ask for in order to receive.
During the past year many choice books have been placed in the reference department, such as
North American Sylva, 2 vols. Standard Natural History, 6 vols. Holbein's Portraits.
Ferns of North America, 2 vols.
The Earth and its Inhabitants, 10 vols.
Costumes of the Clans, 2 vols. Baronial Halls of England. National Costumes of Germany.
And also for general distribution the most desirable works on the labor question, electricity, science, and the best in books of travel, biography, and fiction.
We are indebted to those of our constant readers who suggest those works that are most useful in their several occupations, and find them generally excellent judges of what is most needed. Who knows so well as the workman himself what tools he can best use ; and if we can only supply the needed tools for our young workmen, what monuments of fame may not be wrought by builders here !
Until recently we have had only books of moderate cost in un- pretending bindings ; now we have accommodation for choicer books, whose illustrations on subjects in which our people are in- terested many would be glad to see. We have never been able to purchase a set of "Audubon's Birds," nor until this present year any
221
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
volumes of colored engravings or books in which the costumes of the past could be shown to those curious to see, or desirous to copy them. Our books, when purchased, go into immediate circulation, and their well-worn condition shows their constant use. Three books have been given, and the wonder is that more have not been donated. What more fitting place to bestow a well-read book than the Public Library, where hundreds can have the benefit of it. and the giver have the satisfaction of knowing that a good selection has been made for the reading of others ?
I find that in at least one library the gifts have sometimes out- numbered the purchases.
A new registration was commenced in January, 1885, since which time 5,415 names have been entered and cards delivered.
During the year, 77,510 books have been delivered, 8,687 books covered, and 2,000 postal cards sent for books overdue. We have had, including periodicals, 407 volumes bound. These can seldom be bound a second time ; 145 books have been worn out and with- drawn, and, where it was possible, replaced.
The use of reference books has nearly doubled; the number recorded last year being 642, and this year 1,200.
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