USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1891 > Part 14
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TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
February .
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
3
3
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
September
1
1
1
6
1
1
2
2
1
2
3
3
3
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
November
3
2
- 11
2
7
1
4
5
2
1
4
1
4
ʻ
1
2
2
1
3
December
2
1
1
10
1
4
5
1
4
3
2
1
5
2
3
1
1
Total . .
4 6 8 14 3 31 15
7
5
2
52 31 21 28
20 11
21 28 21 18
8 13
8 11
3 11 17
7 10 11
-
11
1
5
8
6
1
5
1
2
2
4
2
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
2
3
1
4
2
1
2
October
1
1
-
1
1
1
4
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
April
1
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
2
1
1
1
-
2
HIHN
1
4
1
July
August
1
1
1
1
3 2 3 2 282112111110
1
May
1
6
1
June
1
1
1
1
ʻ
1
ʹ
ʹ
1
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
2
July .
1
September .
4
8
2
25
November .
21
18
4
22
9
3
33
December .
27
11
3
27
25
4
2
50
May .
6
4
3
75
2
January
2
March
4
2
1
1
1
4
2
3
1 1 1N1
-
2
2
IHN1
1
1
Cases
244
ANNUAL REPORTS.
DISTRICTS.
The accompanying map shows the boundaries of the ten health districts into which the city was divided by the Board of Health of 1878 ; also the locations of common sewers.
A record has been kept from year to year of the number of deaths, the death rate per thousand, the prevalence of dangerous diseases, and the number of nuisances abated in these several dis- tricts, and is continued in the following tables.
The estimated population in the several districts was originally based on the number of assessed polls in each, and upon the popula- tion of the entire city, as shown by the census every five years ; it being assumed that the growth in population has been at the same rate as the increase in the number of assessed polls, and has been uniform throughout the city.
MAP OF
SOMERVILLE
0 08 400 500 100 1000
SCALE
DUSAW
EMILE.
M
SHOWYEY
CHA
D
JUSTIN
Ave
GEOR
R
BROADWAY
AUTO
WA
PAKLAN
wOS
BUSH
FRANK
AIN
ENCE
CROSS
AILA
SOUTH
MURDOCK
ST
AV
ST
ST.
VERNON
SY.
ASYLUM
Av
HIGHLAND
PRESCOTT
PUTNAM
VINAL
UMMI
LINWOOD
CHESTN
BENS ST.
BERKEL
ALDERSEY
ST.
AV.
QUING
CHURCH
SOM
PROSPECT
AULROAD.
DGE
C
A
ZAK
M
DIMICK 3L.
B
C
R
-
Sewers shown thus;
0
E
F
HION
O
MAIN
FREMONT
PAGOK'S
IST
ST.
AVE.
AVE.
ST.
D
BROADWAY
ADAMS
SYCAMORE
THURSTON
MASTER
AVE
AV.
MAPLE
EVER
PARTRIDGE
ELINY LIND AV
SON STY
STICKNEY
37
RAYMOND
WARE ST.
KIDDER AVE
V
ROAD
ALBION
HUDSON
- BENTON AV.
SUMMERS
THESTON
AVE
NOENST
ORING
AVE
ST.
ST.
ST.
INE
LS NVINO
65 01803N03
TREMON
NOP
BOLTONSO
SOLK ST.
FITO
DANE
CLARK ST.
ALLEN ST
LINDEN
PORTER
CRAIGIE
LOWELL
SPRING
PLE
BELMONT
Works
BRASTOW
SUMMER
MEACHAM
DOVER
ACOTTACO
AVE.
ST.JAMES
ST
ASHLANDS
AVE
ORCHARD
WHITE ST
IL AN
2000
SHOWING HEALTH DISTRICTS.
4000
AVE.
JE
VIII
NTUNION
WINTHROT
GARFIELD
CROSS
ST
PARK
TUFTS
T
COLLEGE
AND
OWELL
FISK
-OFORO
LOWEL
TAULL
TENNY.
AYER
PZARJON
BROO
willow
FAIRMOUNT
BROADWAY.
JAMES
SIMPSON
IRVING
WALLACE
CHANDLER
MORRIS
ST.
AVE
37.
ST.
ST.
WINSLOW
CARTE
PARK AV.
AMER
LMWOOD
VE.
CHERRY
MILLER'S RI
NOIRNIX3
AMBRI
HELIOTYPE PRINTING LO BOSTON
MYSTIC
1892
RIVER.
MIDOLESE
EASTER
B
E
S
BOSTON
PINCK
FLOR-
NORTH
PROFES3CMS
N
CURTIS
JOSEPHINE
RAILROAD
TON
FLINT
AVE.
SCHOOL
MADISON ST.
AVE.
GARRISON A
FARRAGUT AVE.
ESCA AVE
APPLETON ST.
AVE.
RAIL
LEXINGTON AV
HIGHLAND
OXFORD
LEASEN
COLLEGE AVE
APPLETON
CONWELL
AME
ENDICOT
ARLINGTON
KONIN
D
MYSTIC
BROADWAY ..
TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, EXCLUSIVE OF DEATHS IN THE MCLEAN ASYLUM.
Districts
1
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. .
7,790
7,605
2,931
5,180
8,211
1,780
4,454
1,307
2,380
1,030
42,668
Dwellings .
1,190
1,109
525
845
1,314
479
757
334
505
299
7,358
Average in each dwelling . .
6.6
6.9
5.4
6.1
6.2
3.8
5.9
3.9
4.7
3.4
5.7
1
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Rate
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
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
co
13
527
18
1884
148
27
55
42
20
52
14
69
12
32
25
35
=
14
15
27
16
00
=
482
16
1885 .
152
28
56
40
19
72
20
78
14
31
24
53
17
13
14
25
15
11
15
531
18
1886
115
20
51
38
17
59
15
85
14
37
28
44
13
11
11
20
11
19
24
479
15
1887
182
29
54
45
19
81
19
87
13
37
25
62
17
20
19
26
14
12
14
606
18
1888 .
148
23
68
44
18
62
14
117
00
33
22
50
16
14
28
14
13
15
579
16
1889 .
125
16
67
48
17
85
17
105
A
28
17
62
19
Cr
26
12
17
17
582
15
1890
140
19
69
co
48
17
94
19
139
00
46
27
59
A
27
22
26
12
15
15
663
16
1891
169
22
71
co
68
23
103
20
120
15
75
42
77
17
33
25
33
14
12
12
761
18
Average death rate per 1,000 for ten years .
23
10
20
17
15
28
15
17
14
16
17
In 1891.
·
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
Rate
YEAR.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
per 1,000.
616610
ciao
246
ANNUAL REPORTS.
TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMERVILLE IN 1891, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.
CONSUMP- TION.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
CHOLERA INFANTUM.
PREMATURE BIRTH AND INFANTILE DEBILITY.
DISTRICTS.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
1,000 of pop.
I.
26
3.31
19
2.44
0.90
10
1.28
13
1.67
II.
6
0.79
6
0.79
1.05
4
0.53
1
0.13
III.
2.04
7
2.39
1.71
9
3.07
5
1.71
IV.
1.74
10
1.92
2,89
9
1.74
7
1.35
V.
1,22
15
1.83
17
2.07
4
0.49
5
0,61
VI.
7
3,93
6
3.37
3
1.69
12
6.74
8
4.50
VII.
8
1.80
9
1.35
8
1.80
6
1.35
4
0.88
VIII.
4
3.06
5
3.83
2
1.53
4
3.06
1
0.76
IX.
2
0.84
2
0,84
1
0.42
0.84
1
0.42
X.
1
0.97
1
0.97
2
1.94
0.97
1
0.97
Total .
79
1.85
77
1.80
68
1.59
61
1.43
46
1.08
TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1891.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
I.
16
2.05
14
1.80
0.38
6
0.77
II.
6
0.79
-
11
1.45
0.66
9
1.18
0.39
III.
25
1
8.53
0.34
13
4
4.44
1.02
IV.
18
1
3.47
0.19
7
2
1.35
0.39
6
1.16
0.39
V.
30
-
3.65
10
1,22
8
0.97
0.12
VI.
4
-
2.25
1
1
0.56
0.56'
5
1
2.81
0.56
VII.
8
1.80
4
0.88
11
2
2.47
0.45
VIII.
1
3.06
0.76
2
1.53
IX.
10
-
4.20
7
1
2.94
0.42
X.
10
9.71
1
1
0.97
0.97
Total .
127
2
2.97
.05
72
18
1,62
.42
54
11
1.26
.25
1,000 of pop.
1,000 of pop.
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of pop.
Deaths per
1,000 of pop.
Cases
Cases
1,000 of pop.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Reported.
-
-
7
12281
2.39
0,61
or CT 00 - 1
000
12
1,000 of pop.
4
-
247
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.
1885.
1886.
1887.
ISSS.
ISS9.
1890.
1891.
Av'age for Seven Yrs.
DISTRICTS.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
I.
§ Cases Deaths .
2.20 0.55 5.67 5.12 1.83 0.37
2.25
2.59 0.86 0.52 0.17
10.48 1.45 2.74 3.51 2.44 2.29| 2.10 0.32 0.64
0.61 1.07 0.46
1.82 0.66 1.16 -0.17
4.07 0.94 0.78 0.47 0.31 0.31
2.32 2.17 1.01 0.43 0.29 -
0.42 2.37 0.69 - 0.42 0.28
0.79 1 45 1.18 0.66 0.39
1.97 1.60 1.03 0.09 0.36 0.37
III.
§ Cases Deaths
8.70
1.45 0.48
5.03
0.46
3.84 0.85 0.85 1.71 0.43 0.43
0.81 2.43 2.43 0.40 0.40 1.21
1.19 1.11 4.11 - 0.37 -
7.97 3.18 1.09 0.73 0.37 -
8.53 4.44 2.39 0.34 1.02 0.61
5.15 1.99 1.62 0.61|0.50 0.38
IV.
Cases Deaths .
0.55
1.64 1.36 1.09 0.82
4.38 0.26
0.26 0.26
3.85 2.16 1.20 0.96 1.20 0.48
1.36 2.72 1.71 -1.14 0.45
1.24 2.52 0.84 0.88 0.63 0.21
3.28 6.57 1.03 3.47 1 35 1.16 0.21 1.64
0.19 0.39 0.39 -
4.36 2.90 0.84
V.
6 Cases Deaths .
6.98
2.97 0.17 0.17 0.17
4.78 0.33 1.65 -
4.00 1.54 0.93 0.62 0.31 0.31
2.04 2.89 1.59 0.15 0.15 0.45
4.04 4.58 0.95 - 0.94 0.13
6.34 2.34 0.91 0.26 0.26 0.26
3.65 1.22 0 97 - -
0.12
0.17 0.50 0.21
VI.
§ Cases Deaths .
10.27 16.59 0.79
2.99
1.49
-
6.96 1.39 2.08 0.70 -
2.63 1.98 1.32 -0.66 -
6.58 4.19 2.39 - 0.59 1.19
2.25 0.56 2 81 -0 56 0 56
5.05 3.83 1.69 0.21 0.71 0.25
VII.
§ Cases Deaths .
7.34
3.51 1.60
5.43
4.22 0.60 0.30 0.30
8.45 0.85 1.41 0.56 0.28 0.28
5.59 1.07 1.07 0.27 0.53 -
3.45 4.68 0.41 0.98 -
5.26 3.37 0.95 -0.24 -
- 1.80 0.88 2.47 0.45 -
5.33 2.65 1.07 0.35 0.48 0.28
VIII.
§ Cases Deaths .
7.51
7.51 6.44 - 1.07
1.01
17.05
3,79
7.17 1.77
- 4.52 2.49 4.14 - 0.88
3.27 4.08 1.63 -[0.81 -
- 3.06 1.53 - - 0.76
5.50 2.68 2.56 0.52 0.23 0.39
IX.
§ Cases Deaths .
22.81
3.60 1.20
6.24
3.97 1.70 0.57 -
5.82 0.53 1.06 0.53 - -
7.51 3.00 2.00 1.50 0.50 1.00
- 4.63 1.85
- 1.79 2.23 0.45 0,45 -
4.20 2.94 10 42 1
6.91 2.99 1.18 0.29 0.28 0.14
X.
§ Cases Deaths .
9.55 1.36
1
-
-
-
4.54 2.27 3.40 - 1.13 1.13
2.10 8.40 - 4.20
4.13 1.03 2.06 - 1.03 -
9 71 0.97 - 0.97
6.23 4.55 1.17 0.19 1.09|0.16
§ Cases Deaths .
7.54 0.47
3.67 1.37 0.93 0.37
3.47 10.09
0.63 €.09
5.94 1.29 1.20 0.91 0.32 0.32
3.42 2.09 1.75 4.94 3.34 1.57 4.01 2.89 0.97 2.97 1.62 1.26 10.42 0.59 0.48 0.18 0.72 0.18 0.07 0.54 0.24 0.05 0.42 0.25
4.61 2.55 1.25 0.31 0.59 0.28
-
0.46
0.46
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-0.83
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.29
2.87 0.63
City
( Cases
II.
Deaths .
0.19
1.50 1.50 0.41 0.19
1.77
2.12 0.89 0.35 -
-
-
-
-
3.16
0.75
1.60
1.28 0.64
-
-
-
-
4.09 2.72 5.15 10.30
8.40 4.80
-
-
-
-
4.24 3.24 3.11 3.55 1.51 0.82 10.28 0.84 0.42
- 0.55 0.14
2.05 1.80 0.77 10.38
4.53 2.59 1.77 0.48 0.84 0.34
2.63
0.97
0.48
9.54
0.77 0.77
3.87 2.53 1.14 0.43 0.91 0.37
3,46
0.17
3.65 0.61 2.43
-
-
-
1.89
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
-
248
ANNUAL REPORTS.
NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1891.
DISTRICT. Population ( estimated ).
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Total.
Cellar damp .
4
3
-
3
6
1
1
1
1
2
10
Cesspool overflowing
-
-
-
2
2
2
-
1
1
8
Connection of drainage pipes defective
5
3
1
3
4
5
4
2
.
14
Drainage emptying in cellar
1
2
1
-
2
2
1
1
2
4
2
Drain-pipe defective
1
3
1
1
5
-
.
11:1 1 1
1
1
1
Hens kept in cellar
1
1
3
1
2
1
10
Manure exposed and offensive Offal on land
2
1
4
1
221213 2 2 2 3
3
1
1
6
1
11
113
Privy-vault offensive
52
4
6
16
20
2
4
7
1
1
7
Sewer-gas in house
2
2
1
1
-
1
-
1
1
1
1
1
2
Stagnant water in house cellar
1
1
4
3
1
1
1
1
9
Waste-pipe not trapped .
5
4
1
2
4
2
1
1
1
30
Water-closet insufficiently sup- plied with water
1
4
5
2
4
Water-closet offensive
4
1
2
1
-
1
1
1
11
Total
175
60
54
70
100
40
24
23
10
15
571
ʹ
3
2
1
1
1 1 11111 1
13
Drying straw on sidewalk
1
Hennery offensive
4
Offensive odor in and about dwellings
1
4
5
8
4
3
1
1 11
3
Premises filthy .
-
1
1
-
1
Premises undrained
-
1
-
ʻ
1
24
Privy-vault full
50
3
6
14
14
3
Removal of bodies of animals burned at fires
1
1
1
Rubbish in cellar
4
3
111 1 1
1
1
1
Stagnant water on surface .
15
Waste-pipe defective .
3
2
Water-closet defective
3
6
6
6
4
4
1
1
8
Opening in drain-pipe in cellar
-
1
2
Premises untidy
6
2
9
Privy-vault defective .
16
1
1
1
1
Keeping pig without license
8
4
6
1
1
1
Drainage emptying on surface .
Drainage not ventilated .
1
1
1
-
20
Cesspool offensive
3
2
1
27
Drainage defective
2
3
8
8
11
21
98
Slops thrown on surface
1
1
Stable affected with glanders .
4
Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive
1
1
11111 .12131 11 1 1 3 1 1
11
1
17
2
2
17
3
1
3
ʹ
8
3
28
1
2
249
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EXPENDITURES THEREFROM, 1891.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$7,000 00
Receipts for permits to keep swine and
goats and collect grease 243 00
Total credit
$7,243 00
DEBIT.
Expenditures : -
For inspector's salary
$1,000 00
collecting ashes
3,686 27
collecting offal
2,150 20
burying dead animals
188 63
vaccine virus
17 00
books, stationery, printing, etc.,
66 75
care of ash dumps
53 39
rent of post-office box
4 00
sulphur
18 44
oil of peppermint
14 05
fumigating
7 50
constable's fees
1 50
inspection at works of E. I. Braddock
25 00
funnel pipes, etc.
75 00
tools
2 55
car fares
16 45
carriage hire
17 50
incidentals
8 00
Total debit
7,352 23
Amount overdrawn .
$109 23
J. FRANK WELLINGTON. CHARLES H. CRANE. ALVAH B. DEARBORN.
250
ANNUAL REPORTS.
INDEX
TO THE REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
PAGE.
Ashes
238
Bad odors at East Somerville .
231
Cows
237
Dangerous diseases
241
Death rate, 1891 (at end of mortality table)
241
Deaths
239
Districts
244
Expenses
249
Glanders
231
Goats
238
Grease
238
House offal
239
Manure
238
Membership
229
Night soil
239
Nuisances
229 229
Pedlers
238
Permits
237
Population (at end of mortality table)
241
Scarlet fever
242
Sewer outlet, Mystic avenue
231
Swine
238
Typhoid fever
242
TABLES.
Mortality in Somerville, 1891
240
rates of, in districts, in last ten years
245
Nuisances abated, 1891
230
in districts, 1891
248
Principal causes of death, in districts, 1891
246
Scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, 1891
243
deaths in last ten years
243
66
66
66
in districts, 1891
246
in last seven years, 247
Diphtheria
242
Organizations
REPORT
OF THE
CITY PHYSICIAN.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 13, 1892. Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in. IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 13, 1892. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN, January 1, 1892.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council : -
The following is a summary of my work as city physician for the year ending December 31, 1891 :-
One thousand and thirty-six visits have been made.
The number of persons treated at the office, 321.
There have been sixteen deaths : four of consumption, two of pneumonia, two of diarrhæa, and one each of the following diseases : Diphtheria, bronchitis, heart disease, whooping-cough, marasmus, enteritis, typhoid fever, and spinal disease.
Twenty-three visits have been made at the police station.
The number of children vaccinated, 148.
Four certificates have been given where persons died unattended by a physician.
Seven women have been attended in childbirth.
Two examinations were made for the police force.
Six persons have been examined for insanity, and the same committed to the asylum.
Respectfully submitted,
ALVAH B. DEARBORN,
City Physician.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 27, 1892. Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 27, 1892. WILLIAM P. MITCHELL, Clerk pro tem.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, January 1, 1892. To the City Council : -
In their report for the year ending December 31, 1891, the trustees of the Public Library placed much stress upon the wants of the library and the increasing demand for larger annual appro- priations by the city.
In order that these wants may 'be made apparent, the condition of the material now on hand should be first considered.
The report of the librarian shows that there are on hand, of books of all kinds, in good, bad, and indifferent condition, 19,719 in number. This is the accumulation of the last nineteen years, during which a large and increasing population have made constant use of the advantages which the library has afforded.
The circulation shows a marked increase in 1891. The circula- tion in 1889 was 88,381; in the year following, 88,971; and in 1891 it reached 96,181, an increase of 7,210.
This may be accounted for by the increase in the number of persons who took out books during the year.
The number of names registered in 1890 was 5,131. During 1891 the number reached 7,162. This is the number of people having taken books within the last two years. It is easy to per- ceive what effect a constant use by so large a number of readers will have upon books. Covers become detached and torn, necessi- tating new binding ; pages and leaves are worn out, dingy, and, in some cases, filthy and unfit for circulation.
This mass of rubbish, daily increasing, must be replaced. The librarian reports that 322 books were withdrawn in 1890 because they were worn out.
It is the desire of the trustees to keep the public supplied with the more important new publications.
258
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Many old books of the above category are from necessity kept on the shelves.
If the growth and character of the library are to keep pace with the demands of the public, adequate means must be provided. Other wants besides that of the literary department are likewise pressing. The heating apparatus unexpectedly required extensive repairs, in order to render the rooms comfortable for occupation.
A new boiler has been put in, at an expense of about $500, and its payment has been left to the next year's appropriation.
Some shelving, as well as some furniture, have also been re- quired, and obtained, which also are yet to be paid for. To meet all these wants, there should be at least an appropriation of $5,000.
It cannot be said that the amount furnished by the city has been more than adequate ; on the contrary, the board of trustees for several years have urged the necessity for still larger sums, if the character and condition of the library are to be maintained on a creditable basis.
According to the "Report of the Free Public Library Commis- sion," the city of Somerville does not compare favorably with the large cities and towns of the Commonwealth in what it is doing for its free Public Library.
The following tabular statements show what other cities and towns have done for their libraries : -
CITY OR TOWN.
POPULATION.
BOOKS.
Brookline
12,000
35,000
Chicopee
14,000
11,500
Clinton
10,000
16,000
Fall River
75,000
40,000
Fitchburg
22,000
20,000
Haverhill
27,000
50,000
Springfield
44,000
71,000
Somerville
40,000
19,719
Taunton
25,000
31,000
Waltham
18,000
17,500
Westfield
10,000
13,800
In proportion to population, Somerville stands the lowest on the list. The attention of the City Council is especially invited to the comparatively small cost of maintaining the library last year.
259
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The appropriation made in 1891, exclusive of the dog tax, which by law must be expended for the public library or schools (See Pub. Sts., ch. 102, sect 107 ), is small compared with the population · or the valuation of the city.
The sum appropriated in 1891 was $3,000. The population is probably not less than 42,000, making a tax averaging about seven cents to a person. Taking the city valuation of property at ($36,000,000 ) thirty-six million, the amount given to the library would make a tax of one-twelfth of a mill on a dollar.
By making a personal application to a taxpayer who is assessed for ( $10,000 ) ten thousand dollars, his proportional share of the expense of maintaining the Public Library is less than one dollar.
It hardly seems necessary to the trustees that they should dwell upon the importance of a good public library to every community.
The " Free Public Library Commission " voiced the general sen- timent when they say in their report: "A free public library is a good business investment for any town. Experience shows that the amount expended for it will be returned many fold, not alone in the intellectual and moral stimulus to the people, but also in material pros- perity and in the increased value of property."
For a more detailed statement of the condition of the library and the transactions of the year reference is made to the report of the librarian.
In closing, it is but due to say that those having the immediate charge of the library have been faithful in the discharge of their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. LINCOLN, President. C. E. RYMES.
GEORGE A. BRUCE. WILLIAM E. WELD. JAMES E. WHITAKER. J. HENRY FLITNER.
CHARLES H. BROWN. JOHN B. VIALL. E. C. CLARK.
SOMERVILLE, December, 1891.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The nineteenth annual report, giving the operations of the Somerville Public Library for the year 1891, is herewith sub- mitted : -
BOOKS.
The present number is 19,719. Of this number 1,568 volumes have been added during the past year, including bound periodicals.
One newspaper has been donated and four books. Two hun- dred and twenty have been worn out and discarded.
Among prominent purchases of the year may be mentioned : "Typical Elms and Other Trees of Massachusetts "; "Iconographic Encyclopædia," seven volumes; " Historical and Genealogical Regis- ter," forty-four volumes; "Proceedings of Massachusetts Historical Society," twenty-seven volumes; " Family Crest Book," two volumes; "Nantucket Historical Register," eight volumes; "Hind's Middlesex County," two volumes ; "York Deeds," six volumes ; " Harvard Book," two volumes; "History of the Supreme Court, U. S."; " Masterpieces of Industrial Art," three volumes; "London, Past and Present"; "Art and Criticism," "Practice of Pharmacy," "The Best Books."
While for general circulation "The Sepoy War and Mutiny," " The First Crossing of Greenland," " On the Border with Crook," " Ocean Steamships," "Canada and the Canadian Question," "Pharaohs, Fellahs, and Explorers," " Battlefields and Victory," "Practical Electricity," " History of Chemistry," "Arcadian Days," "Life of Chopin," "Elizabeth of Roumania," "Life of Napoleon III.," "Memoir of Jenny Lind Goldschmidt," "Christopher Colum- bus," by Winsor, "Life of Sir Robert Peel," "Florentine Nights," "Struggles of the Nations," "Equatorial Africa," "Our Italy," "Sharp Eyes," "Spanish American Republics," " Harlein Mis- cellany," "Women of Turkey," have been added.
The number of new readers registered in the past year is 2,039, making 7,015 who have taken books within the past two years.
261
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
CIRCULATION.
The library has been open 304 days, and 96,181 books have been used. Of this number 1,054 were used for reference, and 95,127 for home use.
The following table gives volumes, circulation, and expenses for the ten years commencing with 1881 : -
YEAR.
VOLUMES.
CIRCULA- TION.
SALARIES.
BOOKS AND PERIODICALS.
OTHER EXPENSES.
1881
9,035
67,649
$1,297 25
$1,272 04
$322 94
1882
9,766
67,673
1,304 19
971 91
407 49
1883
10,574
70,531
1,307 31
1,282 92
177 60
1884
11,197
72,591
1,278 05
1,315 06
539 19
1885
12,208
66,092
1,298 30
1,748 89
666 71
1886
13,146
77,610
1,537 17
2,325 03
1,491 16
1887
14,095
80,559
1,590 83
1,901 34
1,129 61
1888
15,833
81,844
1,608 12
3,055 06
2,079 95
1889
17,045
88,381
1,874 88
2,520 81
1,755 97
1890
18,151
88,971
1,808 70
2,610 54
1,451 68
These books, constantly in circulation, need to be continually renewed, as they soon become, in careless hands, unfit for use. Though many reminders are given to those who use them most, still neatness and care in the handling of books have to be constantly insisted upon, and in some cases the privileges of the library with- held until the lesson is learned.
The largest number given out on any day was 824. The smallest number, 157.
The largest weekly issue was 2,437, for the week ending Febru- ary 28th. The smallest was 1,338, in August.
The library has grown largely in one direction, that of history, nearly 200 volumes having been added relating to the early history of the towns and cities of this Commonwealth ; while the collection of the histories of the Massachusetts regiments is now considered quite complete.
The schools have been liberally supplied with catalogues, and teachers provided with extra cards for school use; and it is quite de- sirable that we should know what books are most needed in that di- rection, that duplicates may be provided if necessary. For this pur- pose we would particularly request lists of books from the teachers.
HARRIET A. ADAMS, Librarian.
262
ANNUAL REPORTS.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF CITY TREASURER.
CR.
Balance from 1890
$131 91
Appropriation
3,000 00
Dog licenses
2,596 68
Fines .
358 06
Catalogues
24 12
Howe & Flint
1 50
Cambridge Gas Light Co.
2 84
$6,115 11
DR.
Salaries
$1,912 83
Books .
2,713 07
Printing and stationery
284 90
Binding
235 90
Newspapers
10 00
Gas
176 76
Fuel
205 90
Water
26 10
Repairs
59 59
Furniture
163 75
Expressing
143 70
Incidentals
80 63
Branch office
100 00
$6,115 13
Balance to 1892
1 98
$6,115 11
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, March 9, 1892. Referred to the committee on printing, to be printed [in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, March 10, 1892. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, January 1, 1892. To the City Council : -
GENTLEMEN,- The committee on highways presents the fol- lowing report for the year ending December 31, 1891: -
HIGHWAYS ACCOUNT.
CREDIT. -
Appropriation
$45,000 00
Receipts and credits :-
For labor and materials furnished prior to January 1, 1891, the bills for which remained uncollected that day $623 01
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