USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1897 > Part 31
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Smallpox .-- Two cases of smallpox have been reported dur- ing the year, one of which proved fatal. The patients were at- tended by the city physician. In both cases the patients worked in Cambridge, but resided in this city. The utinost precaution was taken to prevent the spread of this dreaded disease. The ex- pense incurred in these cases was $1,652.75, a proportional part of which will probably be borne by the State of Massachusetts and the Town of Amesbury, one patient being a state case, the other having a settlement in Amesbury.
Number of houses placarded 532
Premises disinfected by agent 492
570
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Tables .- The prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever in the city during the several months of the year 189? is shown by the following table, and in the table next fol- lowing is given the number of deaths from these three diseases, by months, during the last ten years :-
SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED IN 1897.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage of Deaths.
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
January
19
·
. .
17
2
11.1
1
March
22
2
9.1
28
4
14.3
1
April
22
2
9.1
44
5
11.4
3
1
33.3
June.
10
2
20
14
1
7.1
2
2
100 0
August .
7
.
. .
34
3
17.7
7
2
28.6
September .
31
7
22.6
10
2
20.0
October
11
. .
....
32
8
25.0
6
1
16.6
December .
7
....
....
15
1
6.7
3
...
..
Total .
158
6
3.8
324
44
13.6
50
11
22.
DEATHS FROM SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1×96.
1897.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1888.
1889.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
| 1897.
January
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
4 12
3
1
2
2
February .
March
4
1
1
4
2
2
4
6
3
4
April
1
2
3
2
1
1
2
2
1
6
5
1
2
2
2
1
May
1
1
4
1
6
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
7
1
2
1
1
June
1
1
1
4
1
4
..
2
1
4
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
September
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
7
4
2
1
2
4
2
2
6
2
October
1
2
4
2
3
1
4
3
1
5
3
1
1
2
3
3
4
3
2
November
2
4
1
3
4
1
2
5
4
7
8
3
1
2
2
5
1
December
1
3
7
2
1
5
2
3
:
.
1
8
6
1
2
2
2
1
1
..
Total . .
15 7 5 2 14 19 51 17
5
6
21 28,21 18
8 11 28 43 54 44
17
7 10 11 11 13 13 10 26 11
..
May .
15
35
7
20
3
1
33.3
22
1
4.5
1
·
July .
10
..
....
27
5
18 5
9
2
22 2
November .
15
....
..
. .
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
1298
22. .
3
1
3
1
5
2
1
1
1
1
2
July
1
4
1
2
1
1
1
4
3
2
2
1
1
3
1
2
2
.
.
co .
:
-
-
-
1
·
. .
February
20
. .
25
...
4
....
. .
·
·
.
5
2
.
5
..
. .
August
2
.
1896.
1897.
| : 1888.
--.
1
1
1.
1 1
. .
Cases
R
MYSTIC
ANVER .
MAP OF
25
ST.
0
TAN
VIII
MYSTIC
S
T
VMỚI
C
PHAN
N
0 200 400 600 100 000
1500
2000
2.500
3500
4000
4500
INILE.
ILROAD.
MAIN
M
E
D
F
CAKL
R
BROADWAY
NONLUTO
Nº 18
Nº15.
ALE
CEDAR
SCHOO
AVE
LINDENS
RAIL
FITCHAURE CLANK 31
M B
ONVINS
A
III
ver
SEWERS SHOWN THUS
SOM
₦: 19.
LINE
Nº12.
C
A
M
B
R
I
D
G
E
HELIOTYPE PITTONG CO BOTOX
ARLINGTO
AVE
RAYMOND
WAGE ST.
LLEN ST.
HAMON
FALAMOUNT
VIMOS
ING
ST
STNUT
TUFTS
LOWELL
AVE
COLLEGE
BOSTON
AND
MILLER'S
PEARSON
PRESTON
RIDGE.
SYLUM
1898. SHOWING HEALTH DISTRICTS.
EASTERN
B
SOMERVILLE
V: 8.
4
571
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
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 danger- ous diseases, and the number of nuisances abated in these several districts, and is continued in the following tables.
The estimated population in the several districts was origi- nally based on the number of assessed polls in each, and upon the population of the entire city ; the ratio of polls to population being presumed to be the same in all the districts. Substantially the same method of estimating the population has been con- tinued, the census of every fifth year being taken as a basis for calculation.
We have obtained the number of dwellings and of assessed polls, May 1, 1897, from the assessors' books, by actual count, as was also done for the years 1894, 1895, and 1896, instead of assum- ing, as had been done in former years, that their increase was uni- form throughout the city.
572
TABLE OF DEATHS IN EACH DISTRICT DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS.
Districts .
·
·
·
·
I.
II.
III.
IV
4
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 .
7,211
5,659
4,783
5,696
11,315
6,288
6,890
3,106
4,164
2,888
58,000
Dwellings
1,057
992
804
971
2,066
1,182
1,225
557
792
645
10,291
Average in each dwelling .
6.8
5.7
5.9
5.9
5.4
5.3
5.6
5.6
5.3
4.5
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
1888 .
148
23
68
11
44
18
62
14
117
18
22
50
13 15
16 19
15
1890 .
140
19
69
9
48
17
94
19
18
46
59
14
27
22
26
12
15
15
663
16
1891 .
169
22
.71
9
68
103
15
75
42
77
17
33
25
33
14
12 25
22
696
16
1892 .
139
17
75
9
42
76
94
16
180
20
20
14
23
13
26
9
27
18
790
15
1894 .
157
22
66
12
86
19
117
21
188
18
13
64
10
43
17
37
10
27
11
855
16
1895
136
19
76
14
91
20
94
17
184
17
77
15
67
16
29
12
29
00
40
17
823
16
1896 .
·
1897
158
22
80
15
80
16
88
17
170
15
93
15
68
12
40
14
29
00
53
00
859
15
Average death rate per 1,000 for ten years . · ·
20
12
18
17
17
21
14
17
11
17
16
.
.
·
·
.
.
.
·
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Deaths.
per 1,000
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
13
15
579
16
1889 .
125
16
67
9
48
17
85
17
14
20 14
120 144
16
34
12
27
19
44
17
1893 .
161
18
80
6
63
16
17
105
19
180
16
97
16
82
13
46
16
36
9
52
21
924
17
155
22
94
18
77
Rate
Rate
Number of
Rate
Number of
Rate
105 139
17 27
62
33 28
2 6 9
59 72
14
28 26
14 12
17
17
582
15
ANNUAL REPORTS.
·
In 1897.
5.6
YEAR.
per 1,000.
per 1,000.
12
761 18
23 13
·
Rate
573
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
TABLE SHOWING THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN SOMERVILLE IN 1897, WITH THE NUMBER AND RATE IN EACH DISTRICT.
PNEUMONIA.
PHTHISIS.
HEART DISEASE.
MENINGITIS.
CHOLERA INFANTUM.
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.
1
14
1.94
11
1.53
13
1.81
10
1.39
10
1.39
II.
6
1.06
3
0.53
co
0.53
co
0.53
2
0.36
III.
12
2.51
5
1.05
6
1.26
1.89
5
1.05
IV.
13
2.29
8
1.41
7
1.23
1.41
10
1.76
V.
15
1.33
0.53
11
0.92
0.44
2
0.18
VI.
ão
2.07
1.43
8
1.28
0.95
7
1.11
VII.
11
1.59
8
1.17
4
0.59
0.29
4
0.59
VIII.
5
1.61
5
1.61
4
1.29
0,32
1
0.32
IX.
5
1.20
4
0,96
3
0.72
0.48
1
0.28
X.
10
3.47
8
2.77
5
1.74
2.08
3
1.04
Total .
104
1.7
67
1.16
64
1.11
52
0.89
45
0.71
TABLE OF SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1897.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Reported.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
I.
31
2
4.29
0.28
63
11
8.74
1.53
10
32
1.39
0,42
II.
19
1
3.36
0.18
39
3
7.07
0.53
3
III.
18
1
3.77
0.21
30
5
6.27
1.05
2
. .
1
1.04
0,17
V.
16
1
1.42
0.09
37
4
3.27
0.35
7
2
0.62
0.18
VI.
17
1
2.71
0,17
44
9
7.05
0.95
9
1
0.95
0.17
VII.
14
2.01
....
52
6
7.55
0.88
7
1
1.02
0.14
VIII.
14
4.51
....
13
2
4.19
0.64
5
1
1.61
0.32
IX.
7
1.69
....
..
X.
3
1.04
....
7
2
2.43
0.69
1
..
....
Total .
158
9
2.72
0.11
324
44
5.51
0.76
50
11
0.86
0.19
1,000 of Pop.
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
1,000 of Pop.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of Pop.
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
IV.
19
.
3.34
20
4
3.51
0.71
6
0.53
0.36
0.42
...
19
1
4.56
0.28
3
. .
0.72
0.36
. .
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
Deaths per
92129986
69
1
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.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
Av'age for Seven Yrs.
DISTRICTS.
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.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
Typhoid Fever.
I.
§ Cases Deaths
2.05 1.80 0.77 0.38
6.43 0.83 0.95 0.36 0.12 0.12
8.86 1.13 1.36 0.57 0.23 0.11
13.98 1.44 1.15 2.73 0.57|0.14
4.47 5.19 0.86 0.86 1.04 . .. .
1.12 11.96 1.40 0.28 2.25 . ....
4.29 8.74 1.39 5.80 4.47 1.13 0.28 1.53 0.42 0.73 0.87 0.11
II.
( Cases Deaths .
0.79 1.45 1.18
9.75 0.49 0.37 0.37 0.24 ....
4.07 0.93 1.04 0.23 0.47
4.45 1.30 0.74 0.18 0.18
2.10 4.27 1.86 0.19 1.11 0.74
0.72 10 73 1.61 1.25 0.72
3.36 |7.07 0.53 0.18 0.53 0.36
3.61 3.75|1.65 0.11 0.60 0.41
III.
§ Cases Deaths . ·
8.53 4.44 2.39 0.34 1.02 0.61
11.38 1.89 0.95 0.63 0.95 0.31
9.58 0.79 1.59 0.53 0.27 ....
11.98 4.44 1.33 1.99 1.33 ....
5.32 7.77 1.33 0.22 0.66
1.49
5.97 1.07 0.21 0.43
3.77 6.27 0.42 0.21 1.05 ....
7.44 4.51 1.29 0.56 0.79 0.19
IV.
§ Cases Deaths .
3.47 1.35 1.16
5.19 0.89 0.36 0.36 0.18
5.70 0.35 0.34 0.86
14.37 3.73 0.74 2.24 1.49 0.18
5.41 5.60 1.49 0.74 1.68 0.37
2.14
7.32 1.97 1.25 0.36 ....
3.34 3.51 1.04 0.71 0.17
5.66 3.25 1.01 0.34 0.81 0.24
V.
§ Cases ¿Deaths .
3.65 1.22 0.97
7.78 1.02 3.83 0.34 0.11 0.56
5.47 1.13 1.71 0.11 0.23 0.57
5.75 2.49 1.34 0.38 0.67 0.38
4.13 6.05 0.48 0.09|1.25 0.29 ..
2.24
6.09|1 16 0.72 0.72 . .
1.42 3.27 0.62 0.09|0.35 0.18
4.35 3.04 1.45 0.15 0.48 0.41
VI.
Cases Deaths .
2.25 0.56 2.81
14.57 2.08 4.16 0.52
6.26 1.56 1.25 0.62 0.31 ....
9.85 0.94 0.94 0.75 ... 0.18
3.03 2.08 0.57 0.19 0.38
7.18 1.00 0.67 ....
2.71 7.05 0.95 0.17 0.95 0.17
5.93 3.07 1.67 0.25 0.41 0.21
VII.
§ Cases Deaths .
1.80 0.88 2.47
9.17
1.46
4.59|1.39 0.79 0.19 0.19 0.19
4.69 0.15
0.62
2.81 3.44 1.09 0.31 0.31 ..
3.45 0.15
6.87 1.05 0.75 0.45
2.01 7.55 1.02 0.88 0.14
4.08 2.89 1.21 0.15 0.31 0.25
VIII.
( Cases ¿Deaths .
3.06 1.53 0.76
4.96 0.71 . .
5.68|1.13 1.70 0.57
8.29 4.56 0.82 0.41 0.82 0.41
4.52 2.49|1.66 ..
8.44 11 00 2.93 0.38
4.51 4.19 1.61 ... 0.64 0.32
5.20 3.88 1.47 0.19 0.58 0.36
IX.
§ Cases Deaths .
0.42
0.78
..
....
0.55
2.77 2.49 1.65 ... 0.28 0.28
1.77 0.25
3.54 2.78 0.51
1.69 4.56 0.72 0.28
4.31 2.49 1.79 0.08 0.14 0.31
X.
§ Cases Deaths .
9.71 0.97
3.59 0.90 1.80
6.49 2.59 1.73
8.23 4.76 2.60 0.43
6.43
6.03 3.22 0.41 0.81 . .
1.04 2.43 0.36 .. 0.69 .
6.34 2.92 1.39 0.26 0.49 0.12
§ Cases Deaths
2.97 1.62 1.26 0.05 0.42 0.25
8.06 0.85 1.61 0.30 0.17 0.24
6.28 1.12 1.18 0.38 0.22 0.26
8.59 2.09|1.10 0.96 0.53 0.24
2.53 4.12 4.68 1.16 0.32 0.81 0.19 0 09
7.68 1.57 0.96 0.46
2.72 5.51 0.86 5.04 3.37 1.25 0.11|0.76 0.19 0.32 0.56 0.26
·
·
·
0.19 0.39 0.39 .
0.12
0.56 0.56
0.45
0.21
10.21
0.31
.. 0.65
....
7.79 0.78 2.73
5.59 1.75 2.73
6.35 1.38 1.92 0.27
...
. . ..
....
0.97
..
8.89 2.73 1.36|1.37
City
.
.
.
0.66 0.39 ..
..
...
.. 0.17
....
2.84
1.83 1 10
4.20 2.94 ·
ANNUAL REPORTS.
574
575
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
.
NUISANCES ABATED IN EACH DISTRICT IN 1897.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
Total.
Population ( estimated ).
7,211
5,659
4,783
5,696
11,315
6,288
6,890
3,106
4,164
2,888
58,000
Cellar damp .
4
2
2
2
1
3
4
1
1
2
22
Cesspool offensive
2
1
1
1
2
1
5
2
15
Cesspool overflowing
1
1
2
1
1
6
1
13
Connections of drainage pipes defective
7
5
4
5
2
6
1
1
31
Cow barn offensive
2
2
3
1
3
1
4
1
1
18 1
Dogs kept in cellar
34
9
5
9
4
6
2
1
1
60
131
Drainage emptying into cellar .
6
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
18
Drainage emptying on surface .
4
3
1
3
2
3
1
17
Drainage not ventilated .
2
1
1
1
2
1
8
Drain-pipe defective
8
4
5
4
2
6
1
1
2
2
35
Fish offal
1
1
1
1
4
Goats kept without license
1
1
2
Goats kept in cellar
1
2
2
1
4
1
1
14
2
1
2
1
1
7
Horse shed offensive
1
1
1
1
1
9
Manure exposed and offensive
11
2
4
3
1
7
1
2
1
2
34
Manure pit defective
4
1
1
2
4
2
1
1
1
17
Offal on land
1
1
1
3
1
1
8
Offensive odor in and about dwellings
6
4
4
2
1
2
1
1
21
2
1
1
1
1
1
7
Pigs kept without license
2
1
1
2
1
1
Premises filthy .
10
1
2
2
1
5
Premises untidy
9
1
2
3
1
7
2
3
4
34
Privy-vault defective
13
3
5
7
2
9
3
1
4
47
Privy-vault full
15
1
6
5
2
8
4
1
3
45
Privy-vault offensive
56
4
9
10
5
11
4
4
4
2
Rabbits kept in cellar
5
3
2
1
2
3
1
1
18
2
2
1
1
11
3
1
. ...
1
1
1
1
3
11
Slops thrown on surface
2
2
1
4
5
2
1
4
1
2
23
Stable and stable premises filthy and offensive
6
1
4
3
2
1
2
19
Stable without drainage
2
2
2
2
4
1
2
1
2
18
Stagnant water on surface .
2
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
2
15
Waste-pipe defective . .
2
2
4
2
8
1
3
3
4
29
Waste-pipe not trapped .
2
2
1
2
4
1
2
1
15
Water-closet defective
9
4
3
4
2
2
2
2
3
3
34
Water-closet insufficiently sup- plied with water
3
1
2
2
1
4
1
1
2
17
Water-closet offensive
13
4
1
2
3
5
2
2
2
3
37
Water in cellar .
1
1
1
1
6
2
1
4
17
Water under stable
3
2
1
3
1
1
11
Total
269
70
86
100
52
143
53
57
41
118
989
. .
1
1
1
4
Opening in drain-pipe in cellar Pigs kept in cellar
1
1
8
21
2
109 1
Rubbish in cellar
Sewage flowing under floor
2
1
Sewer-gas in house
2
2
2
11
Stable infected with glanders
3
1
1
1
Hennery offensive
2
Hens kept in cellar
4
Infected bedding .
1
1
Drainage defective
1
2
576
ANNUAL REPORTS.
UNDERTAKERS.
The duty of issuing licenses to undertakers has, by Section 7, Chapter 437, Acts of 1897, been transferred to Boards of Health.
[Acts of 1897, 437, Section 7.]
"Section 7. The boards of health of cities and towns shall, on or before the first day of May in each year, license a suitable num- ber of undertakers who can read and write the English language, to take charge of the funeral rites preliminary to the interment, removal, or cremation of a human body. Such licenses shall be issued under such terms and upon such conditions as the board of health may prescribe, and may be revoked at any time by the board when such terms or conditions or any requirements of law relative thereto have been violated by the undertaker ; provided, however, that an undertaker so licensed shall have the right to act there- under in any city or town in the Commonwealth."
SPITTING IN STREET CARS.
With a view to the abatement of the dangerous and filthy practice of spitting in street cars, at a meeting held August 4, 1897, the Board passed the following regulation :-
"The Board of Health of Somerville hereby adjudges that the deposit of sputum in street cars is a public nuisance, source of filth, and cause of sickness, and hereby orders: That spitting upon any floor of any street car be, and hereby is, prohibited."
APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND EXPENDITURES THEREFROM.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$20,000 00
Transfer from Interest account
3,500 00
Amount carried forward · $23,500 00
577
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Amount brought forward .
$23,500 00
For permits to keep swine and goats, and to collect grease 34 00
Sale of offal to Hannibal S. Pond 800 00
Insurance on building
burnt on North street 700 00
Total credit $25,034 00/
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
For agent's salary
$1,200 00
Salary of superintendent of collection of ashes and offal
900 00
Collecting ashes
5,520 00
Collecting offal
10,623 00
Burying dead animals
83 00
Stable expenses (includ- ing repairs and light- ing) .
803 37
Vaccine virus .
36 00
Wagons and sleds, and
repairing same .
/11 25
Care of two smallpox cases .
1,622 28
Building contagious dis-
ease hospital .
662 36
Horse doctoring
47 00
Harnesses and horse
clothing
.
289 35
Hay, straw, and grain
2,291 97
Amounts carried forward . $24,789 58
$25,034 00
578
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amounts brought forward
$24,789 58
$25,034 00
Horseshoeing
336 85
Tools, and repairing
same ·
38,47
Books, stationery, and printing
92 30
Incidentals
194 25
Total expenditure . 25,451 45
Amount overdrawn
$417 45
ALLEN F. CARPENTER, Chairman, ALVANO T. NICKERSON,
ALVAH B. DEARBORN,
Board of Health.
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 9, 1898.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 10, 1898.
Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports in concurrence.
CHAS. S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
HON. ALBION A. PERRY, Chairman, ex-officio. HERBERT E. MERRILL
. Ward One
EDWARD B. WEST, President
.
. Ward Two
EZRA D. SOUTHER .
. Ward Three
ALBERT W. EDMANDS
. Ward Four
COMMITTEES.
ON INVESTIGATION AND RELIEF - Mr. West and Mr. Merrill. ()N FINANCE - Mr. Edmands and Mr. Souther. CHARLES C. FOLSOM, General Agent. CORA F. LEWIS, Secretary. ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D., City Physician. Office, City Hall Annex, Highland ave.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
OFFICE OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, CITY HALL ANNEX, December 31, 1897. S
TO THE HONORABLE, THE MAYOR, AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE : - -
Gentlemen,-According to our custom, and in compliance with the City Ordinance, we send herewith our annual report.
This is the thirteenth report since the reorganization of the Poor Department in 1885; and is respectfully submitted.
The demands for aid from the city, from one year to another, have steadily increased since 1888. In that year, less aid was given than in either of the last twenty years. In 1896 our pay rolls amounted to $21,999.79. In 1897, owing to the continued finan- cial depression, and to the large sum paid the Somerville Hospi- tal for care and treatment of the sick poor, and to the natural in- crease in our population, we have expended the sum of $25,681.47.
ALMSHOUSE.
The efforts made at the beginning of the year 1897 toward securing a suitable lot of land for an almshouse seemed for a time to be encouraging. The Special Joint Committee, appointed to investigate the matter, spared no time in looking up a suitable location, and reported favoring a lot on North street, joining the lot owned by the city, known as "Wild Cat Hill"-but alas! as in many a time past, in the multiplicity of calls for money, our in- terests were left out ; and we have been compelled to secure places to board our unfortunate poor, as best we could, the same as in years past. We feel very sorry for this failure, as our "full sup- port" cases are increasing, and our need of an almshouse is more
584
ANNUAL REPORTS.
pressing each year. If we had one to-day (December 31, 1897), we could supply it with sixty inmates, one-half sane and the other half chronic insane.
TABLE No. 1. FULL SUPPORT. (During the year.)
In almshouses
20
In private families
24
In hospitals
55
In Massachusetts School for the Feeble-minded
5
Insane persons in private families
3
Insane persons in hospitals
69
TABLE No. 2. FULL SUPPORT.
(At present time, December 31, 1897.)
In out-of-town almshouses 16
In private families .
14
Insane in hospitals (we are reimbursed for four)
64
Insane in private families
3
In hospitals, sane
SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL.
In July last a meeting was arranged between the Finance Committee of the Somerville Hospital Trustees and the Overseers of the Poor in relation to making some arrangement whereby the city could lawfully give financial aid to the Hospital. It was thought by some that a "lump sum" could be voted to the Hos- pital as a gift ; but, after more mature deliberation, it was decided to pay the Hospital from the Support of Poor account for sick and disabled persons committed there, who were not able and
585
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
could not pay for themselves. During the last half of the year we have paid at the rate of $9.00 per week, this being about the actual cost of support, the number of patients not to exceed seven at any one time. In adopting this arrangement we are able, by sending notices, to collect part of the money paid out, from the places where the persons are settled, or from the State, if they have no settlement. This arrangement has been acceptable alike to the Hospital authorities and the Overseers of the Poor.
.
TABLE No. 3.
SOMERVILLE HOSPITAL.
Cases on city's account
42
Number at any one time not exceeding
7
Cases having settlement in Somerville
10
Cases having settlement in other cities or towns
8
Cases having no settlement (chargeable to State) .
24
Money expended
$1,984 33
Amount to be reimbursed to the city
906 89
Total cost to the city (mostly last half of year) . $1,077 44
NEW QUARTERS.
In the years 1874 and 1875 the Police Station was erected, and in it rooms were provided and furnished for the Overseers of the Poor. Since that time the different Boards have occupied these rooms, and many thousands of dollars have been disbursed to the poor from there. The furniture and carpets were badly worn, and the safe room so cramped, owing to the accumulation of "records," that we were very glad when we learned that the City Council had voted to carry out the Mayor's suggestions to provide us with new quarters in the City Hall Annex. We have had the rooms carpeted and supplied with suitable new furniture, and moved in on October 28, 1897. We wish to thank the Mayor and
.
TABLE No. 7. EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL FOR THE YEAR 1897.
1897.
Rent.
Board.
Groceries.
Towns and Cities.
Public Institutions.
Boots and Shoes. .
Dry Goods.
Burials.
Salaries.
Fuel.
Sundries.
Totals.
January .
·
$40 43
$134 53
$659 43
$1,171 08
$2,216 70
$34 50
$3 95
$30 00
$290 50
$215 76
$53 48
$4,850 36
February
40 00
184 00
303 29
68 87
31 43
20 30
3 95
90 00
262 49
196 12
57 63
1,258 08
March
40 43
129 61
546 65
3 20
1,745 38
12 85
55 00
286 51
100 35
16 85
2,936 83
April
33
29
72 29
293 10
292 75
41 78
7 15
2 00
20 00
262 50
18 36
1,043 22
May
31 21
161 24
172 56
354 15
669 77
7 50
15 00
262 50
32 83
1,706 76
June
29 00
212 71
315 98
33 08
1,875 75
9 10
4 00
60 00
262 50
39 05
1,826 78
August
29 00
104 10
206 50
376 37
92 57
12 90
40 00
262 50
52 63
1,176 57
September ·
23 00
178 06
295 17
26 58
2,680 30
16 10
30 00
262 50
27 08
3,538 79
October .
38 00
91 00
163 81
306 03
15 40
15 00
262 50
44 42
20 98
965 69
November
38 00
127 37
312 13
773 98
5 50
40 00
262 50
56 46
1,615 94
December
38 00
186 67
560 95
71 72
140 15
16 75
5 45
10 00
262 50
256 97
436 08
1,985 24
Totals
$409 36
$1,708 39
$3,693 88
$3,518 84 $10,884 81
$139 65
$46 30
$414 15
$3,202 00
$813 62
$850 47
$25,681 47
TABLE No. 8. GROSS EXPENDITURES FROM 1885 TO 1897, INCLUSIVE.
1885. $16,430 32
1886. $14,341 83
1887. $13,430 89
1888. $13,375 98
1889. $14,610 92
1890. $15,261 14
1891. $15,980 49
1892. $17,015 30
1893. $17,799 58
1894. $19,733 13
1895. $20,755 46
1896. $21,990 79
1897. $25,681 47
·
.
·
·
·
.
·
·
29
00
126 81
176 44
SOS 91
310 97
9 15
· 262 50
39 04
2,777 21
July
.
.
·
.
.
·
.
·
.
·
·
·
. .
.
.
.
.
8 55
REPORT
OF THE
CITY PHYSICIAN.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 9, 1898. Referred to Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
Reference concurred in.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 10, 1898. CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
-
OFFICE OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN, January 1, 1898.
To HIS HONOR THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL : -
Gentlemen,-I present the following as the work done by me as City Physician for the year ending December 31, 1897 :-
One thousand two hundred seventy-four visits have been made.
Two hundred and fifty-eight persons were treated at my office. One hundred and fifteen children were vaccinated.
One hundred and five persons have had teeth extracted.
Seventeen women were attended in childbirth.
Number of visits at the Police Station, forty-two.
Twenty persons were examined for the police force, and ten for permanent men in the fire department.
Seven visits were made and certificates given where persons had died unattended by a physician.
Respectfully submitted,
ALVAH B. DEARBORN,
City Physician.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, February 9, 1898. Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.
GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, February 10, 1898.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.
CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS, January 1, 1898.
TO THE CITY COUNCIL : -
Gentlemen,-The Committee on Highways presents the fol- lowing report for the year ending December 31, 1897 :-
HIGHWAYS ACCOUNT.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$63,000 00
Less transfer to Sidewalks ac-
count . . 866 20
$62,133 80
RECEIPTS AND CREDITS :-
For labor and materials fur-
nished prior to Janu-
ary 1, 1897, the bills
for which remained uncollected that day . $202 08
Rent of dwellings at city
farm 136 00
Use of city teams, paving
Somerville avenue 61 60
399 68
Value of tools and property on hand January 1, 1897 13,919 20
Value of materials on hand January 1, 1897 . ·
1,678 00
Net gain on tools, property, and materials ·
2,490 85
Total credit
$80,621 53
.
598
ANNUAL REPORTS.
DEBIT.
EXPENDITURES :-
For laying out Alpine, Grant,
Ibbetson, Jay, Kent,
Princeton, and Sacra- mento streets, and Brown- ing road (advertising no- tice of hearings) .
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