USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1899 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Typhoid Fever .- Seventy-three cases of typhoid fever have been reported during the year, fifteen of which have proved fatal. In 1898 there were fifty-four cases reported, eleven of which were fatal.
Typhus Fever, Smallpox, Cholera .- No cases of typhus fever, smallpox, or cholera have been reported the past year.
Number of houses placarded . 304
Premises disinfected by agent . 307
Tables .- The prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever in the city during the several months of the year 1899 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 :-
283
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever Reported in 1899.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
January
7
. .
7
1
14.3
4
1
25
February
3
. .
. .
14
2
14.3
2
1
50
March
10
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
....
15
13.3
September.
9
....
. .
13
2
15 4
October
36
....
..
. .
2-1
1
4.1
12
3
25
December
24
3
12.5
40
5
12.5
7
3
42.9
Total .
157
3
1.9
147
11
7.5
73
15
20.5
Deaths from Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever in the Last Ten Years.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1890.
1891
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
January
1
2
2
2
2
4
12
2
1
2
2
. .
1
February
March
1
.
2
1 11.2
2
1
6
5
5
1
2
2
1
2
May
1
4
1
1
2
3
4
4
7
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
June
1
1
4
1
2
1
July
1
1
2
4
1
1
2
5
1
2
1
1
1
1
September
2
3
2
October
1
2
3
3
4
3
1
1
1
2
3
3
4
3
2
1
1
November
9
3
4
1
5
4
7
8
2
1
1
3
2
5
1
3
December
1
3
7
1
3
2
1
8
6
1
1
5
. .
..
..
2
1
1
1
3
Total
5
2 14 19 51 17
5603
21|18
8 11 28
43 54 44 10 11
10 11 11.13 13
10|26 11 11 15
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
3
1
5
4
6
3
2
3
1
1
3
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
4
2
2
6
2
2
2
.
. 2.
1
1
: :
1
April
1
1
1
4
3
·
2
1
.
1 :
1 :
1
2
.
.
May .
12
11
1
9.1
5
1
20
June .
22
6
July .
5
6
..
..
. .
1
1
100
August
10
. .
8
14
1
7.1
6
1
16.6
November
17
....
7
...
1
1
April
2
3
4
·
-
-
. .
.
1
August
1 1 :211
·
2
1899.
Cases
Cases
9
284
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, and in the table near the beginning of this report.
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.
The number of dwellings and of assessed polls May 1, 1899, has been obtained from the assessors' books.
MYSTIC
RI
VER
VII
Sewer
TUFTS
COLLEGE
٥٨٨٣ مجم٥
İET
421
PMC 09X21
248
HOF
246
17:248
4
L
AF
401
AF
12150
1ZP
P
951
TOP
SP
131:200
IX
51 17.260 7:2
Dra
CENTRAL FULL
12 ₽
-
12P
.AP
TANNERY
12₽
500
201300
Jor
121401 4
12P
7:240
12₽
2 390
2P 10F
@ 2
ALLOFSITH
DIOP
17:248
SP
134.200
KOF
OMERVILLE
SHOWING 1900 HEALTH DISTRICTS.
H
COMBINED SYSTEM SEWERS SHOWN THUS SEPARATE SYSTEM SEWERS SHOWN THUS _
C
A
M
D
GE
D.
A
M
B
180
LADE SCALFIS
180
12
40₽
J21
12₱
288
bra
14
I2P
125
.150
300
22×338
1ZP
12P
96 8
1EP180
LINCOLN PARK
1308248 308
488
129
982
188-9
KA8
188
M
E
copaliberSever
WIFE
L
ForMe
JOP
263399 22*33B
18:278 26:396
VI
OF
ARLINGTON
UP 12/ AP
17x240
OUMaS
17:248
1747 48
240
AP
9/2191 99.
360
12*245 top tor
200
AP
Metr
Table of Deaths in Each District During the Last Ten Years.
Districts .
I.
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
7,404
5,891
5,024
5,928
11,498
6,404
7,144
3,208
4,303
3,196
60,000
Dwellings
1,001
1,006
818
982
2,080
1,190
1,230
567
804
686
10,364
Average in each dwelling
7.4
5.8
6.1
6.1
5.5
5.4
5.9
5.7
5.4
4.7
5.8
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
1890
140
19
69
0
48
17
94
19
139
18
46
27
59
14
27
22
12
15
15
663
16
1891
169
22
71
9
68
23
103
20
120
15
75
42
77
17
33
25
14
12
12
761
18
1892 .
139
17
75
9
42
13
76
14
144
16
65
34
59
12
.27
19
44
17
25
22
696
16
1893
161
18
80
9
63
16
94
16
180
20
64
20
72
14
23
13
26
9
27
18
790
15
1894 .
157
22
66
12
86
19
117
21
188
18
70
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 .
155
22
94
18
77
17
105
19
180
16
97
16
62
13
46
16
36
9
52
21
924
17
1897 .
158
22
80
15
80
16
88
17
170
15
13
15
68
12
40
14
29
00
53
18
859
15
1898
161
23
67
13
79
16
38
17
194
18
92
15
93
14
28
9
50
12
28
9
880
15
1899 .
102
14
68
13
81
16
113
19
155|
14
87
14
87
12
34
11
46
11
28
9
801
13
Average death rate per 1,000 for } ten years .
20
12
17
18
17
2
13
16
=
15
16
.
·
-
.
Rate
Rate
Number of
Rate
Number of
Rate
Deaths.
Rate
YEAR.
In 1898.
285
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
26 33
Rate
Rate
286
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table Showing the Five Principal Causes of Death in Somerville in 1899, with the Number and Rate in Each District.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
PHTHISIS.
APOPLEXY.
TUBERCULOSIS
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
18
2.43
4
0.54
8
1.08
7
0.95
5
0.68
II.
11
1.87
9
1.53
3
0.51
1
0.17
0.34
III.
14
2.79
2
0.39
12
2.39
2
0.39
5
0.99
IV.
12
2.02
10
1.69
10
1.69
8
1.35
3
0.51
V.
13
1.13
21
1,83
4
0.35
9
0.78
6
0.52
VI.
14
2.19
7
1.09
9
1.41
4
0.63
7
1.09
VII.
13
1,84
11
1.54
4
0.56
7
0.98
2
0.28
VIII.
4
1.22
3
0.94
4
1.22
IX.
6
1.39
4
0.93
1
0.23
2
0.47
4
0.93
X.
6
1.88
1
0.31
1
0.31
1
0.31
3
0.94
Total
111
1.85
72
1.20
56
0.93
41
0.68
38
0.63
Table of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, and Typhoid Fever in Each District in 1899.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
I.
17
9.40
00
2
2.43
0.27
6
.
0.81
II.
12
. .
2.04
..
III.
10
. .
1.99
26
3
5.09
0.59
2
2
0.39
0.39
IV.
19
3.21
18
2
3.04
0.34
6
1.01
V
38
2
3.31
0.18
20
. .
1.74
10
4
0.97
0.35
VI.
23
3.59
15
2.34
11
1
1.72
0.16
VII.
11
1
1.54
0,14
·
. .
15
A
2.09
0.56
VIII.
4
1.22
3,95
14
1
3.26
0.23
12
2
2.79
0.47
X.
6
. .
1.88
. .
. .
2.19
00
. .
1.88
Total .
157
3
2.62
0.05
147
11
2.45
0.18
73
15
1.22
0.25
. .
12
3
2.04
0.51
5
2
0.85
0.34
IX.
17
. .
....
86
2.49
..
Reported.
1,000 of Pop.
1,000 of Pop.
Reported.
1,000 of Pop.
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
..
1,000 of Pop.
1,000 of Pop.
1
0.31
1,000 of Pop.
1.26
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.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
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
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 0.28 1.53 0.42
1.35 1.08 0.40| 0.13 .. ..
9.40 2.43 0.81 0.27 ...
6.21 4.57 1.06 0.65 0.86 0.10
II.
Cases Deaths
4.07 0.93 1.04 .. 0.23 0.47
4.45 1.30 0.74
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
0.85 1.36 1.02 0.17 0.34 ..
2.04 2.04 0.85 0.51 0.34
3.37 3.96 1.69 0.05 0.57 0.45
III.
Cases Deaths
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 . .
1.39 2.19 0.36 0.60 0.36
1.99 5.09 0.39 .. 0.59 0.39
5.08 4.65 0.93 0.42 0.67 0.17
IV.
J Cases Deaths .
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 10.74 1.68 0.37
2.14
7.32 1.97 1.25 0.36
3.34 3.51 1.04 0.71 1.17
1 69 1.01 0.84
3.21 3.04 1.01 0.34
0.55 0.78 0.47
V.
[ Cases ¿ Deaths .
5.47 1.13 1.71 10.11 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
1.38 0.69|1.04 0.17
3 31 1.74 0.97 0.18
...
0.35
3.39 3.07 1.05 0.12 0.46 0.38
VI.
§ Cases Deaths .
0.62 0.31 ..
0.18
3.03 2.08 0.57 0.19 0.38 .. . .
2.84
7.18|1 00 0.67 ....
2.71 7.05 0.95 0.17 0.95 0.17
0.93 1.08 0.77 0.15 . .
13.59 2.34 1.72 0.16
4.17 3.18 1.03 0.25 0.35 0.08
VII.
Cases Deaths .
*
.
0.19 0.19 0.19
0.31
|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
1.14 2.41 0.85 0.43 0.43
1.54 1. 6 2.09 0.56 0.14 .. ..
2.89 3.28 1.07 0.14 0.37 0.29
VIII.
( Cases Deaths .
5.68 1.13 1.70 0.57 . ... 0.65
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 1.83 1 10
4.51 4.19 1.61 0.64 0.32 .
2.80 1.25 0.62 0.31 ..
1 22 2.49
5.07 3.88 1.34 0.19|0.47 0.39
IX.
§ Cases Deaths .
5.59 1.75 2.73
6.35 1.38 1.92 0.27 .. ..
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 ....
0.70 0.93 1.63 0.23
3.95 3.26 2.79 0.23 0.47
3.26 2.56 2.03 0.08 0.11 0.29
X.
§ Cases Deaths .
8.89 2.73
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 ....
1.90 0.32 1.90 .... 0.32 ..
1 88 2.19 1.88
4.98 3.01 1.67 0.26 0.39 0.12
City
§ Cases Deaths .
6.28 1.12 1.18 0.38 0.22 0.26
8.59|2.09 1.10 0.96 0.53 0.24
4.12 4.68 1.16
2 53,
7.68 1 57 0.96 0.46
2.72 5.51 |0.86 0.11 0.76 0.19
1.33 1.93 0.90 2.62 2.45 1.22 0.17 0.18 0.05 0.18 0.25
4.03 3.54|1.14 0.27 0.52 0.25
.
... 0.17
..
. .
...
....
6.26 1.56 1.25
9.85 0.94 0.94 0.75
4.59 1.39 0.79
4.69 0.15
0.62
0.55
. ..
287
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
..
. .
0.18 0.18
...
.. ..
...
...
0.69 . . . .
1.36 1.37
..
0.32 0.81 0.19 0.09
5.12 3.51 1.06
9.58 0.79 1.59
288
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Undertakers.
The duty of issuing licenses to undertakers was transferred to Boards of Health by the following provision of law :---
[Acts of 1897, Chapter 437, Section 7.]
"Section 7. The boards of health of cities and towns shall, on or be- fore the first day of May in each year, license a suitable number of under- takers 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 require- ments of law relative thereto have been violated by the undertaker; pro- vided, however, that an undertaker so licensed shall have the right to act thereunder in any city or town in the Commonwealth."
Under the above law, sixteen undertakers received licenses.
Appropriation for Health Department and Expenditures Therefrom.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
$24,000 00
Sale of offal to Hannibal S. Pond
1,000 00
Permits to keep swine and goats and col- lect grease
44 00
Total credit
$25,044 00
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
For Agent's salary
$1,200 00
Salary of Superintendent of collection of ashes and offal .
900 00
Collection ashes
7,840 83
Collecting offal
11,456 00
Burying dead animals
87 50
Stable expenses (including repairs and lighting)
796 71
Hay and grain
2,927 67
Horse doctoring
11 50
Horseshoeing
404 17
Harnesses and horse clothing
405 86
Wagons and sleds, and repairing same
1,038 95
Vaccine virus
29 19
New horses
300 00
Tools, and repairing same
96 17
Culture tubes
8 95
Books, stationery, etc.
169 50
Incidentals
326 51
Total expenditure
$27,999 51
Amount overdrawn
$2,955 51
ALLEN F. CARPENTER, Chairman. ALVANO T. NICKERSON, ARTHUR R. PERRY,
Board of Health.
.
.
.
.
.
.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS, January 20, 1900.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-I beg leave to submit the following report as inspector of animals and provisions for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1899.
Chapter 408 of the acts of the legislature of the year 1899, which was approved May 25, 1899, revoked the authority previ- ously existing for the appointment of an inspector of animals and provisions, and provided (Section 17) for the appointment of an inspector of animals, subject to the approval of the board of cattle commissioners.
Section 20 of said chapter 408 is as follows :-
The duties of inspectors appointed under the provisions of chapter four hundred and ninety-one of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety-four and of acts in amendment thereof, except so far as they relate to the duties, rules, and regulations of the board of cattle commissioners, as defined in this act, shall hereafter be performed by the boards of health of the various cities and towns; and said boards of health shall have full power in all matters included under the provisions of said chapter four hundred and ninety-one and of acts in amendment thereof, except that the board of cattle commissioners, in accordance with the provisions of this act, so far as not otherwise provided in section fourteen relating to glanders, farcy, and rabies in the city of Boston, shall have full control and authority in all matters relating to contagious diseases among do- mestic animals.
The undersigned was reappointed inspector of animals and provisions March 8. After the passage of the law above men- tioned, he was appointed, by the mayor and aldermen, inspector of animals, and June 16, 1899, he was appointed, by the board of health, an agent of that board, to assist in the performance of its duties under the provisions of Section 20, Chapter 408, Acts of 1899, above quoted.
The duties of the inspector of animals relate to contagious . diseases among domestic animals ; and he is required to examine the barns, stables, or other enclosures in which neat cattle are kept, with reference to their situation, cleanliness, light, ventila- tion, and water supply, and the general condition and cleanliness of the said neat cattle, and to make a detailed report of such ex- amination to the board of cattle commissioners.
The duties under the board of health require an inspection of animals to be slaughtered for food, and of the slaughtered car- casses, and have reference to all kinds of perishable provisions,- as meats, fislı, vegetables, fruits, etc., to be used as food.
As the requirements of the two positions are, to some extent,- identical, and because the separation of the duties was not made until the middle of the year, this report covers the whole matter.
290
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The following is a statement of the number of animals killed during tlie year at the five slaughtering establishments in the city : John P. Squire & Co. Corporation, Medford street, 760,328 swine ; North Packing and Provision. Co., Medford street, 900,490 swine; New England Dressed Meat and Wool Co., Medford street, 315,- 721 sheep, 47,137 calves, 12,087 cattle, 167 swine; Sturtevant & Haley Beef and Supply Co., Somerville avenue, 4,905 cattle; Rachel Gunsenhiser, 104 North street, 891 cattle, 920 calves; total number of animals slaughtered, 2,042,646. I have made 430 visits to slaughter houses, and a large number of the animals have been inspected.
There are 247 cows and 44 swine kept in our city for domestic purposes. One cow was quarantined and afterwards killed by order of the state board of cattle commissioners. All cow barns were measured during the year, under the rules of the cattle commissioners.
Four horses were quarantined. One of them was released, and the remaining three were killed by order of the commis- sioners. In addition to these animals, twenty-five horses, which were affected with contagious diseases, were killed, with the con- sent of the owners. There were less cases of contagious dis- ease among horses than in the previous year.
There are about 415 grocery and provision stores in the city, and 319 wagons from which produce and provisions are sold on the street. About 200 of these wagons are registered.
I have condemned and caused to be destroyed 14 cattle, 21 calves, 5 swine, 6,865 pounds of beef, 1,509 pounds of veal, 120 pounds of fowls, 240 pounds of fish, 4 bushels of clams, 38 lob- sters, 17 dozen bananas, 1 barrel of cabbages, 42 quarts of straw- berries.
I have endeavored to perform the duties of the office to the best of my ability.
Respectfully,
CHARLES M. BERRY, Inspector.
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Board ;of_ Overseers of the Poor.
Hon. GEORGE O. PROCTOR, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio.
HERBERT E. MERRILL .
Ward One.
EDWARD B. WEST, President
Ward Two.
JAMES H. BUTLER
Ward Three.
ALBERT W. EDMANDS .
Ward Four.
Committees.
ON INVESTIGATION AND RELIEF .- Mr. West and Mr. Merrill. ON FINANCE .- Mr. Edmands and Mr. Butler.
General Agent. CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
Secretary. CORA F. LEWIS.
City Physician. ARTHUR R. PERRY, M. D.
Office. City Hall Annex, Highland avenue.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
OFFICE OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, CITY HALL ANNEX, December 31, 1899.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-We herewith submit our annual report for the year 1899.
Appropriation.
The appropriation of $22,000 would have been sufficient for the year had not bills amounting to $925.41 for repairs on the "City Home" been sent to this department for payment. Also bills for furnishing the "Home" amounting to $1,110.23 were paid from the Support of Poor account.
Somerville Hospital.
The Somerville Hospital has been aided during the year to a somewhat less extent than the year previous, the exact sum for 1899 being $2,645.41, as against $3,134.76 in 1898. Quite a large sum has been collected from the state and from other cities and towns for the treatment at the hospital of patients who were not settled in this city.
City Home.
The Board of Overseers of the Poor feel very well satisfied with the year's work in their department, and wish to express their appreciation for the "Home" furnished by the city for those who are so unfortunate as to be unable to support themselves.
The property known as the Levi Russell estate, purchased by the city in 1898 for almshouse purposes, has been repaired and utilized for such purposes.
' The out building, known as the carriage house, has been moved around and connected with the house, and fitted up as a dining-room, men's sitting room, bathroom, and pantry, on the first floor, men's dormitory and two hospital rooms on the second floor, with the furnace rooms and laundry in the basement. In the main house and L on the first floor are situated the kitchen and the rooms occupied by the warden's family, and in the second
293
POOR DEPARTMENT.
story and attics are the women's apartments. All of the rooms are fitted up and furnished in a very neat and comfortable man- ner. There are in all thirty beds for inmates.
In September the Board, having received many applications for the positions, selected as warden and matron of the "City Home," as it has been named, Mr. and Mrs. J. Foster Colquhoun, who entered upon their duties October 15. It seems to the Board, after two and one-half months' service by these officials, that they were wisely selected for their positions.
The time since the inmates were admitted, viz., November 20, has been so short that no comparative statement can be made as to the cost per week for each inmate. During the year 1899 seven of the poor people, whom we were fully supporting, died ; we had planned for these in our new quarters, but feel quite sure their places will be filled very soon by others whose poverty may be caused by circumstances over which they have no control, or perhaps by habits inherited or acquired. We have in the "City Home" on December 31, 1899, seventeen inmates. There are as many more among those supported in insane hospitals, who could be cared for just as well in the "Home," they being "chronic cases"; but as a change in the law regarding the support of the insane is contemplated, we regard it as unwise to bring them here until the legislature acts upon the matter.
Tables.
The following tables will give an accurate account of our work for the year.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) GEORGE O. PROCTOR, Chairman, ex officio. HERBERT E. MERRILL, Ward One. EDWARD B. WEST, President, Ward Two. JAMES H. BUTLER, Ward Three. ALBERT W. EDMANDS, Ward Four.
Board of Overseers of the Poor.
294
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table No. 1 .- Full Support (During the Year).
In Almshouses .
19
In private families
25
In hospitals for the sick
106
In Massachusetts School for the Feeble-minded
4
Insane persons in private families .
3
Insane persons in hospitals
.
86
Table No. 2 .- Full Support (at present time, December 31, 1899).
In Somerville "City Home"
13
Insane in hospitals (we are reimbursed for 3) .
62
Insane in private families
.
.
1
In hospitals, sane
9
Table No. 3 .- Somerville Hospital.
Cases on city's account
89
Cases having settlement in Somerville
29
Cases having settlement in other cities and towns
19
Cases having no settlement (chargeable to State)
41
Persons supplied with nurse at their homes .
38
Money expended
$2,645 41
Amount to be reimbursed to the city
1,172 58
Net cost to the city .
$1,472 83
Table No. 4 .- Partial Support (Outdoor Relief).
Families aided
286
Persons aided
1,153
Burials
21
Permits to the Tewksbury almshouse
.
. .
9
.
.
.
.
1
POOR DEPARTMENT.
Table No. 5 .- Reimbursements in Detail.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
$2,428 14
City of Boston .
982 98
" Brockton
38 86
Cambridge
765 80
Chelsea
95 28
" Everett
45 72
66
Gloucester
10 90
66
Haverhill
16 70
66
Lowell
113 55
66
Lynn
24 83
66
Malden
144 89
66
Marlboro
1 25
Newburyport
15 00
Springfield
1 30
66
Woburn
47 75
6 Worcester
10 00
Town
of Arlington .
33 55
66
66 Canton
3 40
66
66
Hingham
39 16
Merrimac
11 40
66
North Andover
50 79
Plymouth
54 23
Reading
15 00
Stoneham
25 93
66
Tewksbury
2 30
Guardians and Relatives
800 37
Money refunded
19 04
Total
. $5,827 40
Table No. 6 .- Recapitulation.
Appropriation
$22,000 00 5,827 40
Total receipts
$27,827 40
Total expenditures
28,924 39
Account overdrawn
$1,096 99
Net expenditures
23,096 99
.
Reimbursements
.
-
295
Salem
29 28
TABLE NO. 7 - EXPENDITURES, IN DETAIL, FOR THE YEAR 1899.
1899.
Rent.
Board.
Groceries.
Towns and Cities.
Public Institutions.
Boots and Shoes.
Dry Goods.
Burial.
Salaries.
Fuel.
Sundries.
Medicine.
Total.
January .
$11 00
$169 29
$505 19
$316 27
$2,137 83
$7 40
$8 10
$45 00
$284 61
$192 16
$61 68
$115 20
$3,853 73
February
11 00
214 40
336 79
183 77
192 57
21 10
45 00
284 62
159 98
81 01
81 64
1,611 88
March
11 00
247 25
559 80
87 16
2,300 85
19 95
10 00
258 34
131 63
34 25
69 27
3,729 50
April .
·
·
11 00
124 07
264 38
237 15
326 89
258 33
18 80
79 20
1,319 82
May .
11 00
114 51
235 97
51 93
486 58
15 75
8 25
258 33
4 50
49 61
75 20
1,311 63
June
11 00
180 07
319 28
94 58
2,297 44
7 70
·
3 50
258 33
21 07
67 83
1,847 51
August
11 00
147 04
224 03
266 30
149 05
20 00
258 33
2 13
30 08
51 85
1,159 81
September .
11 00
276 78
345 13
378 79
2,143 64
18 50
14 50
80 00
258 33
105 75
825 32
69 25
2,088 02
November
7 00
105 15
377 65
26 43
271 23
86 79
30 00
314 93
162 98
740 80
34 04
2.157 00
December
7 00
27 15
335 57
219 94
1,001 09
13 85
3 68
15 00
326 34
86 11
675 07
74 63
2,785 43
Totals
.
$124 00
$1,877 59
$3,930 66
$2,522 21
$12,202 67
$104 25
$124 82
$300 00
$3,327 17
$845 24
$2,730 70
$835 08
$28,924 39
TABLE NO. 8. - GROSS EXPENDITURES FROM 1886 TO 1899, INCLUSIVE.
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
1898. $28,522.21
1899. $28,924.39
.
·
.
·
·
·
·
· · .
· ·
·
·
·
·
.
.
11 00
159 37
212 02
473 03
641 36
55 00
258 34
·
.
·
168 26
77
3,760 70
October .
11 00
112 51
214 85
186 86
254 14
308 34
24 75
51 20
3,299 36
July .
.
.
·
·
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
OFFICE OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN, January 2, 1900.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-I present the following as a summary of the work done by me as City Physician for the year beginning Janu- ary 13, 1899, and ending December 31, 1899 :-
Number of visits made . 3,427
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.