USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1903 > Part 20
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Districts
I.
II.
III.
IV.
<
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
8,027
6,250
5,460
6,401
12,185
6,952
7,696
3,784
5,374
4,871
67,000
In 1903.
·
{ Dwellings
1,047
1,049
876
1,035
2,178
1,252
1,321
650
1,002
905
11,315
Average in each dwelling
7.7
6.0
6.2
6.2
5.6
5.6
5.8
5.7
5.4
5.4
6.0
-
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
per 1,000.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
per 1,000.
1894
157
22
66
12
86
19
117
21
188
18
70
13
64
10
čo
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
8
40
17
823
16
1896
155
22
94
18
77
17
105
19
180
16
97
16
82
13
46
16
36
00 00
53
18
859 15
1898 .
161
23
67
13
79
16
88
17
194
18
92
15
93
14
28
00
50
12
28
880
15
1899
102
14
68
13
81
16
113
19
155
14
87
14
87
12
34
11
46
11
28
801
13
1900 .
134
17
92
15
87
16
115
19
229
20
82
13
82
11
41
12
54
12
51
15
967
16
1901 . .
133
17
12
70
13
67
11
178
15
65
10
66
co
47
14
58
11
73
20
831
13
1902
140
18
80
13
75
14
73
12
184
18
70
10
71
10
53
15
63
12
81
20
890
13
1903
158
20
79
13
76
14
89
14
151
12
96
14
90
12
64
17
65
12
87
18
955
14
Average death rate per 1,000 for Į ten years .
19
14
16
17
16
14
12
14
11
16
924
17
1897 .
158
22
80
15
80
16
88
17
170
15
93
15
68
12
40
14
29
52
21
·
DEPARTMENT.
HEALTH
YEAR.
Number of
Deaths.
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
Number of
Rate
Rate
per 1,000.
00
15
·
Rate
Rate
266
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table Showing the Five Principal Causes of Death in Somerville in 1903, with the Number and Rate in Each District.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
TUBERCULOSIS.
CANCER.
NEPHRITIS.
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
21
2.62
14
1.74
14
1.74
8
1.00
5
0.62
II.
11
1.76
8
1.28
6
0.96
6
0.96
6
0.96
III.
13
2.38
6
1.10
6
1.10
4
0.73
4
0.73
IV.
11
1.72
6
0.94
9
1.41
2
0.31
3
0.47
V.
14
1.15
11
0.90
12
0.98
4
0.33
4
0.33
VI.
15
2.16
12
1.73
9
1,29
6
0.87
7
1.00
VII.
13
1.69
11
1.43
0.78
5
0.65
3
0.39
VIII.
7
1.85
8
2.11
1.32
3
0.79
1
0.26
IX.
5
0.93
9
1.67
1.12
3
0.56
6
1.12
X.
12
2.46
7
1.44
1.85
3
0.62
2
0.41
Total
122
1.82
92
1.37
82
1.22
44
0.66
41
0.61
Table of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever in Each District in 1903.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
DISTRICTS.
Reported.
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
Deaths per
1,000 of Pop.
I.
17
1
2.12
0,12
37
4
4.60
0.50
3
1
0.37
0.12
II.
10
1
1.60
0.16
21
1
3.36
0.16
3
1
0.48
0.16
III.
14
1
2.56
0.18
27
2
4.94
0.36
1
.
0.18
IV.
20
1
3.12
0.16
25
5
3.90
0.78
2
1
0.31
0.16
V.
17
2
1.39
0.16
24
4
1.97
0.33
9
2
0,74
0.16
VI.
16
2
2.30
0.29
21
·
3.02
3
.
0.43
VII.
10
..
1.30
19
1
2.47
0.13
8
4
1.04
0 52
VIII.
11
1
2.91
0.26
8
..
....
.
0.53
..
IX.
16
2.97
12
2.23
2
.
×
15
1
3.08
0.21
14
2
2.87
0.41
5
1
1.03
0,21
Total .
146
10
2.18
0.15
208
19
3.11
0.28
38
10
0.57
0.15
Reported.
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of Pop.
Deaths per
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
Deaths.
Cases per
1,000 of Pop.
Deaths per
1,000 of Pop.
Cases
Cases
1,000 of Pop.
0.37
....
6999
2.11
2
267
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.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
1902.
1903.
Av'age for Seven Yrs.
DISTRICTS.
Scarlet Fever.
Diphtheria.
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 .
4.29 8.74 1.39
1.35 1.08 0.40
9.40 2.43 0.81 0.27 .....
4.69|11.98 1.17 0.13 1.30 .. . .
1.29 9.46 1.17 0.26 0.78 .. . .
1.92 1.79 0.51 6.13 0.64 0.13
2.12 0.12
4.60 0.37 0.50 0.12
3.58 5.73 0.84 0.14 0.74 0.09
II.
§ Cases Deaths .
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
1.81
7.09 0.99 0.16
0.98 4.59 0.98 0.33 0.16
...
. .
0.16
2.56
4.94 0.18 0.36
2.54 5.21 0,66 0.11 0.76 0.17
IV.
§ Cases Deaths .
3.34 3.51 1.04 0.71 1.17
1.69 1.01 0.84 3.21 3.04 1.01
0,34
0.49
4.75|15.88 2.13 1.15
2.28 7.34 0.82 0.33
1.28 2.56 0.81 0.16 0.16
3.12 0.16
3.90 0.31 0.78 0.16
2.81 5.32 0.99 0.09 0.49 0.21
V.
§ Cases Deaths
1.42 3.27 0.62 0.09 0.35 0.18
1.38 0.69 1.04
3.31 1.74 0.97 0.18 0.35
4.13 5.08 0.95 0.69 0.43
1.37 4.26 0.86| 0.09 0.26 .
0.59 4.11 0.54 0.17 0.09
0.16
2 30
3.02 0.43
2.38 4.60 1.10 0.11 0.41 0.17
VI.
§ Cases Deaths .
2.71 7.05 0.95 0.17 0.95 0.17
0.93 1.08 0.77 0.15 .... .. ..
3.59 2.34 1.72
2.55
8.99 0.89 0.59 0.15 ....
2.83|3.29 1.94 0.29 0.45
1.74 6.41 1.(2 0.29 0.87 0.29
0.29
..
2.47 1.04 0.13 0.52
0.06 0.30 0.28
VIII.
§ Cases Deaths .
4.51 4.19 1.61
2.80|1.25 0.62
1.22 2.49
4.53
6.99 0.60 0.30 0.30
2.19 7.97 0.88 0.59|0.29
...
....
0.78 2.71 0,19
2 97
2.23 0.37
2.37 3.51 1.32
IX.
( Cases Deaths .
1.69 4.56 0.72 0.28
....
..
....
....
5.45
7.75 0.58 1.73
5.57 8.07 2.51 0.56 1.68 0.28
1.72 5.41 0.25 0.25 0.25
3.08 0.21
2 87 1.03 0.41 0.21
0.11 0.73 0.11
City .
§ Cases Deaths .
2.72 5.51 0.86 0.11 0.76 0.19
0.17 0.18 0.05 0.18 0.25 ....
0.11
8.39 1.16 0.79 0.15
2.07 5.39 1.24 1.20 3.45 0.43 0.08 0.46 0.19 0.46 0.29 0.09
2.18 0.15
3.11 0.57 0.28 0.15
2.26 4.22 0.91 0.14 0.42 0.17:
....
..
..
....
1.99 5.09 0.39 0.59 0.39
3.66 10.22 2.12 0.19
2.29 5.16 0.96 0.19 1.34 0.39
2.13 2.61 0.19
0.18
....
..
...
..
....
..
0.17
. . . .
...
..
1.35 2.69 0.68 0.14 0.14
0.59 3.02 0.13 0.26
.. .
....
. ...
....
....
0.56
2.73 0.27
4.78 0.96 0.27 0.14
....
0.56 3.84 0.29 0.29
2.91 0.26
2.11 0.53
2.67 4.12 0.65 0.04 0.26 0.18
....
0.64 0.32
0.31
0.70 0.93 1.63
0.23
3.95 3.26 2.79 0.23 0.47
....
2.95 4.14 1.22
X.
§ Cases Deaths .
1.04 2.43 0.36 .. .. 10.69 ....
1.90 0.32 1.90 0.32 .
....
....
1.33 1.23 0.90 2.62 2.45 1.22
3.73
. ·
0.28 1.53 0.42
.... 0.13
....
....
... .
....
....
III.
§ Cases Deaths .
3.77 6.27 0.42 1.39 2.19 0.36
0.21 1.05|
0.60 0.36
1.35 .. ..
0.16
....
VII.
§ Cases Deaths .
2.01 7.55 1.02
0.88 0.14
1.14 2.41 0.85 0.43 0.43
1.54 1.96 2.09 0.14
·
3.71 6.81 1.09 0.22 0.22
2.81 4.04 2.63
1.39
1.97 0.74 0.33 0.16
1.94 3.02 0.82 0.06 0.23 0.23
1.32 2.13 0.32
1.60
3.36 0.48 0.16 0.16
1.71 3.95 0.74
0.05 0.27 0.19
DEPARTMENT.
HEALTHI
1.30
1.52 3.55 0.97
0.13 0.13
....
1.88 2.19 1.88
·
....
....
Typhoid Fever.
268
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Undertakers.
Under the provisions of section 44 of chapter 78 of the re- vised laws of 1902, sixteen persons have been duly licensed as undertakers, and two petitions for such licenses refused.
Examiners of Plumbers.
The public statutes provide for a board of examiners of 1 plumbers, consisting of the chairman of the board of health, the inspector of buildings, and an expert at plumbing, to be ap- pointed by the board of health. This board appointed Duncan C. Greene, the inspector of plumbing, to fill the place of expert. The number of licenses granted will be found in the report of the inspector of buildings.
Regulations.
The following health regulations have been adopted since the publication of the Somerville Municipal Manual of 1901, which contained the regulations then in force : -
CITY OF SOMERVILLE. IN BOARD OF HEALTH, November 4, 1901. 5
Ordered, that the following regulation be and hereby is adopted :-
REGULATION FOR BARBER-SHOP.
The place of business shall be kept at all times in a cleanly condition. Mugs, shaving-brushes and razors shall be sterilized by immersion in boiling water after every separate use thereof. A separate clean towel shall be used for each person. Alum, and other material used to stop the flow of blood, shall be used only in powdered form, and applied on a towel. The use of powder puffs is prohibited. The use of sponges is prohibited. Every barber-shop shall be provided with running hot and cold water. No person shall be allowed to use any barber-shop as a dormitory. Every barber shall cleanse his hands thoroughly immediately after serving each customer.
The penalty provided for violating the above regulation is a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE. IN BOARD OF HEALTH, July 21, 1902.
Ordered, that the following regulation be and hereby is adopted :-
The Board of Health hereby adjudges that the exercise of the trade or employment of keeping one or more cows in the city of Somerville is a nuisance, hurtful to the inhabitants, injurious to their estates, dan- gerous to the public health, and attended by noisome and injurious odors, and hereby prohibits the keeping of one or more cows within the limits of the City of Somerville, without a written permit from this board.
Every person keeping a cow shall cause the place where it is kept to be well ventilated and drained, and kept at all times in a cleanly and wholesome condition. Such permit may be revoked at any time when such revocation shall appear to the board to be necessary for the public health and safety. All such permits shall expire on the first day of May annually.
Chapter XI. of the regulations of this board is hereby repealed.
269
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE. IN BOARD OF HEALTH, August 19, 1902. S
Ordered, that the following regulation be and hereby is adopted :-
No person other than members of this board and its agent and per- sons authorized by one of said members, or by said agent, shall approach nearer than one hundred and fifty feet of the hospital buildings now or hereafter located near North street in Somerville, and used for the recep- tion of persons having smallpox.
Whoever violates the foregoing regulation shall forfeit not less than ten dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for each offence.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE. IN BOARD OF HEALTH, November 9, 1903. S
Ordered, that the following regulation be and hereby is adopted :-
The Board of Health hereby adjudges that the exercise of the trade of employment of keeping one or more hens in the City of Somerville is a nuisance, hurtful to the inhabitants, injurious to their estates, dan- gerous to the public health, and attended by noisome and injurious odors, and hereby prohibits the keeping of one or more hens within the limits of the City of Somerville, without a written permit from this board.
Every person keeping hens shall cause the place where they are kept to be well ventilated and drained, and kept at all times in a cleanly and wholesome condition. Such permit may be revoked at any time when such revocation shall appear to the board to be necessary for the public health and safety. All such permits shall expire on the first day of May annually.
Health Department Account.
CREDIT. 1
Appropriation
$43,827 80
Receipts :-
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, conta- gious diseases
115 82
Middlesex Paper Company, paper
1,413 00
City of Cambridge, contagious diseases
465 00
Hannibal S. Pond, offal
1,100 00
Milk inspector, milk fees
132 04
Permit fees
68 00
Public Buildings
Maintenance, School-
houses, janitors
39 00
Total credit
$47,160 66
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
Salary of agent
$1,200 00
Salary of superintendent of collection of ashes and offal
1,100 00
Salary of inspector of animals and pro- visions
800 00
Salary of inspector of milk and vinegar
800 00
Salary of bacteriologist
622 58
Collecting ashes
13,761 75
Collecting offal
11,982 00
Stable expenses
1,438 00
Amount carried forward
$31,704 33
270
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward
$31,704 33
Wagons, sleds, and repairing same
1,570 95
Tools and repairing same
237 40
Harnesses and horse clothing
360 01
Horses and horse doctoring
1,291 46
Hay and grain
4,488 94
Vaccine virus
10 20
Burying dead animals
122 00
Books, stationery, printing and postage
108 15
Office expenses, milk inspector
20 36
Bacteriological laboratory
26 70
Telephones
137 21
Smallpox cases
725 03
Smallpox hospital
· 514 50
Incidentals
249 76
Compulsory vaccination
4,526 71
Board of agent's horse
319 00
Care of diphtheria and scarlet fever cases,
57 38
Horseshoeing
690 57
Total debit
$47,160 66
ALLEN F. CARPENTER, Chairman, ALBERT C. ALDRICH, M. D., EDMUND S. SPARROW,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF BACTERIOLOGIST.
Somerville, January 26, 1904.
To the Board of Health of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith present the report of the bacteriol- ogist for the year 1903.
During the latter part of December, 1902, in accordance with your vote, a laboratory was established at the city hall and regu- lar bacteriological examinations were commenced upon January 1, 1903.
During the year, 817 examinations were made of cultures for the diphtheria organism, 137 examinations made of sputum from patients suspected of having tuberculosis, 72 examinations to detect the Widal reaction in typhoid fever, and seven examina- tions for making a diagnosis of malaria in patients showing symptoms of that disease.
With the beginning of the year your board established regu- lations, which required, in cases of diphtheria, that no patient should be released from quarantine until two consecutive nega- tive cultures had been obtained from the patient, one by the attending physician and one by a physician representing the board, thus making the work more extensive than had been pre- viously required. Culture stations were also established at four different parts of the city, which were later increased to six in number, to more generally accommodate the physicians of the city, at which places, in connection with the laboratory, culture outfits and sputum bottles could be obtained. The outfits for typhoid fever and malaria were to be obtained at the laboratory only. To avoid delay in the examination of specimens, it was required that all specimens should be sent to the laboratory at the' city hall, thus obviating any delay through the culture stations. Specimens left at the city hall as late as midnight are placed in the thermostat immediately, making it possible for a result to be obtained early the next morning.
Diphtheria .- Eight hundred and seventeen cultures have been examined for diphtheria, 387 being in males, and 430 in females. Diphtheria being a disease of children, 282 of these examinations have been made in children under five years of age, 199 in those from five to ten years of age, 125 from ten to twenty and 185 in adults over twenty years. In twenty-six cases the age of the patient was not stated. Three hundred and sixty examina- tions were made for the diagnosis of the case, ninety-four prov- ing positive, and 266 negative. Of the positive results fifty-six were of cases in which the attending physician's diagnosis of diphtheria was confirmed, eleven in which the clinical diagnosis was tonsilitis, and twenty-seven in which no definite diagnosis was made. Of the 266 negative examinations, thirty-five were obtained in which the clinical diagnosis was diphtheria, 122 in which the diagnosis was tonsilitis, and 109 in which no diagnosis had been made.
272
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Four hundred and fifty-seven cultures were taken for release of patients from quarantine, ninety-five of which were positive, and 362 negative. The importance of taking release cultures is demonstrated by these figures, over fifty per cent. of the patients showing the presence of the bacilli in the throat after the clinical evidence of the disease has disappeared. In five examinations there was no growth upon the serum tube.
Tuberculosis .- One hundred thirty-seven examinations have been made of sputum suspected of containing the tubercle bacil- lus, twenty-six of which were positive and 111 negative. In thirty cases, a definite diagnosis of this disease had been made by the attending physician, but in four of them the organism could not be detected. In the remainder of the cases, seventy-four were stated as not showing evidence of the disease, and in thirty- three cases no statements were made giving information as to its character. Although printed directions accompany each outfit, telling how the specimen should be obtained, it has not been un- usual for specimens to be sent to the laboratory containing only saliva from the mouth with no secretion from the lungs or bron- chial tubes. Physicians should be urged to give definite in- structions to each patient, relating to the collection of the sputum, for in some instances a negative report would mislead both physician and patient. Consumption, to-day, is recognized as an infectious disease, and all persons afflicted with it should be instructed in the modern methods for preventing its spread. In some cases this is not done by the attending physician, and it would seem wise for your board to require that this disease be reported to you, as other infectious diseases are to-day, and that printed instructions and advice be sent to each patient ill with the disease. The decrease in the death rate of consumption, and the cure of persons afflicted with it, is due to the improved and in- telligent manner with which cases are treated, and the preven- tion of further spread of the disease is a subject which is of im- portance to all local boards of health.
Typhoid Fever .- Seventy-two examinations of the blood of patients suspected of having typhoid fever have been made, twenty-seven of which proved positive. In twenty-nine cases a positive diagnosis of this disease had been made by the attending physician ; in six, it was definitely stated not to be typhoid fever ; and in the remainder, no statement was made relating to the diagnosis.
Malaria .- Seven examinations were made of the blood of patients suspected of having this disease, all of which proved negative, and the disease cannot be considered as one of promi- nence in this city.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. MORSE, M. D.,
Bacteriologist.
-....
.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS.
Somerville, January 1, 1904.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-I submit the following report as inspector of . animals and provisions for the year ending December 31, 1903.
I have inspected, examined, condemned, and caused to be de- stroyed,-3,863 pounds fresh beef, 169 pounds corned beef, 453 pounds veal, 34 calves, 9 livers, 221 pounds fresh pork, 94 pounds mutton, 569 pounds poultry, 1,192 mackerel, 1,263 herring, 1,167 pounds cod and haddock, 65 pounds halibut, 723 pounds pollock, 14 boxes smelts, 181 pounds swordfish, 39 lobsters, 116 crabs, 3 bushels clams, 15 quarts clams, 1 bushel oysters, 212 cabbage, 39 . bushels potatoes, 17 bushels sweet potatoes, 11 barrels greens, 13 barrels squash, 4 bushels parsnips, 5 bushels carrots, 5 boxes celery, 14 crates tomatoes, 683 bananas, 54 boxes berries, 15 boxes lemons, 3 barrels and 8 boxes oranges, 8 bushels apples, 6 bushels pears.
Twelve hundred and ninety-three horses have been ex- amined for contagious diseases, of which fifty-one were quaran- tined, forty-nine being subsequently killed, and two released.
One hundred and forty-five cows kept within the confines of the city have been examined, as required by the state board of cattle commissioners. One, which was quarantined, was after- ward killed, it having tuberculosis. All cow barns in the city have been measured.
The bakeries and restaurants throughout the city have been inspected. I find great improvement in them as to cleanliness.
Stores, markets and peddler carts to the number of 1,448 have been examined.
The number of animals killed at the five slaughtering estab- lishments in the city was as follows: 1,127,458 swine, 329,517 sheep, 54,969 calves, 23,494 cattle ; total, 1,535,438.
I have performed the duties as agent for the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals to the best of my ability.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES M. BERRY,
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR.
Somerville, January 1, 1904.
To the Board of Health :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith submit my report for the year end- ing December 31, 1903.
I have issued 258 licenses to sell milk, cream, and condensed milk. I have collected and analyzed 575 samples of milk from stores, and 241 from wagons on the street, making a total of 816 samples collected and analyzed.
I found it necessary to send only sixty-one notices that milk was below the standard, which shows that our supply of milk is the best of my three years in the office.
I have collected and tested thirty-six samples of vinegar, and have made no complaints, as they all practically stood the test of Massachusetts standard.
I have inspected butter wagons as I found them on the street. None of these are licensed to sell oleomargarine, but several stores have been so licensed.
Three hundred and ninety stores and 135 wagons have been licensed to sell milk. Five wagons have been licensed to sell cream, one to sell skimmed milk, and two condensed milk. There are about 2,800 cans, or 5,600 gallons of milk delivered to families in the city every day, and about fifty cans of cream.
I have had one butter complaint from a citizen, and found upon analysis it was renovated butter, and so reported to the complainant. He was not sure of the store where he bought it so nothing further was done.
Several citizens have brought samples of milk for analysis, reports of which have been made to them. I wish to repeat my last year's invitation to any citizen who thinks the milk he re- ceives is not up to the standard, to have it tested free of charge by bringing a sample to my office. Milk of the quality required by law is what every one is entitled to receive, and my duty is to see if they get it. Therefore, I ask every citizen's co-operation.
I have paid to the city treasurer the following amounts :-
For licenses
$129 00
For postage stamps
1 18
For cans and stoppers sold
1 86
Total
$132 04
275
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
The city treasurer has received from court fines imposed through the prosecutions of this office the sum of $188, as fol- lows :-
1 milkman, for coloring milk $50 00
1 milkman, for selling poor milk
10 00
6 storekeepers, for selling poor milk, $10 each 60 00
1 storekeeper, for watering his milk 50 00
1 storekeeper, for selling poor milk 15 00
1 storekeeper, for selling milk without license
3 00
Total
$188 00
making the total returned to the city from this office $320.04. I spent eight days in court.
My office, at 310 Broadway, is open every day from 7 A. M. to 10 P. M.
Respectfully, JULIUS E. RICHARDSON, Inspector of Milk and Vinegar.
Telephone, 21837 Somerville.
SUPPORT OF POOR DEPARTMENT.
Board of Overseers of the Poor. EDWARD B. WEST, President. ALBERT W. EDMANDS, Vice-president. HERBERT E. MERRILL.
Committees. ON FINANCE, INVESTIGATION AND RELIEF, AND CITY HOME. - Mr. West, Mr. Edmands, and Mr. Merrill.
Secretary. CORA F. LEWIS.
General Agent. CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
City Physician. ALVAH B. DEARBORN, M. D.
Warden of "City Home." J. FOSTER COLQUHOUN.
Matron of "City Home." MRS. CATHERINE COLQUHOUN.
Office. City Hall Annex, Highland Avenue.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
OFFICE OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, Somerville, Mass., December 31, 1903. )
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen, of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-According to our usual custom, we herewith submit our annual report for the year 1903.
Owing to the increase in expenditures, especially for the support of the insane, the appropriation amounting to $21,630 was not sufficient to pay the bills of this account, by some $1,491.11. The aid to families has been about the same as in 1902, although less coal was given; but the high prices the first of the year more than balance the smaller quantity, making the cost about the same. Families have been aided to dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, and groceries, in about the same quan- tities as in 1902. Aid in burials has cost the city about one-half of what it did last year. There have been 218 families aided dur- ing the year, comprising 1,119 persons. The city home and Somerville hospital are of great value in the work of the depart- ment. Nine state paupers have been committed to the state hos- pital at Tewksbury.
The amount paid out for the support of the insane poor, in- cluding the feeble-minded and dipsomaniacs, has been $16,651.44. We shall need about one-quarter of this amount for this purpose the next year, owing to the fact that the bills for their support will be paid by the state after January 1, 1904. The last quarter of this year, from October 1 to December 31, however, will have to be provided for in the appropriation of 1904. The law authoriz- ing the state to take charge of the insane January 1, 1904, was passed in 1900, and is as follows :-
1900. Chapter 451.
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARE OF THE INSANE BY THE STATE BOARD OF INSANITY AND TO ESTABLISH THE STATE COLONY FOR THE INSANE.
SECTION 1. The Commonwealth, from and after the first day of January in the year nineteen hundred and four, shall, by the officers and boards authorized thereto, have the care, control and treatment of all insane persons who are now cared for by the Commonwealth, or by any city or town, or by any board of officers thereof, or who may be com- mitted to the institutions of the Commonwealth established by law for the care of the insane; and no city or town shall hereafter establish any asylum or other institution for the care of the insane, nor after said date
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