USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1911 > Part 21
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Express
35 37
Postage and Telephone
26 82
Sundries
6 03
5,501 53
EAST SOMERVILLE READING ROOM.
RECEIPTS.
City Appropriation
.
$195 35
EXPENDITURES.
Books
$90 65
Periodicals
.
104 70
195 35
Amount carried forward
$27,548 90
272
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Amount brought forward . $27,548 90
UNION SQUARE READING ROOM. RECEIPTS.
City Appropriation . . .
$184 45
EXPENDITURES.
Books
$184 45
Isaac Pitman Art, Books and Pictures .
184 45 57 37
Total expended under the Trustees
$27,790 72
On account of building maintenance, the Commissioner of Public Buildings, re- ceived :-
For Central
$3,750 00 1,750 00
For West Somerville Branch
5,500 00
Total operating expenses .
$33,290 72
r
BOARD OF HEALTH. 1911.
WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Chairman. JACKSON CALDWELL. WILLIAM P. FRENCH.
Clerk and Agent to Issue Burial Permits. GEORGE H. GALPIN.
Agent. CALEB A. PAGE.
Medical Inspector. FRANK L. MORSE, M. D.
Inspector of Animals and Provisions. CHARLES M. BERRY, V. S.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar. HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Ph. G.
Plumbing Inspector. DUNCAN C. GREENE.
Superintendent of Collection of Refuse and Garbage.
EDGAR T. MAYHEW.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, City Hall, January 1, 1912. -
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-We respectfully submit the following as the thirty-fourth annual report of the board of health, in which is presented a statement, tabulated and otherwise, of the sanitary condition of the city and the business of the board for the year ending December 31, 1911 :-
Nuisances.
A record of nuisances abated during the year, in compli- ance with notices issued by the board, or under the board's direction, is presented in the following table :---
Complaints investigated and cause removed :-
Animals kept in cellar
2
Ashes and rubbish in yard
42
Buildings, foul odor in
4
Cellars, water in
16
Cellars filthy
6
Committing nuisances in buildings .
4 26
Dumping grounds, papers blown from
Fish, foul odors from
5
Garbage thrown in yards
1
Manure heaps, foul odor from
12
Milk rooms, screens not on
-
14
Privy vaults, foul odor from
1
Sewer openings, foul odor from
1
Stables offensive
Stores (bakeries) whitewashed
Screens not on carts .
Screens not on fruit store .
1
Screens not on bakeries
5
Standing water, foul odor from
3
Standing water under stables
7
Tenements overcrowded
4
Tenements filthy
3
Tenements unsanitary
2
Unlicensed animals
6
Unclassified ·
8
Water-closets, foul odors from
37
Water-closets without water
4
Yards filthy
106
Total 419
Number of nuisances abated 419
Number of nuisances referred to board of 1911 8 Number of nuisances complained of 427
In addition to the above, 269 dead animals have been re-
9
Garbage collected unlawfully
23
Plumbing unsanitary
Poultry yards as a nuisance
11
Slops thrown on ground or from window
9
26
12
8
Complaints investigated, no cause found
1
275
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
moved from the public streets, and many nuisances have been abated on verbal notice from the agent, without action by the board, of which no record has been made. Each spring the whole city is examined, and cellars, yards, and alleyways where rubbish and filth have collected are required to be cleaned.
Glanders .- Forty-seven cases of glanders have been re- ported during the year. Prompt action was taken in every case, and forty-one of the horses were killed, six being re- leased from quarantine by order of the cattle commissioners.
Permits.
The record of permits to keep cows, swine, goats, and hens, and to collect grease is as follows :-
Cows .- Thirty-one applications were received for permits to keep seventy-three cows. Twenty-seven permits to keep sixty-five cows were granted, and four permits were refused.
Swine .- Eighteen applications were received for permits to keep thirty-seven swine, sixteen of which were granted to keep thirty-four swine. The fee is one dollar for each swine.
Goals .- Three applications were received for permits to keep three goats, all of which were granted. The fee is one dollar for each goat.
Hens .- One hundred and two applications for permits to keep 1,690 hens were received. Eighty-three permits to keep 1,358 hens were granted, and nineteen permits were refused.
Grease .- Twelve applications were received for permits to collect grease. Twelve permits were granted. The fee is two dollars. Five of the parties licensed reside in Somerville, two in Charlestown, three in Cambridge, one in Boston, and one in Malden.
Melting and Rendering .- Four parties have been licensed to carry on the business of melting and rendering, under the pro- visions of the revised laws of 1902, chapter 75, section 111, for which a fee of one dollar is charged.
Pediers.
Three hundred and three certificates of registration were issued to hawkers and pedlers during the year under the pro- visions of ordinance number 29-an increase of 114 over the year 1910. Each pedler is required to present a statement from the sealer of weights and measures, showing that his measures have been properly sealed, before a certificate is issued to him. Pedlers are also required to present their vehicles at the police station the first Monday of each month for inspection by the agent of the board, that he may see if they are kept in a clean condition, and are properly marked with the owner's name and number.
276
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Since May 3, 1911, in pursuance of action taken by the board on that date all pedlers have been required to pay a fee of one dollar for each certificate of registration issued. The majority of the pedlers had renewed their certificates prior to this date for the year 1911, and, therefore, there were only $74 realized from this source. As is shown by the number of certificates issued there will be a large increase in this revenue the coming year.
Ashes and Offal.
The collection and disposal of ashes, garbage, and other refuse materials was under the control of the board of health, and a competent superintendent was employed to take charge of this department. December 30, 1911, an ordinance was passed, to take effect January 1, 1912, transferring the collection of refuse and garbage to the highway department.
To do this work eighty-four men are employed, and the de- partment owns and uses thirty-six horses, twenty ash carts, five paper wagons, and fourteen garbage wagons.
Ashes .- The ashes and non-combustible materials are de- posited upon the city dumps at Winter Hill and West Somer- ville. The contract awarded to Paul N. Raymond for the use of the incinerator plant and the materials brought there by the board of health wagons was terminated in April, and the con- tract awarded to Demenico Stefano at $85 per month from September 1.
During the year 53,020 loads of ashes and 3,140 loads of refuse material have been collected and disposed of.
The arrangement of districts and days of collection is as follows :-
DISTRICT NO. 1-MONDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory between Boston and Cambridge lines and the fol- lowing line: Beginning at Mystic avenue, running through Cross street, Prospect-hill avenue, Stone avenue, across Union square to Webster avenue, Prospect street to Cambridge line.
DISTRICT NO. 2-TUESDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory between the line of District No. 1 and the follow- ing line: Beginning at Mystic avenue, through Temple street, across Broadway, through Marshall street, to Medford street, Walnut street, to Bow street, Somerville avenue to Hawkins street, Washington street, Perry street, Wyatt street, to Concord avenue, to Cambridge line.
DISTRICT NO. 3-WEDNESDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory between the line of District No. 2 and the follow- ing line: Beginning at Mystic avenue, Medford line to Main street, to Broadway, to Central street, to Somerville avenue, Park street to Cam- bridge line.
DISTRICT NO. 4-THURSDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory between the line of District No. 3 and the follow- ing line: Medford line, Broadway to Cedar street, to Elm street, Moss- land street, to Cambridge line,
27
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
DISTRICT NO. 5-FRIDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory between the line of District No. 4 and the follow- ing line: Medford line, Warner street to College avenue, to Davis . square, Elm street, to Russell street, to Cambridge line.
DISTRICT NO. 6-SATURDAY COLLECTION.
All the territory west of the line of District No. 5.
Offal .- During the year the board has continued to dispose of the city offal at its garbage plant adjacent to the city stables. This offal is sold direct to farmers and others, and is handled in a thoroughly sanitary and satisfactory manner. The demand for the garbage has exceeded the supply, and in its disposal there has been an entire absence of objectionable features. The financial returns to the city are large.
During the year 8,100 loads of offal have been collected.
Two collections are made in each district weekly, and dur- ing the summer months an extra collection is made at hotels, stores, and other establishments producing large quantities of offal.
A communication was received from the board of aldermen, as follows :-
In Board of Aldermen, March 23, 1911.
Resolved: That, in the opinion of this board, it is advisable that a change be made in the rules of the board of health relative to removal of ashes, rubbish, and house dirt, to provide that barrels or other re- ceptacles containing same for removal shall be placed on the outer edge of the sidewalk, as formerly, or on the land of the tenant or occupant at the line of the sidewalk, as in the opinion of this board the benefit received from the present system is not sufficient to warrant the additional expense, and such change is desirable as a matter of economy.
A true copy of a resolution adopted by the board of aldermen March 23, 1911.
Attest :
FREDERIC W. COOK, City Clerk.
In the opinion of the board of health it was not advisable to at once make such a decided change, but on the first of October the change was made, after sending out circular notices to the citizens as follows :-
Notice: On and after October 2, 1911, all receptacles containing ashes and refuse to be removed by the city teams must be placed on the outer edge of the sidewalk before the arrival of the teams on the day of collection. Employees of the city will not be allowed to enter the premises for the purpose of removing ashes or refuse to the sidewalk, or of replacing empty receptacles, after that date. No change will be made in the days of collection in the various districts or in the present method of collecting garbage.
Per order of the board of health.
DR. WESLEY T. LEE, Chairman, JACKSON CALDWELL, WILLIAM P. FRENCH.
278
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The above plan for collecting ashes and refuse has been followed since the date of issuing the notice, and up to the pres- ent time no communications have been received by the board of health objecting to the change.
Stables.
Under the provisions of sections 69 and 70 of chapter 102 of the revised laws of 1902, nine petitions for licenses to erect and use stables were received, and all were granted.
Board of Infants.
Seventeen parties, whose applications were first approved by this board, have been licensed by the state board of charity to care for thirty-seven children, in this city, under the pro- visions of chapter 83 of the revised laws of 1902.
Deaths.
There were 1,035 deaths and seventy-five stillbirths in the city during the year, as specified in the following table, which shows a decrease of deaths under the previous year of eight.
Deaths at Somerville hospital during the year
73
Deaths at hospital for contagious diseases and tuberculosis
34
Deaths at home for aged poor (Highland avenue),
36
Deaths at city home .
9
Deaths at other institutions
10
DEATHS BY AGES.
AGES.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Under one
One to two
31
18
13
Three to four
8
4
4
Four to five
6
1
5
Five to ten
17
8
9
Ten to fifteen
9
3
.6
Fifteen to twenty
13
7
6
Twenty to thirty
ɔ̃5
24
31
Thirty to forty
81
29
52
Forty to fifty
102
57
45
Fifty to sixty
115
57
58
Sixty to seventy
165
75
90
Seventy to eighty
164
80
84
Eighty to ninety
80
32
48
Ninety and over
10
3
7
Total
1,035
500
535
166
96
70
Two to three
13
6
7
279
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. Mortality in Somerville in 1911.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
I. GENERAL DISEASES. (A. Epidemic Diseases.)
Scarlet fever
1
1
1
3
Diphtheria
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
15
Typhoid fever .
1
1
6
Erysipelas
2
2
1
1
Dysentery
1
1
1
2
Measles
1
1
1
1
Cerebro spinal meningitis
1
1
(B. Other General Diseases.)
Septicemia
2
1
2
1
6
Rheumatism
1
1
2
Pernicious anæmia
2
1
1
1
2
1
8
Cancer of anus
1
1
1
2
Cancer of breast
1
2
1
1
7
Cancer of face
1
2
....
1
1
5
Cancer liver and kidneys
1
1
L
1
...
1
.
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
2
16
Cancer of jaw and throat
1
. . .
2
Cancer of uterus
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
9
Cancer of pancreas
1
1
Cancer of oesophagus
1
1
Sarcoma of throat
1
1
2
2
2
6
1
1
1
2
1
6
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
8
8
8
7
4
6
10
77
1
1
1
2
3
2
3
2
2
1
18
Tuberculosis of intestines .
3
Tuberculosis of femur
1
1
1
. .
II. DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Meningitis
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
5
3
16
7
13
5
7
6
7
10
7
8
5
7
9
91
Paralysis
2
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
1
13
Convulsions
1
2
1
4
Neuritis .
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
11
Epilepsy
1
1
1
1
1
2
5
Lateral sclerosis .
1
1
1
. .
III. DISEASES OF THE CIRCULA- TORY SYSTEM.
Atheroma
1
Heart disease
15
17
12
12
12
14
9
9
8
6
6
8 128
Endocarditis
2
4
1
2
..
1
4
3
3
20
Myocarditis
2
1
3
1
3
1
1
2
2
16
Pericarditis
2
Angina pectoris
2
1
1
2
6
Heart exhaustion
16
IV. DISEASES OF THE RESPIRA- TORY SYSTEM.
Pneumonia
17
19
13
9
9
7
3
8
12
15
121
Bronchitis
1
1
3
3
5
3
1
1
2
2
22
Pulmonary œdema
Pleurisy .
1
1
Laryngitis
1
1
2
Bronchial asthma
..
. .
1
1
Cancer of lung
2
1
Cancer of lymph nodes
1
1
1
2
1
8
Cancer of ovary
1
1
2
Cancer of pylorus
1
1
1
1
Cancer intestines
1
2
6
Cancer of stomach
Whooping cough .
Tumor
Diabetes
Malaria
4
4
6
.
3
Purpura hemorrhagica
1
.
..
1
1
Hemiplegia
2
2
Locomotor ataxia
1
3
Eclampsia
1
.
·
1
1
16
....
....
1
6
1
2
1
1
..
....
1
Cancer of bladder
2
Cancer of bowel
2
2 22
6
1
La grippe
Smallpox
.
..
Tuberculosis
12
Tubercular meningitis
Apoplexy
Cerebro embolism
1
280
ANNUAL REPORTS.
MORTALITY IN SOMERVILLE IN 1911 .- Concluded.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
V. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
Acute indigestion
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
Colitis
Gastritis
..
2
1
1
7
Diarrhoea
3
4
7
Ptomaine poisoning
1
1
Gastric ulcer
1
1
1
1
3
9
2
1
3
1
23
Hernia
1
1
Ulcer of duodenum
2
1
.. .
. .
2
1
2
1
1
7
Hemorrhage of rectum
1
1
Pylorus stenosis
VI. DISEASES OF GENITO-URI- NARY SYSTEM.
Bright's disease
2
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
14
Uraemia .
1
3
6
2
3
6
2
3
2
6
2
3
39
Hemorrhage of bladder
1
1
VII. CHILDBIRTH.
Childbirth
1
2
VIII. DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND CELLULAR TISSUE.
Abscess
1
1
2
3
1
7
IX. MALFORMATIONS.
4
1
1
X. EARLY INFANCY.
Malnutrition
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
10
Asphyxia neonatorum
1
1
1
1
4
Premature birth and congenital debility
1
3
7
5
2
3
1
3
2
2
2
31
Hemorrhage of cord
1
1
Hemorrhage of bowel
1
. .
1
XI. OLD AGE.
2
2
5
2
4
3
1
2
2
25
Senile dementia
1
1
..
1
S
Arterio-sclerosis .
6
6
3
3
3
5
4
4
3
1
5
3
46
XII. VIOLENCE.
1
Railroad
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
10
Suicide
1
.
..
1
2
Burning .
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
Suffocation
1
1
1
3
Fall down stairs
1
1
1
2
Fracture of skull .
1
1
I
1
1
5
Fracture of ribs
1
1
2
Air embolism
1
1
1
1
2
Total
94
116
98
91
82
80
81
89
75
65
78
86
1035
Population ( estimated )
80,000
Death rate per thousand
.
·
12.93
.
.
1
1
Enteritis
1
. .
1
1
3
Intestinal obstruction
1
1
Appendicitis
Cirrhosis liver
1
1
1
2
1
3
Nephritis
Fistula
1
Gangrene
Hydrocephalus
Old age
2
. .
. .
.
. . .
. .
..
.. . .
1
Fracture of hip
...
Gunshot wounds
.
.
.
.
.
Peritonitis
2
1
1
4
Cholera infantum
2
3
1
3
9
1
1
1
. .
.
1
1
1
1
Drowning
....
281
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health.
This board has adjudged that the diseases known as acti- nomycosis, anterior poliomyelitis, Asiatic cholera, cerebro- spinal meningitis, diphtheria, glanders, leprosy, malignant pus- tule, measles, ophthalmia neonatorum, scarlet fever, smallpox, tetanus, trachoma, trichinosis, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, typhus fever, varicella, whooping-cough, and yellow fever are infectious, or contagious, and dangerous to the public health and safety within the meaning of the statutes. Physicians are required to report immediately to the board every case of either of these diseases coming under their care, and postal cards con- veniently printed and addressed are supplied to them for the purpose. On receipt of a card from a physician, the superin- tendent of schools, the principal of the school in the district in which the patient resides, and the librarian of the public library are notified, and state board of health.
Scarlet Ferer .- One hundred nine cases of scarlet fever have been reported during the year, three of which resulted fatally. In 1910 there were 336 cases, five of which resulted fatally.
Diphtheria .- One hundred eighty-three cases of diphtheria have been reported during the year, fifteen of which were fatal. In 1910 there were 226 cases, twenty of which proved fatal. Anti-toxin has been provided by the state board of health, and placed by this board in central locations for use by physi- cians in cases where people are unable to purchase the same. Culture tubes for diphtheria and sputum bottles for suspected tuberculosis have been obtainable at the same stations.
Warning cards are used in dealing with scarlet fever and with diphtheria, and the premises are fumigated by the use of the formaldehyde gas. regenerator, immediately after the termi- nation of the case. An inspection is made by the agent of the board of the premises where diphtheria is reported, and all sanitary defects discovered are required to be remedied as soon as possible.
Tuberculosis .- One hundred fifty-four cases of tuberculosis have been reported during the year. There were seventy-seven deaths from this disease.
Typhoid Fever .- Forty-three cases of typhoid fever have been reported during the year, six of which have proved fatal. In 1910 there were fifty-seven cases reported, six of which were fatal.
Typhus Fever, Cholera .- No cases of typhus fever or cholera have been reported the past year.
Smallpox .- One case of smallpox has been reported during the year, which proved fatal.
-
282
· ANNUAL REPORTS.
Number of persons with diphtheria or scarlet fever taken in am-
bulance to hospital by agent 128
Number of cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria for which houses
were placarded 292
Number of premises disinfected by agent . . 720
It will be seen by the foregoing figures that, in addition to the 562 premises infected with scarlet fever or diphtheria, 428 other premises were disinfected. Thirty-one disinfections were made at the request of attending physicians whose patients had been ill with typhoid fever or cancer. Two hundred ten schoolrooms were disinfected, 140 for scarlet fever, seventy for diphtheria, and 125 premises for tuberculosis, in compliance with the regulations passed by this board.
Many library books have also been disinfected, and quan- tities of infected bedding and other material have been burned.
TABLES.
The prevalence of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever in the city during the several months of the year 1911 is shown by the following table, and in the table next following 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 1911.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Reported.
Number of
Percentage
of Deaths.
January
14
1
7.1
22
1
4.5
1
25.
February
15
20
4
20.
March .
12
1
8.3
15
1
6.6
April
9
12
. .
...
17
1
5.8
1
...
....
June
11
....
....
23
1
4.4
0
....
....
July
2
. .
..
....
7
1
14.2
3
...
August
1
....
....
13
1
7.7
7
2
14.2
September
1
....
....
10
2
20.
S
2
25.
October
7
....
...
15
1
6.6
3
...
November
17
1
5.8
14
1
7.1
10
....
....
December .
8
....
....
. .
..
....
....
Total
109
3
2.7
183
15
8.2
43
6
13.9
. .
...
17
1
5.8
3
....
May
1
100.
..
10
2
Deaths.
Cases
Cases
·
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Deaths from Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever in the Last Ten Years.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909
1910.
1911.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
January
4
February
1
March
:
:
1
2312
:: : :
.
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
June
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
July
1
2
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
2
1. 1
1
1
October
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
4
1
4
November
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
3
3
1
.
1
1
1
..
: : :
Total .
.
3 10 3 4 1 12
4 9
5
19
19 14 17 15' 9 11 27 20 15
6,10 11
9 11 11| 9 8 6 6
-
-
.
Table of Deaths During the Last Ten Years.
Year.
No. of Deaths.
Rate per 1,000.
1902
890
13.69
1903
955
14.25
1904
964
13.87
1905
968
13.83
1906
1,004
13.94
1907
997
13.47
1908
903
11.96
1909
988
13.08
1910
1,043
13.45
1911
1,035
12.93
Average death rate per 1,000 for ten years
13.44
Table Showing the Five Principal Causes of Death in Somerville in 1911.
HEART DISEASE.
PNEUMONIA.
APOPLEXY.
TUBERCULOSIS.
CANCER.
Number of Deaths.
Number per
10,000 of Pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
10,000 of Pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
10,000 of Pop.
Number of
Deaths.
Number per
10,000 of Pop.
Number of
Deaths .
Number per
10,000 of Pop.
128
16
121
15.1
91
11.4
77
9.6
66
8.2 .
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
1
1 HHHAN 1
118
1
1
1
1
April
1
H.
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
September
1
2
2
.
1 NHH.
1 CTCON:
2
3
1
4
2
3
1
1
.
-
-
-
3
- N. CONH
1 1 111.200
1
2
2
2 2 2 NONN. COCH
1
1
1
3
1 1
1
May
1
2
1
2 1 1 1: HHN
.
December
1
3
1
·
2
:
:
.. :
1 :
1
H. 1
1
1
August
1
1
-
283
284
ANNUAL REPORTS.
. Medical Inspection of Schools.
The medical inspection of the schools of Somerville, which was instituted in December, 1907, has been continued during the year. The value of the system has been constantly demon- strated, and the work has been done in a very satisfactory man- ner. There has been harmony of action between the board of health and the school board, and the school principals and teachers have very generally co-operated with the inspectors in making the system as successful as possible.
The inspectors make daily visits to the schools under their charge, and to them are referred all children who show evi- dences of disease or abnormal conditions. Children who are found to be unfit to remain in school are sent home, accom- panied by a slip properly filled out advising that the family physician be consulted. The inspectors also make an annual inspection of all the children in the schools, and any defects discovered are called to the attention of the parents. Monthly inspections of the school buildings and premises are made, and suggestions or criticisms are referred to the proper authorities. Every effort is made to protect the health of the children and to co-operate with the parents in keeping the children in as normal a condition as possible.
It is extremely desirable that one or more school nurses should be employed to supplement and make more effective the work of the inspectors, and it is to be hoped that funds will be available to carry out this project.
In accordance with the provisions of the statute, tests of sight and hearing are made by the principals or teachers.
During the year 5,804 children have been referred to the inspectors during their daily visits, and 1,022 have been sent home because of illness.
The following list will show the classes of diseases and de- fects which have been found in the schools, except defects of sight and hearing :-
LIST OF DISEASES AND NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED.
1. Infectious diseases :-
Measles ·
16
Whooping cough
5
Chicken pox
22
Mumps
2
Total
45
2. Diseases of the nose and throat :-
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
747
Inflammatory diseases 91
Other abnormal conditions 11
Total
. 849
285
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
3. Diseases of the eyes :-
Inflammatory conditions of the eyes and lids Foreign bodies and injuries
104
9
Other abnormal conditions
82
Total .
195
4. Diseases of the ears :-
Inflammatory condition
13
Other abnormal conditions
10
Total
5. Diseases of the skin :-
Pediculosis
1,093
Impetigo
59
Scabes
19
Eczema
28
Tinea
16
Herpes
11
Miscellaneous conditions
58
Total . .
1,284
6. Miscellaneous diseases :-
Constitutional diseases 4
Diseases of the digestive system
52
Diseases of the respiratory system
127
Diseases of the circulatory system
23
Diseases of the lymphatic system .
76
Diseases of the nervous system
9
Diseases of the urinary system
4
Wounds and injuries
15
Other conditions
106
Total
416
Total number of diseases reported 2,812
Vaccinations performed .
702
The districts and inspectors are as follows :- .
District No. 1 .- Prescott, Hanscom, Davis, and Edgerly schools. Inspector, Dr. Francis Shaw, 57 Cross street.
District No. 2 .- Baxter, Knapp, Perry, and Bell schools. Inspector, Dr. Edward J. Dailey, 46 Bow street.
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.