USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1913 > Part 21
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"But the spirit of the library turns on us sad eyes of re- buke when we dwell too long on her function as educator of workers and voters. She first and last offers to us, at"their best, the things for which we work and live. She gives us books gathered from all lands and ages, selected, adapted to mood and taste and capacity, and books are not only or chiefly tools of trade, but the nourishment and tonic and solace of the soul. Come to this palace of reading, she calls, accept the freedoni of its tables and shelves, command the best attendance and ad- vice we can give, and spend your hour or your evening here in the company of the brightest minds, the noblest characters, the bravest workers of your kind; and go hence, as after a mental and moral bath, and a feast at a full table, not only better fitted for your calling as worker and citizen, but a wiser, larger, purer,
285
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
happier man; for here as nowhere else in such opulence, you will find 'the friendship of books,' whose acquaintance and in- fluence 'quickens the intelligence, refines the taste, enlarges the understanding, diversifies the experience, warms the heart and clarifies the soul.' Of all the ministries of a city to its citizens is there any to surpass. to equal this? It invites all the people into the aristocracy of intelligence and character. The best that life has to give man, at his best and highest, it makes the universal prerogative of the whole body of citizenship.
"Shall our Somerville be a city of the latest and coming type, in which the ideal of citizenship is not only to share power, and to seize privilege, but to serve the welfare of all? This li- brary is a pledge that such our city means to be. Its building is an embodied vision of the library of the future in the city of the future. Let us, my fellow citizens, use it, support it, in full faith and generosity, and the vision of today will be the fact of tomorrow."
BOARD OF HEALTH. 1913.
WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Chairman. JACKSON CALDWELL. JOHN A. BLASER.
Clerk and Agent to Issue Burial Permits. LAURENCE S. HOWARD
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.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH, City Hall, January 1, 1914.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen,-We respectfully submit the following as the thirty-sixth 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, 1913 :-
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 causes removed :---
Animals offensive .
10
Blacksmith shops whitewashed .
9
Cellars, water in
13
Cellars, filthy
14
Cesspools removed
2
Defective garbage houses
5
Dirty milk utensils
7
Factories filthy
1 2
Garbage thrown in yards
14
Hens being kept without permit .
34
Hens running at large .
6
Milk license not posted
8
Milk must be kept on ice
14
Milk rooms, screens not on .
8
Plumbing unsanitary
16
Roosters annoying neighbors
9
Rubbish on vacant land
7
Sewer openings, foul odors from
3
Slops thrown on ground or from window .
2
Stables offensive
19
Stables whitewashed
65
Stables ventilated .
7
Stores (bakeries) whitewashed
7
Stores and utensils dirty .
26
Tenements filthy
2
Tenements unsanitary
10
Unlicensed animals
7
Unclassified
33
Water-closets, foul odors from .
15
Water-closets without water
6
Water pipes burst
2
Water turned off, house not tenantable .
2
Yards filthy
79
Total
478
Complaints referred from 1912
8
Complaints received 1913
478
Total
486
Fish exposed for sale
Manure heaps, foul odors from
12
Privy vaults, foul odors from
288
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Complaints referred to 1914 .
Nuisances abated 1913 .
Second, third, and fourth notices
nuisances
480 sent on 27 Total notices sent . 507 6
In addition to the above, 244 dead animals have been re- 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 .- Sixty-five cases of glanders have been reported during the year. Prompt action was taken in every case, and fifty-five of the horses were killed, ten being released 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 .- Twenty-one applications were received for permits to keep fifty-seven cows. Eighteen permits to keep forty cows were granted, and three permits were refused.
Swine .- Nine applications were received for permits to keep seventeen swine, all of which were granted. The fee is one dollar for each swine.
Goats .- Three applications were received for permits to keep three goats which were granted. The fee is one dollar for each goat.
Hens .- One hundred and sixteen applications for permits to keep 2,107 hens were received. Eighty-nine permits to keep 1,634 hens were granted, and twenty-seven permits were refused.
Grease .- Ten applications were received for permits for twelve teams to collect grease. Ten permits were granted. The fee is two dollars for each team.
Melting and Rendering .- Two 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.
Pedlers.
Two hundred and eighty-four certificates of registration were issued to hawkers and pedlers during the year under the provisions of ordinance number 29-an increase of thirty over the year 1912. Each pedler is required to present a statement from the sealer of weights and measures, showing that his measures and scales have been properly sealed, before a certifi- cate is issued to him. Pedlers are also required to present
289
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
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. A fee of one dollar is charged for each registration.
Stables.
Under the provisions of sections 69 and 70 of chapter 102 of the revised laws of 1902, twenty-four petitions for licenses to erect and use stables were received, sixteen were granted, seven were refused, and action on one is still pending.
Board of Infants.
Twenty-eight parties, whose applications were first ap- proved by this board, have been licensed by the state board of charity to care for fifty-six children in this city, under the pro- visions of chapter 83 of the revised laws of 1902.
Deaths.
There were 993 deaths and fifty-one stillbirths in the city during the year, as specified in the following table, which shows an increase of deaths over the previous year of ten :-
Deaths at Somerville hospital during the year 61
Deaths at hospital for contagious diseases and tuberculosis
34
Deaths at home for aged poor (Highland avenue),
53
Deaths at city home
11
Deaths at other institutions .
21
DEATHS BY AGES.
AGES.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Under one
166
105
61
One to two
26
10
16
Two to three
13
8
5
Three to four
8
4
4
Four to five
5
3
2
Five to ten
10
7
3
Ten to fifteen
7
4
3
Fifteen to twenty
17
12
5
Twenty to thirty
49
16
33
Thirty to forty
73
40
33
Forty to fifty
71
35
36
Fifty to sixty
114
63
51
Sixty to seventy
160
72
88
Seventy to eighty
175
75
100
Eighty to ninety
80
26
54
Ninety and over
19
7
12
Total
.
.
993
487
506
.
290
ANNUAL REPORTS. Mortality in Somerville in 1913.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
I. GENERAL DISEASES. (A. Epidemic Diseases.)
Scarlet fever
1
1
Diphtheria
4
1
1 1 111
1
1
1
1
13
Typhoid fever .
2
1
1
-1
Dysentery .
2
1
1
4
Measles
2
1
2
5
Infantile Paralysis
1
1
Pertussis
(B. Other General Diseases.)
Septicemia
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Rheumatism
Pernicious anæmia
Cancer of thigh
Cancer of bladder
1
1
2
Cancer of face
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
9
Cancer of prostrate gland
1
.
. .
. .
1
1
1
1
. .
1
2
1
10
Cancer of anus
2
4
1
3
1
2
3
1
1
2
3
23
Cancer of jaw and throat
1
1
1
1
3
Cancer of rectum
1
1
2
69 15
1
1
1
1
1
1 1
1
2
1
II. DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Meningitis
1
1
1
2
. . 5
Apoplexy
9
2
4
9
1
9
10
2
3
7
3
11
Paralysis
1
1
2
Tabes dorsalis
1
1
1
3
Hemiplegia
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
. .
1
3
1
5
. ..
Myelitis .
1
4
III. DISEASES OF THE CIRCULA - TORY SYSTEM.
A theroma
1
. ...
11
10
3
8
5
10
10
7
108
Endocarditis
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
1
2
16
Myocarditis
1
5
3
4
3
1
1
4
1
3
28
Angina pectoris
1
2
1
1
2
..
1
1
1
5
14
1
4
IV. DISEASES OF THE RESPIRA - TORY SYSTEM.
Pneumonia
16
16
10
16
10
5
4
5
5
10
23
127
Bronchitis
1
2
2
13
Pulmonary œdema
1
1
4
2
1
1
2
12
Pleurisy .
Laryngitis
1
1
. .
1
.
. .
1
Pulmonary emphyeamia
...
. .
....
..
....
. .
1
Asthma .
. .
...
1
1
9 2 4
1 1
Cancer of bowel
1
1
2
. .
2
Cancer intestines
1
Cancer liver and kidneys
1
3 5
1
3
Diabetes
7
9
4
7
4
4
6
2
9
7
3
Tubercular meningitis
2
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
Tuberculosis of peritonium
Tetanus
Tuberculosis of bowels
Actonomycosis
Tuberculosis of testicle
..
Abscess .
1
Hodgkins' disease
1
Stricture of colon
1
1
..
..
Erysipelas .
·
..
...
1
Prog. muscular atrophy
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
Pulmonary embolism
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
1
Heart disease
9
18
6
11
..
..
..
1
1
1
1
. . . . .
1
1
1
7
Tuberculosis
1
1
1
Tumor
.....
1
1
. ..
.
1
. .
1
2
1
1
2
6 2
1
1
La grippe
Cancer of breast
. .
Cancer of stomach
1
Cancer of uterus .
1
Cancer of pylorus
1
1
1
1
1
1
Epithelioma
Encephalitis
1
1
Cerebro embolism
1
2
1
3
Epilepsy
1
..
Eclampsia
Regurgitation .
2
2
2
1
1
4
..
1
. .
.
.. .
2
..
1
291
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
MORTALITY IN SOMERVILLE IN 1913 .- 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
2
1
6
Colitis
1
1
1
1
4
Peritonitis
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
8
Diarrhea
Cholera infantum
1
1
2
5
8
1
13
Ptomaine poisoning .
1
1
Gastric ulcer
3
1
1
2
1
3
10
3
1
1
26
Hemorrhage of pancreas
..
...
. .
1
2
Intestinal obstruction
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
Appendicitis
1
1
1
3
Rupture of appendix
3
1
1
2
8
VI. DISEASES OF GENITO-URI- NARY SYSTEM.
Bright's disease
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
2
.. ..
12
1
1
.
1
4
8
5
5
1
2
3
5
4
3
3
39
Prostatis .
1
Cystitis .
VII. CHILDBIRTH.
VIII. DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND CELLULAR TISSUES.
2
1X. MALFORMATIONS.
Hydrocephalus
X. EARLY INFANCY.
1
1
2
1
2
8
Asphyxia neonatorum
2
1
2
1
6
3
8
3
3
4
3
5
4
4
3
6
6
52
Stalectasis
XI. OLD AGE.
Old age .
2
1
2
1
2
1
9
Senile dementia
1
1
1
2
5
6
6
3
3
3
9
70
General malnutrition
1
1
XII. VIOLENCE.
Drowning
1
1
3
1
1
1
6
Suicide
1
1
1
1
4
Burning .
1
1
1
1
4
Suffocation
2
Accidental burns from hot water
1
1
2
Accidental gas poisoning.
1
2
2
1
1
Surgical shock
1
1
Accidental poisoning
1
1
4
Accidental shooting .
1
1
Heat prostration .
1
1
Run over by team
Fracture of Humerus
1
...
1
Total
86
121
84
89
71
75
69
78
69
74
72
105
993
Population (estimated) Death rate per thousand.
82,000
12.11
.
.
1
Cirrhosis liver
1
.
1
1
1
5
Nephritis
1
1
1
3
1
1
1 1
3
Premature birth and congenital debility
1
1
Arterio-sclerosis .
5
15
8
5
1
1
1
6
1
1
Fracture of skull .
2
. .
....
..
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
6
Gastritis
1
1
1
.. . .
1
Enteritis
1
Uraemia .
Gangrene
2
1
Malnutrition
Railroad
2
1
1
292
ANNUAL REPORTS.
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, the librarian of the public library and the state board of health are notified.
Scarlet Fever .- Two hundred eight cases of scarlet fever have been reported during the year, four of which resulted fatally. In 1912 there were 157 cases, two of which resulted fatally.
Diphtheria .- One hundred sixty-one cases of diphtheria have been reported during the year, thirteen of which were fatal. In 1912 there were 101 cases, fourteen 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. Culture tubes for diphtheria and sputum bottles for suspected tuberculosis are obtainable at the same stations.
Warning cards are used in dealing with scarlet fever and diphtheria, and the premises are fumigated by the use of formaldehyde gas immediately after the termination 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 eighty cases of tuberculosis have been reported during the year. There were sixty-nine deaths from this disease.
Typhoid Fever .- Sixty-six cases of typhoid fever have been reported during the year. six of which have proved fatal. In 1912 there were forty-three cases reported, four of which were fatal.
Number of persons with diphtheria or scarlet fever taken in ambulance to hospital by agent 173
Number of cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria for which
houses were placarded 225
Number of premises disinfected by agent . 618
It will be seen by the foregoing figures that 618 premises were disinfected. Twenty disinfections were made at the re- quest of attending physicians whose patients had been ill with typhoid fever, cancer, or other diseases. One hundred twenty- one schoolrooms were disinfected, eighty-nine for scarlet fever,
293
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
thirty-two for diphtheria, and 163 premises for tuberculosis, in compliance with the regulations passed by this board.
Many library books have also been disinfected, and quantities 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 1913 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 1913.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage of Deaths.
January
30
1
3.3
14
....
..
...
February
15
....
16
4
25.0
14
....
....
March .
26
1
3.8
12
3
25.0
. .
·
·
....
April
11
....
....
19
1
5.2
4
...
....
May
11
....
....
.
....
....
..
June
21
1
4.8
9
1
11.0
1
1
100.
July
12
....
....
6
1
16.6
4
4
2
50.
September
11
1
9.1
3
....
....
..
.
....
October
12
....
....
14
1
7.1
15
1
6.6
November
26
....
....
....
7
1
14.3
December .
30
....
....
26
1
3.8
4
1
25.
Total
208
4
1.9
161
13
8.1
66
6
9.0
Deaths from Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Typhoid Fever in the Last Ten Years.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
1904.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
February
1
11
2812
HON
1 HOW
1.200
: : 1
1
3
1
3
1
1
April
1
3
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
co .
June
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
July
1
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
. .
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
4
1
1
November
1
1
3
1.
2
1
1
4
3
3
1
2
1
1
December
1
2
2
2
3
1
2
3
3
1
1
1
:
1
.
-
-
Total
3
4
1 12
4 9
5
3
2
4
14 17 15
9 11 27 20 15 14 13
11
9 11 11
9
8 6 64 6
1
-
--
-
-
-
1
1
January .
1
1
1
1
March
1
: :
1 COM . COCO
5
2
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
September
October
1
2
2
1
1
3 1 HỌA.
1
.
: : :
May
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
-
co or
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
..
:
1
August
3
..
13
1
7.7
12
of Deaths.
Cases
.
11
1
. .
....
18
.
.
August
IJU0.
MONTHS.
294
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table of Deaths During the Last Ten Years.
Year.
No. of Deaths.
Rate per 1,000.
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
1912
983
12.13
1913
993
12.11
Average death rate per 1,000 for ten years
.
13.07
Table Showing the Five Principal Causes of Death in Somerville in 1913.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
TUBERCULOSIS.
APOPLEXY.
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
Number of
Number per
127
15.5
108
13.2
91
11.1
70
6.5
67
8.1
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 manner. 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.
10,000 of Pop.
Deaths .
10,000 of Pop.
.
295
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
It is extremely desirable that one or more additional 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. One nurse has been employed since last September.
In accordance with the provisions of the statute, tests, of sight and hearing are made by the principals or teachers.
During the year, 6,603 children have been referred to the inspectors during their daily visits, and 657 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
90
Whooping cough .
17
Chicken pox
. 43
Mumps
.86
Scarlet fever
16
Total
252
2. Diseases of the nose and throat :-
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids 510
Inflammatory diseases
53
Other abnormal conditions
82
Total
645
3. Diseases of the eyes :-
Inflammatory conditions of the eyes and lids
37
Foreign bodies and injuries .
3
Other abnormal conditions . 46
Total
86
4. Diseases of the ears :-
Inflammatory conditions
6
Other abnormal conditions 5
Total
11
5. Diseases of the skin :-
Pediculosis
960
Impetigo
56
Scabies
17
Eczema
57
Tinea
6
Herpes
19
Miscellaneous conditions 83
Total
1,198
6. Miscellaneous diseases :-
Constitutional diseases 43
Diseases of the digestive system . 94
Diseases of the respiratory system
44
Diseases of the circulatory system
16
Diseases of the lymphatic system .
34
Diseases of the nervous system .
7
Diseases of the urinary system
4
·
.
.
·
.
296
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Wounds and injuries 25
Diseases of teeth
265
Other conditions
150
Total
682
Total number of diseases reported 2,874 .
Vaccinations performed
231
·
Examinations for vaccinations . 825
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.
District No. 3 .- Bennett, Pope, Cummings, and Proctor schools. Inspector, Dr. L. H. Raymond, 146 Highland avenue.
District No. 4 .- Morse, Carr, Durell, and Burns schools. Inspector, Dr. W. L. Bond, 322 Highland avenue.
District No. 5 .- Brown, Bingham, and Forster schools. In- spector, Dr. H. M. Stoodley, 283 Highland avenue.
District No. 6 .- Lincoln, Hodgkins, Highland, Cutler, and Lowe schools. Inspector, Dr. H. Cholerton, 94 College avenue. District No. 7 .- Glines and High schools. Inspector, Dr. R. F. Gibson, 76 College avenue.
Parochial Schools .- Inspector, Dr. M. W. White, 21 Walnut street.
Hospital for Contagious Diseases.
Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria .- The hospital has continued to demonstrate its value to the city during the past year. The institution is now well equipped and in every way modern and convenient.
Miss Edith M. Grant has continued as matron, and has done excellent work. The hospital has been carried on eco- nomically, and in every particular the results have been satis- factory to the board.
The statistical report is included in the report of the medi- cal inspector.
Tuberculosis Hospital.
The tuberculosis hospital has been in operation since March 8 of the year 1911, and has proved conclusively the necessity and desirability of such an institution in our city.
There have been eighty-four patients received at the hos- pital during 1913.
The conditions shown and the results obtained in the cases received prove, also, the need of continued work along this line on a broader basis. Recent figures show that there are ap- proximately 40,000 cases of tuberculosis in Massachusetts, and that there are accommodations for not more than 4,000 pa- tients. The state is making every effort to save its people, and
297
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
each city and town should feel itself, in a manner, responsible for the progress of this work. It is to the credit of the city of Somerville that we are among the first who have established a hospital for tuberculosis, and that our hospital has been ap- proved by the trustees of hospitals for tuberculosis.
The good work accomplished and the outlook for the com- ing year promise even greater results in the future, both from the standpoint of the work actually d' . e, and the help rendered to the patients, and, last, but by no means least, the informa- tion and instruction, which is a great factor on the treatment of this disease, is being steadily pursued and given out, that those who are discharged from the hospital may know how to safeguard and care for others as well as themselves and pre- vent, so far as is possible, the spread of tuberculosis in the city.
It is very necessary that another building similar in size and construction to the present building should be built at once, as the accommodations are not adequate to provide for patients desiring admission.
Mental Disorders.
Under the provisions of Chapter 394 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1911 the Board of Health is required to provide a place for the care of and to care for persons suffering from certain mental disorders prior to their commitment to an in- stitution. At the present time this Board has no proper place at its command for the detention and care of these cases. A very suitable arrangement could be made for this work in the building suggested above.
Bacteriological Department.
The work of this department was performed by Frank L. Morse, M. D., medical inspector of the board, whose report is appended to this report.
Specimens will be received at the laboratory at the city hall daily, including Sunday, at any time, and they will be exam- ined and reported upon the morning following their reception.
SPECIMENS AND ANTI-TOXIN.
Outfits for øspecimens to be examined for tuberculosis, diphtheria, and typhoid fever, and diphtheria anti-toxin, vac- cine lymph and nitrate of silver solution may be obtained at the laboratory and at the following places :-
Adams Pharmacy, Willow and Highland avenues.
R. A. Peckham, 154 Perkins street.
Bay State Pharmacy, 173 Washington street.
Edward E. Edwards, 25 Union square.
Fred W. Gay, 524 Somerville avenue.
John Morrison, Highland avenue, corner Cedar street.
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