USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1917 > Part 13
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99
Deaths at hospital for contagious diseases and tuber- culosis
41
Deaths at home for aged poor (Highland avenue)
48
Deaths at city home
11
Deaths at other institutions
38
DEATHS BY AGES.
AGES.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Under one
.
One to two
28
16
12
Two to three
10
5
5
Three to four
13
7
6
Four to five
11
5
6
Five to ten
20
11
9
Ten to fifteen
16
11
5
Fifteen to twenty
18
7
11
Twenty to thirty
54
24
30
Thirty to forty
56
29
27
Forty to fifty
102
54
48
Fifty to sixty
119
52
67
Sixty to seventy
184
89
95
Seventy to eighty
186
77
109
Eighty to ninety
99
43
56
Ninety and over
15
4
11
Total
.
1067
506
561
64
136
72
121
189
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Mortality in Somerville in 1917.
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
Diptheria.
1
4
3
1
4
1
2
1
1
1
3
2
24
Typhoid fever.
1
2
1
1
6
Measles
1
1
2
Cerebro-spinal meningitis.
1
1
2
(B. Other General Diseases. )
Septicæmia
1
2
1
1
1
6
Pernicious anæmia.
1
1
1
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
12
Cancer intestines
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
9
Cancer stomach
4
3
3
2
2
3
17
Cancer rectum
1
1
Cancer uterus
2
1
3
1
2
1
1
1
2
14
Cancer other forms
1
1
1
1
3
2
4
3
1
2
6
27
Diabetes
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
4
3
9
74
Tuberculosis other forms
2
1
1
1
3
1
2
11
Abscess
1
3
Erysipelas
2
1
1
2
6
Hernia
2
2
Purpura hemorrhagica
1
Syphilis
1
1
3
Rachitis
1
1
La grippe
1
1
Septic anthritis
1
2
1
4
Rheumatism
1
1
1
3
Status lymphaticus
1
1
Lead poisoning
1
1
Otitis media
1
1
II. DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Meningitis
2
1
2
1
7
9
13
6
S
5
8
6
5
3
10
5
85
Paralysis
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
10
Hemiplegia
1
1
1
1
2
6
Eclampsia
1
1
2
1
1
Eucephalitis
1
1
2
III. DISEASES OF THE CIRCULA- TORY SYSTEM.
Heart disease
13
18
6
4
12
7
3
2
3
5
10
5
88
Endocarditis
2
1
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
2
3
18
Myocarditis
1
2
1
3
1
1
2
3
2
1
3
23
Angina pectoris.
1
9
Aneurism of aorta
1
1
Regurgitation
1
3
1
3
3
1
3
1
1
17
Pericarditis
1
1
IV. DISEASES OF THE RESPIRA- TORY SYSTEM.
Pneumonia
26
16
16
14
7
7
2
1
2
7
9
12
119
Bronchitis
5
3
2
2
1
1
14
Pulmonary œdema.
3
1
2
S
Asthma
2
1
4
Influenza
1
1
1
3
Empyema
Myxodema
1
1
Cancer breast
1
3
1
Tuberculosis pulmonary
4
7
12
6
9
8
4
3
5
1
1
1
1
Acidosis
1
Apoplexy
Locomotor ataxia
Myelitis
Neurasthenia
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
1
2
12
1
190
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Mortality in Somerville in 1917. - 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
Colitis
1
1
1
Gastritis
1
1
2
Peritonitis
2
1
5
1
1
2
2
14
Diarrhœa
1
1
1
2
4
Enteritis
1
1
1
3
2
2
1
3
2
16
Intestinal obstruction.
1
2
1
1
1
1
Appendicitis
1
1
1
Intestinal toxæmia
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
4
Cholera infantum
2
VI. DISEASES OF GENITO-URI- NARY SYSTEM.
Bright's disease
1
2
2
1
2
7
Nephritis
7
6
3
4
4
5
2
4
7
5
47
Cystitis
1
1
2
Prostatitis
1
1
1
3
VII. CHILDBIRTH.
Placenta previa Childbirth
2
1
3
VIII. DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND CELLULAR TISSUES.
Gangrene
1
1
Impetigo contagiosa
1
IX. MALFORMATIONS.
Hydrocephalus
1
1
X. EARLY INFANCY.
Malnutrition
1
3
2
1
1
8
Premature birth and congenital debility
3
4
5
9
6
6
4
8 |
4
6
3
6
64
XI. OLD AGE.
Senile dementia
2
1
1
3
1
2
1
11
Arterio sclerosis
15
18
15
10
10
5
12
9
10
9
10
7
130
XII. VIOLENCE.
Accidental strangulation.
Railroad
1
2
3
Suicide
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
10
Accidental burns from hot water
1
1
1
1
4
Accidental gas poisining
1
Fracture of skull
1
1
1
1
1
5
Surgical shock
1
1
Accidental poisoning
1
1
...
2
Run over by auto
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
Accidental burns
1
1
1
1
2
6
Homicide
1
1
1
Electrical shock
1
1
Unknown
1
1
1
Total.
122
129
101
108
98
82
56
67
61
68
82
93 1067
Population (estimated)
90,500
Death rate per thousand.
11,77
1
Gastric ulcer
Gall stones
1
1
2
7
3
Cirrhosis liver
2
5
Uræmia.
1
3
2
1
2
Accidental fall.
1
1
1
Heat stroke.
1
Accidental drowning
1
1
..
3
191
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health.
This board has adjudged that the diseases known as acti- nomycosis, anterior poliomyelitis, anthrax, Asiatic cholera, cerebro-spinal meningitis, chicken-pox, diphtheria, dog-bite (re- quiring anti-rabic treatment), dysentery, German measles, glanders, hookworm disease, infectious disease of the eye, lep- rosy, malaria, measles, mumps, pellagra, plague, pneumonia (lobar only), rabies, scarlet fever, septic sore throat, small pox, tetanus, trichinosis, tuberculosis (all forms), typhoid fever, typhus fever, whooping cough, 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 conveniently printed and addressed are supplied to them for the purpose. On receipt of a card from a physician, the principal of the school in the district in which the patient resides, the librarian of the public library and state board of health are notified.
Specimens and Supplies.
Outfits for specimens 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 :-
R. A. Peckham, 154 Perkins street.
Edward Edwards, 25 Union square.
Willis S. Furbush & Co., 1153 Broadway.
Hall Drug Co., Hobbs building, Davis square.
Ernest B. McClure, 529 Medford street.
John Morrison, 288 Highland avenue.
Richardson Pharmacy, 310 Broadway.
George E. Wardrobe, 693 Broadway.
Hereafter the Agent of this Board will collect, daily, at five o'clock, p. m., all specimens left at culture stations for ex- amination, prior to that hour.
Physicians desiring reports on the following day, of speci- mens taken after this collection has been made must deposit the same at the City Hall Annex, in the receptacle provided, before nine-thirty p. m.
Results of all examinations of specimens received at the City Hall Annex prior to nine-thirty p. m., will be reported to the physicians on the following morning.
Table Showing Comparison Between 1916 and 1917 in Prevalence, Deaths Reported and Percentage of Deaths of Scar- let Fever, Diphtheria, Typhoid Fever and Tuberculosis.
TUBERCULOSIS ALL FORMS.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
Cases
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
Reported.
Number of
Deaths.
Percentage
of Deaths.
1916 1917 1916 1917 1916 1917!
1916 1917 1916 1917 1916 1917
1916 1917 1916 1917 1916
1917
1916 1917 1916 1917 1916
1917
January
19
12
11
15
3
1 27.1 6.6
1
18
14
5
4 27.7
28.0
18
15
1
6.6
11
24
3
4 27.1| 16.6
February
24
35
1
4.1
12
28
4
3 33.3 10.7
2
1
1
5.00
15
13
10
14 66.6
March
14
24
1
4.1
14
25
1
1
7.1 4.0
3
April
10
13
23
30
2
4
8.7 13.3
May
10
12
4
19
2
10.5
2
21
12
4
419.0
33.3
July
1
3
3
6
1
16.6
7
2
10
14
8
3 80.0
21.4
August
3
6
1
1
33.3|16.6
14
7
1
1
7.1 14.2
1
5
1
20.0
15
21
11
6 73.3
28.6
September
3
14
14
21
1
7.1 4.7
2
2
2
100.0
13
21
8
7|61.3
October ..
1
27
15
24
3
3 20.0 12.5
1
4
1
25:0
11
12
10
4 90.9
33.3
December
78.6
Total
119
209
2
3
1.7
1.4
159
255
21
24 13.2
9.4
16
25
1
6
6.2
24.0
187
184
108
85 57.7
46.2
ANNUAL REPORTS.
33.3
November
8
34
29
38
2
2
6.9
5.2
1
2
1
50.0
9
14
6
11 33.3
71.4
22
23
9
8 40.9
18
1
1
11.1
5.5
1
1
June .
19
17
16
7 84.2
41.2
2
14
14
5
10 35.7
107.6
1
33.3
20
9
16
7 80.0
77.7
.
Cases
Cases
Cases
of Deaths.
of Deaths.
of Deaths.
192
34.7
8
14
1
Deaths from Scarlet Fever, DIphtheria, Typhoid Fever, and Tuberculosis in the Last Ten Years.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
TUBERCULOSIS ALL FORMS.
MONTHS.
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
January
11
6
13
11 10 14 10
16
February
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
March
9
3
7
9
4
8
5|
3
7
April
6 10
7
6 13
8
8
9
5 10
May
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
June ..
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
July
3
1
1
1
-
3
1
...
·2
2
2
1
1
1
1
...
..
1
1
1
3
-
1
1
1
2
5
9
10
6
10
6
1
8
7
..
*2
1
1
4
3
3
3
1
...
1
3
1
1
2
·)
1
-
1
7
7 11 11 10
4 14
6
6|11
December
..
Total
11
27
20
15
14
13 25 18 21 24
9
8
6
6
6
6
11
-
99
91
87 95 74
108|85
:
1
-
.:
1
1
-1
21
8 8
8 5 10
6 9 10
11
1
1
1
2
2
..
1
1
1
1
1
8 10 12 10
4
7
8
9
8
5
5 9 11
5
5
7
3
1
8
2 10
9
7
6
9
3
August
5
4
7
6
4
3
4
11
6
September
1
9
5.
6
6
5
9
7
6
10 4
November
2
3
..
..
.. .
. .
..
1
2
1
..
1
1
..
...
..
. .
1
1
1
1
7
..
1
October.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
193
9
8
8
5
4
1
7
10 14
1
1
5
4
4
2
8
5
194
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Table of Deaths During the Last Ten Years.
Year.
No. of Deaths.
Rate per 1,000
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
1914
990
11.65
1915
1,003
11.55
1916
1,081
12.01
1917
1,067
11.85
Average death rate per 1,000 for ten years
12.27
Table Showing the Five Principal Causes of Death in Somerville in 1917.
ARTERIO SCLEROSIS.
PNEUMONIA.
HEART DISEASE.
TUBERCULOSIS ALL FORMS.
APOPLEXY.
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.
130
14.4
119
13.2
88
9.8
85
9.4
85
9.4
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 dem- onstrated, 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 authori- ties. Every effort is made to protect the health of the chil- dren and to co-operate with the parents in keeping the children in as normal a condition as possible.
195
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
In accordance with the provisions of the statute, tests of sight and hearing are made by the principals or teachers.
The districts and inspectors are as follows :-
District No. 1 .- Prescott, Hanscom, Davis, Edgerly and Boys' Vocational 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, Burns and Girls' Vo- cational 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. Edgar F. Sewall, 281 Broadway.
Parochial Schools .- Inspector, Dr. M. W. White, 21 Wal- nut street.
During the year, 6,744 children have been referred to the inspectors during their daily visits, and 579 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 :-
2
Measles
111
Whooping cough
1
Chicken pox .
102
Mumps
26
Scarlet fever
4
Tuberculosis
1
Total
247
2. Diseases of the nose and throat :-
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
730
Inflammatory diseases
215
Other abnormal conditions
128
Total
1,073
3. Diseases of the eyes :-
Inflammatory conditions of the eyes and lids 6
Foreign bodies and injuries
1
Other abnormal conditions
.
131
Total
138
Diphtheria
1.96
ANNUAL REPORTS.
4. Diseases of the ears: -
Inflammatory conditions
10
Other abnormal conditions
22
Total
5. Diseases of the skin:
Pediculosis
672
Impetigo
88
Scabies
15
Eczema
28
Tinea
10.
Herpes .
20
Miscellaneous conditions
140
Total
6. Miscellaneous diseases :--
Constitutional diseases
Diseases of the digestive system .
39
Diseases of the respiratory system
161
Diseases of the circulatory system
15
Diseases of the lymphatic system
1
Diseases of the nervous system
61
Diseases of the urinary system
2
Wounds and injuries
37
Diseases of the teeth
235
Other conditions
48
Total
599
Total number of diseases reported
3,062
Vaccinations performed
341
Examinations for vaccinations
1,388
Certificate to work
22
Bacteriological Department.
The work of this department was performed by Frank L. Morse, M. D., medical inspector of the board, until August 14, 1917, when he entered the United States Army, Medical Offi- cers' Reserve Corps, and has since received a captain's commis- sion.
Since the above date the work has been done by Herbert E. Bowman, Ph. G., Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, whose report is appended to this report.
Undertakers.
Under the provisions of Section 44 of Chapter 78 of the Revised Laws of 1902, twenty persons have been duly licensed as undertakers.
Examination of Plumbers.
The public statutes provide for a board of examiners of plumbers, consisting of a 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
32
973
197
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
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.
Health Nurses.
There are, at present, two nurses employed by this Board as school nurses. It is very necessary and this Board recom- mends that two or more nurses be appointed and that all these nurses be employed as health nurses their duties to be deter- mined by this Board as necessity requires.
Regulations.
A new set of regulations has been compiled and adopted by this Board and copies of the same distributed among the physicians and other persons.
RALPH F. HODGDON, M. D., Chairman, R. M. LAVENDER, WARREN C. BLAIR,
Board of Health.
Attest :
LAURENCE S. HOWARD, Clerk.
198
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Report of the Medical Inspector.
Somerville, Mass., January 1, 1918.
To the Board of Health of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith present the report of the acting medical inspector for the year 1917, including the statistics of the contagious disease hospital.
Visits.
SCARLET FEVER. Each case has been inspected before re- lease from quarantine and 190 visits were made at the homes of patients to determine that the condition of the patient was suitable for release.
DIPHTHERIA. Before patients are released from quaran- tine two successive negative cultures must be obtained and dur- ing the year 125 visits were made for this purpose.
Daily visits have been made at the contagious hospital.
Contagious Disease Hospital.
Diseases
Admitted
Discharged, Well, or Improved
Dead
Scarlet Fever
. 71
68
Diphtheria
167
150
18
Tuberculosis
56
32
22
Erysipelas
6
11
1
Infantile Paralysis
2
2
Pneumonia
1
1
Total
303
264
41
The daily average of patients was 13.66 in the contagious department and 15.56 in the tuberculosis department, a total of 29.22.
Respectfully submitted, C. CLARKE TOWLE, Medical Inspector.
199
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Report of Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
Somerville, Mass., January 1, 1918.
To the Board of Health, Somerville, Mass. :-
Gentlemen :- Following is the report of the inspector of animals and provisions, including tables showing the amount of work accomplished.
Articles Condemned.
Meats.
Sausage, 16 pounds; corned shoulder, 7 pounds; fowl, 440 pounds; fresh beef, 111 pounds; swine, 3 (whole); corned beef, 121 pounds; fresh pork, 54 pounds; veal, 24 pounds; salt pork, 28 pounds; spare ribs, 41 pounds; liver, 1 (whole) ; Frankfort sausage, 19 pounds; lamb, 80 pounds.
Fish.
Salmon, 8 pounds; oysters, 5 quarts; flounders, 112 pounds; smelts, 12 pounds; haddock, 112 pounds; butter fish, 12 (whole) ; haddock, 16 (whole) ; halibut, 7 pounds.
Fruit.
Bananas, 7 dozen; lemons, 11 dozen; grape fruit, 81/2 boxes; blue- berries, 16 quarts; grape fruit, 5 crates; watermelons, 20; apples, 15 bushels; cantaloupes, 61/2 crates; apples, 1 barrel; peaches, 14 baskets; strawberries, 256 quarts; plums, 8 baskets; blackberries, 123 quarts; grapes, 7 baskets; oranges, 21/4 boxes.
Vegetables.
Potatoes, 26 bushels; celery, 12 bunches; squash, 23 barrels; rhubarb, 2 boxes; cabbage, 2 bushels; rhubarb, 52 pounds; cabbage, 35 heads; asparagus, 56 bunches; lettuce, 30 heads; tomatoes, 9 baskets; lettuce, 21 bushels; carrots, 1 bushel; cauliflower, 38 heads; greens, 12 bushels; turnips, 1/2 bushel; summer squash, 2 bushels; string beans, 12 bushels; cucumbers, 2 bushels; radishes, 52 bunches; onions, 1 bushel; corn, 4 bushels.
Eggs.
Eggs, 8 dozen.
There have been less articles condemned during the past year, than for many years previous, owing to the fact that deal- ers have been obliged to purchase their stock very conservitably and thereby no large surplus has been carried by any dealer. As a rule their stock has been fresh and in good condition.
Inspections for 1917.
The following table shows the number of inspections made during the past year. Constant supervision is kept over all es- tablishments handling food products, to safeguard the con- sumer. Bakeries, lunch-carts and restaurants have each been inspected weekly.
Conditions in the Ice Cream and Candy Factories in the
200
ANNUAL REPORTS.
city are greatly improved. All factories in the city have been inspected monthly. A constant inspection is made of Barber Shops and they are required to be kept in a sanitary condition, at all times, and the barbers to keep themselves neat and clean and to properly sterilize their utensils.
Stores and Markets
4805 Barber Shops 157
Pedlers
2927 Rendering Houses .
148
Lunch Rooms
1014 Candy and Ice Cream Factor- .
143
Bakeries
885 ies: 123
Fish Markets
835 Blacksmith Shops
108
Yards and Cellars
731 Hide Houses
77
Hen Houses
708 Grease Wagons
54
Houses and Cellars
363 Milk Stables
35
Factories
356 Theatres
19
Slaughter Houses .
256 Laundries
14
Public Halls
9 Public Halls
9
Slaughter Houses.
During the year weekly inspections have been made at all slaughtering establishments. Inspections have also been made of all animals for infectious diseases. The slaughtering houses have been improved. The slaughtering business in this city has been increased; during the last year Somerville was one of the largest slaughtering centres in the United States.
Number of Animals Slaughtered in 1917.
Swine
1,168,047
Sheep
221,184
Calves
95,196
Cattle
29,445
Total
1,513,872
Animals.
There has been a steady decrease of glanders in this city for the past four years, and I believe it is due in part to dis- continuance of public drinking fountains for horses, and a thorough disinfection of stables and blacksmith shops. Each stable and shop is now in first class sanitary condition. In 1913 there were 55 horses killed for glanders; in 1914, 30; in 1915, 10 ; in 1916, 13; but eight of these were in one stable and in 1917 only nine were killed, thus showing a large decrease in the disease.
Animals Examined in 1917 for Contagious Diseases.
Quarantined Killed
Released
Horses
Inspected 3,272
12
9
3
Swine
883
....
....
....
Cows
89
....
....
....
Sheep
5
....
....
....
Dogs
5
1
....
1
Goats
1
....
....
....
Total
4,255
13
9
4
Stables
.
1351 Vacant Lots .
201
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
As agent of the board of health, I have been on duty nights and Sundays most of the time to convey patients to the Con- tagious Hospital, by ambulance.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES M. BERRY, Inspector.
202
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Report of the Inspector of Milk and Vinegar and Acting Bacteriologist.
CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, City Hall Annex,
Somerville, Mass., January 1, 1918.
To the Board of Health of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I herewith present my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
On the above date there were in this city licensed to sell milk, 454 stores and 64 dealers, and 64 stores to sell oleo- margarine.
Of the 64 dealers, 23 are located in this city and 31 in the neighboring cities and towns, and 10 dealers have discontinued business.
There are approximately 22,097 quarts of milk and 1,636 quarts of cream distributed in Somerville daily, and 25 deal- ers selling pasteurized milk supply over eighty-five per cent. of this amount.
Table 1.
Months.
Licenses
Issued.
License
Fees.
Analytical
Fees.
Cash Paid
City Treas.
Analyses
Total
Dept.
January
13
6.50
6.80
13.50
32.50
46.00
February
11
5.50
5.50
37.00
42.50
March
8
4.00
3.50
7.50
82.00
89.50
April
13
6.50
.50
7.00
22.00
29.00
May
351
175.50
3.00
178.50
24.50
203.00
June
113
56.50
3.00
59.50
8.00
67.50
July
15
7.50
7.50
86.50
94.00.
August
4
2.00
.50
2.50
35.00
37.50
September
7
3.50
3.50
11.00
14.50
October.
27
13.50
1.00
14.50
17.00
31.50
November
13
6.50
2.00
8.50
9.50
18.00
December
7
3.50
1.00
4.50
7.00
11.50
Total
582
291.00
21.30
312.50
372.00
*684.50
on Account.
Income for
* In addition to above, fines imposed amounted to $550.00. Total included in this item were court fees amounting to $9.30.
203
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Table 2. Samples of Milk, Cream, Ice Cream and Vinegar Examined.
Months.
Chemical
Samples
Collected.
Bact.
Collections.
Lorenz
Tests.
Total
C'ollections.
Samples
left at
Office.
Total
Examina-
tions.
January
160
80
15
255
15
270
February
196
72
28
296
61
357
March
196
74
270
63
333
April
190
236
12
438
132
570
May
264
99
28
331
43
374
June
216
119
99
464
45
509
July
234
179
151
564
13
577
August
309
77
59
445
153
597
September
263
150
413
51
464
October
176
100
276
11
287
November
167
97
194
458
32
490
December
150
12:
84
356
18
374
Total.
2491
1405
670
4566
63
5203
Table 3.
Months.
Chemical
Notices.
Bart.
Notices.
Sanitary
Notices.
Total
Notices.
Inspections.
Infected
Samples.
January
23
16
4
43
276
February
11
10
21
179
March
37
27
56
140
.)
April
10
20
3
33
226
2
May
9
5
26
40
266
June
14
32
38
84
31
July
40
28
12
80
20
August
31
3
34
17
September
5
9
3
17
10
October
3
31
56
10
November
19
1
25
12
December
1
8
Total
187
175
145
507
1187
4
City Inspection.
The city inspection is of a routine character and has been conducted with a few exceptions in practically the same man- ner as in former years with the same object in view ;- to obtain for Somerville a safe clean milk supply as well as one that will conform to all legal standards, and covers the supervision of milk at the receiving stations, the taking of temperatures, ex-
204
ANNUAL REPORTS.
amination of utensils and wagons, examination of milk from dairies for visible dirt and bacteriological standard, inspection of milk plants and stores and the taking of samples of milk at railroad stations, teams, stores, lunch rooms and hotels.
Laboratory work consists of the analysis of milk, cream, butter, ice cream and vinegar, chemically and bacteriologically, with the exception of butter and vinegar (which are not exam- ined for bacteria.)
During the year there have been 27 examples of mothers' milk analysed. Physicians are invited to take advantage of the opportunity offered to have mothers' milk analysed without expense and are requested to use the utmost care in securing a representative sample.
Court Cases.
Twenty-two cases in lower court paid fines of ($330.00) three cases in superior court, two paid $200.00; one defaulted. Total fines $550.00.
As in previous years I desire to express my appreciation of the very efficient assistance rendered this department by the city solicitor.
This year in January there was held at Springfield, Mass., a state-wide competition in market milk. This contest was un-
205
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
der the direction of the State Board of Agriculture and the Massachusetts Dairyman's Association. The rules of the con- test were that, local milk Inspectors should take samples con- sisting of four one pint bottles of milk from the wagons of each dealer, the samples to be representative of his load for that day. The samples were packed and shipped to Amherst Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass., where they were examined chemically and bacteriologically by the instructors at Amherst College, working in conjunction with an expert sent from Washington, to assist them. The six highest scores were averaged and the standing of the city entering obtained in this manner. This contest resulted in Somerville receiving the second prize, a silver cup, a cut of which is shown on preceding page.
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