USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1932 > Part 20
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Diphtheria
1
43
41
3
0
Scarlet Fever
14
188
194
1
7
Tuberculosis
0
6
5
0
1
Miscellaneous
2
15
14
2
1
Daily average
18.51
LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS Diphtheria
Negative
Positive
Total
January
86
15
101
February
58
27
85
March
79
18
97
April
55
15
70
May
81
39
120
June
47
21
68
July
34
11
45
August
19
7
26
September
24
13
37
October
30
7
37
November
32
13
45
December
56
11
67
Totals
601
197
798
348
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Tuberculosis
Negative
Positive
Total
January
13
2
15
February
8
5
13
March
17
3
20
April
18
1
19
May
17
1
18
June
7
2
9
July
12
1
13
August
12
5
17
September
9
0
9
October
11
2
13
November
6
1
7
December
14
1
15
Totals
144
24
168
TYPHOID
Negative Positive
Total
January
1
0
1
February
0
0
0
March
0
0
0
April
3
0
3
May
0
1
1
June
4
3
7
July
1
0
1
August
2
0
2
September
3
1
4
October
0
0
0
November
2
0
2
December
0
0
0
Totals
16
5
21
Examinations made for Ophthalmia
and Gonorrhea
116
Total examinations
1,103
TUBERCULOSIS
During 1932 there were 15 deaths from Tuberculosis in- cluding all forms, 13 of which were of the pulmonary type.
All patients ill with the disease coming to the attention of the board have either been supervised at their homes by the public health nurses, or have been placed in sanatoria when such treatment was needed.
Six emergency cases of tuberculosis have been admitted temporarily to the Contagious Hospital while waiting for their admisson to the Middlesex County Sanatorium at Waltham.
The tuberculosis ward at the Contagious Hospital was opened from June 27, 1932, to September 3, 1932 as a Pre-
349
BOARD OF HEALTH
ventorium for children who were undernourished or lived in families where tuberculosis existed.
During this time 102 children were residents at the Pre- ventorium for a total of 1,094 days, the average stay being 11 days. Much good was accomplished among these children, marked improvement being observed in their physical condi- tion, and it should be maintained each summer.
INFANT HYGIENE CLINICS
On January 1, 1922, the board with the approval of His Honor the Mayor, assumed the care of the Infant Hygiene Clinics previously maintained by Somerville Chapter of the American Red Cross. These clinics have been held on Thurs- day afternoon at the Bennett School and Friday afternoon at the Binghgam School throughout the year. On September 29, 1925, a clinic was established at the Edgerly School and has been held on Tuesday afternoon weekly. An average attendance of 41 at the Bingham School, 8 at the Bennett School and 22 at the Edgerly School has been attained. 522 new babies have been under supervision at the clinics where advice has been given to the mothers by the attending physician, and in many instances the infants have been visited at home by the public health nurses in order that the advice may be properly follow- ed out. This work is unquestionably of great value in conserv- ing the health of new-born infants.
On account of the lack of attendance of babies at the Ben- nett School Clinic, the board discontinued it on June 9, 1932 and transferred it to the Lincoln School, Teele Square, West Somerville, where it has functioned much more satisfactorily with a larger attendance than at the Bennett School. Babies at the latter clinic were cared for at the Edgerly School clinic. The average attendance at the Lincoln School was 11.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. MORSE,
Medical Inspector and Bacteriolgist.
350
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF DENTAL HYGIENE
February 8, 1933.
To the Board of Health,
Somerville, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :-
It is my pleasure at this time to submit the third annual report of the Department of Dental Hygiene in the Somerville Schools.
Organization
There have been in continuous operation six school clinics, operating daily from nine to twelve A. M. These clinics are equipped with modern dental outfits and are operated by six capable dentists and six assistants. Each clinic has supervi- sion over five surrounding schools. Work in these clinics is limited to the first three grades and the system is to start from the third grade and work down, so that each child who is now attending the third grade, and has applied for treatment, may enter the fourth grade next year free from all oral infections, and with a knowledge of mouth hygiene. The work has not been extended to the higher grades because such an extension would perhaps be an infringement upon the field of the private prac- titioner and might seem to be paternalistic in nature.
Supplementing the work of these clinics is the hospital clinic located at the Central Hospital. This clinic is conducted twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday mornings, from nine to twelve A. M. accommodating those cases requiring a general anaesthesia or special care. It is here that those cases rec- ommended by the local clinics, such as those cases of multiple extractions, are treated. Wherever general anaesthesia is re- quired, the child is accompanied by its parent or guardian.
The enclosed table showing the operation of the depart- ment is perhaps self-explanatory. Yet, from a closer analysis much, upon reflection, may be gained.
Let it be observed that out of some five thousand (5.000) extractions, twenty-five hundred (2,500) of which were serious enough to require a general anaesthesia at the hospital clinic, all resulted favorably, there being not one single serious con- sequence.
351
BOARD OF HEALTH
In addition to the regular preventative and corrective pro- gram in the schools, the Department has this year handled nearly a thousand welfare and soldiers' aid cases. In the wel- fare work alone nearly three hundred (300) families have been given attention and over eight hundred (800) teeth extracted at a cost of only ten cents per tooth. This charge, which de- frays the cost of the material used, results in a tremendous sav- ing to the recipients of this service in that formerly they found it necessary to go to Boston for treatment at a cost of fifty cents per visit, plus the cost of their transportation to and from that city.
In addition to the ordinary extractions done in connection with the Welfare and Soldiers' Relief Departments by this De- partment, six (6) cases of antrum infection were operated upon, two (2) fractured jaws cared for, and several cases of acute alveolar abscesses were opened and drained. This re- quired skilled surgical treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
To those who give the matter any reflection it will be ob- served that the Department of Dental Hygiene not only con- tributes widely toward education and the betterment of public health, but that it is for the most part self-supporting. An analysis of the following discussion will make this clear.
Statistics presented by Pine in the July 1932 Dental Cosmos show some significant facts. A 1922 survey of New York City revealed that sixty-seven thousand (67,000) child- ren failed to be promoted because of absences, eighty per cent (80%) of which were caused by defective teeth. To duplicate a year's schooling for these absentees cost the city one million thirty-seven thousand, six hundred and ninety-six dollars ($1,037.696). In Detroit, out of one hundred and seventy thou- sand, four hundred and seventy-five (170,475) children ex- amined, a large number had defective teeth and forty-eight thousand four hundred and ninety-one (48,491) had abscessed teeth. In Atlanta, Georgia, twelve hundred (1,200) school days were saved at a value of more than ten dollars ($10.00) per day by first putting the teeth of the children of just one school in good condition. In Milwaukee in 1923 promotion failures equalled fifteen per cent (15%) of the average attendance in the public grade schools; seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-two (7,792) pupils failed to pass, and this cost the city over three hundred thousand dollars ($300.000). Thus, it will be seen that the Department of Dental Hygiene is self- support-
352
ANNUAL REPORTS
ing, if it can prevent just two hundred and three (203) child- ren from having to repeat a year of schooling. To illustrate: it has been found that it costs the city of Somerville eighty-four dollars ($84.00) a year to educate each pupil in the grade school. It costs some sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) per year to operate the Department of Dental Hygiene. From this it can be seen that if the Department can but prevent two hundred and three (203) children from having to repeat a year's schooling it will save the city seventeen thousand fifty- two dollars ($17,052), and thus more than pay for itself. Since our own survey in Somerville revealed that out of eleven thou- sand seven hundred and eighty-five (11,785) children examined fifty-five thousand (55,000) defective teeth were found, there is no question but what more than the two hundred and three (203) (203 being only one per cent of the some twenty thou- sand (20,000) in our care) necessary to make the department self-supporting were saved the necessity of repeating a grade.
From an examination made by Professor Jensen in Ger- many, and by Wallis in a representative London County Coun- cil School, it was found that the children with unhealthy mouths were in most cases below average in weight, in physique and in their studies. Oral sepsis invariably accompanies the various ailments in children. Infected teeth, from which the blood stream absorbs poison secretions, are the cause of many diseases. Lowered resistance, the stunting of mental and phys- ical growth, permanent ill health, and even death itself are the result.
After all, the work of public health can nowhere be more effective than in its preventative and corrective work among the school children. Training and education of the body is no less an important part in the educational system than is the educating of the mind. It is today, more than ever before, real- ized that in the education of the child the cost of giving dental service is far less than the loss by school absences and inef- ficiency due to dental troubles. This fact has been actively rec- ognized by one hundred and sixty-eight (168) cities and towns in the State of Massachusetts which are now doing school den- tal work. Last year over two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) school children were treated by these clinics. Since the installation of our system in Somerville it has been rec- ognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as one of the leading systems in the State, and already letters have been received from a great number of cities and towns inquir- ing into the organization of our system with a view to establish- ing theirs upon a similar basis.
Gas
Jan.
253
614
110
9
986
324
576
160
111
51
212
22
71
17
5
15
2
5
Feb.
175
482
94
16
767
380
333
148
55
30
136
14
40
11
3
9
3
2
March
233
694
197
7
1131
524
598
200
99
44
170
20
45
16
4
9
6
2
6 cases
April
264
637
172
A
1077
451
503
195
125
47
232
15
62
12
3
11
3
1 of antrum
May
387
175
465
116
15
771
387
390
133
72
48
241
19
112
12
7
1.5
1
3 infection
1
1
June
156
408
131
19
714
366
454
151
56
37
202
26
93
23
3
21
4
1 2 fractured
July
School Clinics Closed
65
298
37
139
25
10
27
5
5 jaws cared for
5
18
5
4
1
Aug.
School Clinics Closed
35
152
28
104
19
9
18
1
9
Sept.
School Clinics Closed
26
102
21
40
20
1
17
3
1 Several cases of
4
7
4
3
1
Oct.
11121
104
3
14
1 122
69
82
11
18
46
247
18
62
13
5
11
5
2 acute alveolar
3
45
2
1
2
1
Nov.
258
368
99
2
727
371
454
66
63
55
273
18
44
16
2
14
2
1 abscesses opened 2
2
2
2
Dec.
253
640
111
1004
548
530
187
75
40
171
29
47
27
2
23
3
and drained
Totals
11508
1871
4311
1044
73
7299
3420
3920
1251
674
524
2436
267
859
211
56
190
38
32
14
73
13
1
11
3
WELFARE CASES
- SOLDIER'S RELIEF CASES
Examinations
New Patients
Old Patients
Emergencies
Special Cases
No. of Patients
No. of Fillings
Extractions
No. of Cleanings
No. of Treatments
No. of Patients
No. of Extractions
No. of Cases
No. of Extractions
At Office
At Hospital
Novocaine
Gas
Ether or Gas & Ether
Surgical Operations
No. of Cases
No. of Extractions
At Office
At Hospital
Novocaine
I
-
-
-
-
I
- SCHOOL CHILDREN -
Hospital Clinic Cases
353
BOARD OF HEALTH
One cannot deny that the present as well as the future wel- fare of the community is dependent upon its youth, and the preventative and educational work done by the dental clinic is no less important than any other function of the city govern- ment.
In these times, when near-sighted, loose-thinking people in their zeal to cut down public expenses, often effect a false economy, one must be ever on guard against those who would jeopordize the health of the community by their attempts to curtail vital activities. The work of public health like public safety and public education should go on.
Respectfully submitted, ANTHONY F. BIANCHI, D.M.D. Supervisor of Dental Hygiene ..
354
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS
January 2, 1933.
To the Board of Health,
Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I submit the following as my report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
The word establishment may be construed as including all places coming within the board's jurisdiction.
Number of visits to establishments
9216
Complaints investigated
191
New bakeries registered
2
License committee meetings attended
23
Notices sent
16
CONDEMNATIONS
Beef
307 Ibs
Molasses
1/2 bbl.
Pork
267 Ibs
Vegetables
336 Ibs
Lamb
50 1bs
Rice
8 mbs
Veal
8 1bs
Sugar
6 Ibs
Poultry
88 Ibs
Crackers
2 Ms
Fish
92 Ibs
Evaporated milk
2 cans
Fruit
142 Jbs
Flour
2611 1bs
All complaints were satisfactorily adjusted.
You will note the number of visits to establishments have been substantially increased over the year 1931. This is due, to the motor transportation furnished and the accession of one inspector to the force.
During the year the importance of giving bag flour added protection has been stressed. Many of the stores have heeded this recommendation and have constructed rodent proof com- partments, with the result, that their investments have proven profitable.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY G. MURRAY,
Inspector of Animals and Provisions.
355
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND VETERINARIAN
Somerville, Mass.,
January 2, 1933.
To the Board of Health,
Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The following is my report for the year ending December 31, 1932.
During the year 1932, I have made 450 calls investigating dog bite cases. During the year there were 5 cases of rabies in Somerville in dogs. There were not any people who contracted the disease in this city
I have found it unnecessary to place any quarantine upon the dogs of the city as a whole, such as has been the case in many of our neighboring cities.
The annual barn inspection was carried out and no con- tagious or communicable diseases were discovered among any of the large animals.
Respectfully submitted,
E. WILLIAM JOHANSEN, Inspector of Animals and Veterinarian.
356
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR Chemical and Bacteriological Laboratory City Hall, Somerville, Mass., January 2nd, 1933.
To the Board of Health, Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen :
During the year seven hundred and forty-seven stores were licensed to sell milk, ninety-three dealers were licensed to dis- tribute milk and thirty-one stores were registered to sell oleo- margarine. Nine dealers located in Somerville are licensed to operate a milk pasteurizing plant. Two dealers sell cream ex- clusively. Thirty-one dealers purchase bottled pasteurized milk for distribution. Two out-of-town dealers sell raw milk from tuberculin tested cows. Three dealers sell raw certified milk and three dealers handle pasteurized certified milk. Thirteen dealers have discontinued business. An average of 40,678 quarts of milk and 2,735 quarts of cream were distrib- uted daily in Somerville according to records submitted by the dealers.
The following tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 are a summary of the work of the department for the year :
Table 1 RECEIPTS
Months
License Applications
License Fees
Analytical Fees
Cash Paid
City Treasurer
Analyses on
Account
Total Income
for Department
January
12
$6.00
$10.50
$16.50
$158.00
$174.50
February
15
7.50
10.50
18.00
183.50
201.50
March
12
6.00
3.00
9.00
175.50
184.50
April
12
6.00
3.00
9.00
197.00
206.00
May
*554
286.50
3.00
289.50
194.00
483.50
June
168
84.00
7.00
91.00
151.50
242.50
July
20
10.00
7.50
17.50
188.00
205.50
August
17
8.50
4.00
12.50
189.50
202.00
September
+26
70.00
.00
70.00
170.50
240.50
October
17
18.00
.00
18.00
189.50
207.50
November
§15
17.00
.50
17.50
194.00
211.50
December
12
6.00
.00
6.00
246.00
252.00
Total
$80
525.50
49.00
574.50
2,237.00
2,811.50
* 1 Pasteurizing License included.
# 1 Pasteurizing License included
1 6 Pasteurizing Licenses included.
§ 1 Pasteurizing License included
357
BOARD OF HEALTH
Table 2 SAMPLES EXAMINED
Months
Chemical Samples
Submitted
Bacteria Samples
Total Collections
Lorenz Tests
Samples Submitted
Microscopical
Total Examinations
January
174
182
356
110
306
249
1021
February
151
139
290
111
169
307
877
March
184
176
360
113
362
205
1040
April
218
229
447
93
365
351
1256
May
187
174
361
145
330
410
1246
June
196
170
366
109
339
181
995
July
114
188
302
75
290
226
893
August
250
181
431
143
455
243
1272
September
214
190
404
120
253
225
1002
October
125
117
242
98
175
139
654
November
152
298
450
96
401
454
1401
Decembebr 168
176
344
126
297
356
1123
Total 2133
2220
4353
1339
3742
3346
12780
Table 3 LEGAL NOTICES
Months
Chemical
Bacteriological
0 0 2 0 0 02006 Lorenz
0
32
77
May
0
65
0
22
87
June
3
52
0
5
22
82
July
1
41
0
15
32
89
August
0
31
0
30
18
79
September
0
38
0
6
16
60
October
0
28
0
0
31
59
November
1
22
0
0
30
53
December
........
0
30
0
14
15
59
Total
........
11
406
2
70
345
834
Total
January
0
20
64
84
February
0
22
0
63
85
March
2
18
0
0
20
April
4
39
Temperature
Milk Plant and
Diary Corrections
0 0
...
ollected
358
ANNUAL REPORTS
Table 4 INSPECTIONS
Months
Or Dairy, Milk Sta-
tions and R.R.
Milk and
Ice Cream Plants
Restaurants
and Stores
Total
January
122
37
217
February
39
98
15
152
March
16
114
15
145
April
14
102
12
128
May
26
108
12
146
June
21
117
168
306
July
29
87
31
147
August
16
116
24
156
September
20
93
14
127
October
49
69
4
122
November
14
130
10
154
December
17
75
20
1.12
Total
319
1231
362
1912
During 1932 license fees and fees for analyses amounted to $2,811.50. There were in 1932, 12,780 laboratory examina- tions. Sediment and microscopical examinations were carried out as routine and the Reductase test applied as occasion de- manded.
Each month during the year pint samples have been taken from each milk dealer and analyzed for food value (fats and solids) and cleanliness (bacterial count and sediment) and microscopically for types of bacteria.
The higher the fats and solids the greater food value. The lower the bacterial count, greater care in production, bet- ter handling, or more efficient pasteurization is shown. By call- ing the office of the Milk Inspector, these figures will be cheer- fully quoted.
DAIRY AND CREAMERY INSPECTION
During the year, creameries and dairies located in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Northern New York and Massachu- setts have been inspected and many corrections have been re- quested, some imperfect equipment has been condemned, and several dairies were excluded on account of unsanitary condi- tions.
359.
BOARD OF HEALTH
GRADE A DAIRIES
The major part of this grade of milk is produced in Mass- achusetts but some is produced in Vermont and New Hamp- shire. The requirements for the production of Grade A Milk are much more strict than for the regular Market Milk. Cov- ered pails, cooling to below 50° F, milk houses and better equip- ment are required.
CERTIFIED MILK
Certified milk is produced both in Massachusetts and in New Hampshire. I believe that owing to economic conditions the consumption of this grade has decreased.
WESTERN CREAMERIES
During the year there have been a few permits issued to Western Creameries to ship cream for manufacturing purposes to this city as New England is unable to supply sufficient cream for Massachusetts needs. These certificates are issued after the dealer has filed with this department a questionnaire prop- erly filled out which assures this department that the cream- ery is equipped according to Massachusetts standards and the milk is not over 24 hours' old when separated. This question- naire is accompanied by a voucher from the state or city de- partment who supervises the sanitary conditions at the plant.
QUALITY
During 1932 there has been an appreciable improvement in the average quality of the milk sold in this city both from the basis of chemical standard and bacteriological standard.
During the year there were 250 samples of Raw milk (to be used as market milk) examined microscopically and for bacteria counts; 236 samples compiled with the regulations. There were 97 samples of raw milk (to be used as Grade A Milk) examined and 90 complied with the regulations. There were 53 samples of cream from outside of New England (sam- ples taken at R. R.) examined microscopically and for bacteria count and 51 met all requirements.
It will be noted that the consumption of both milk and cream has increased during the year.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That all operators of pasteurizing equipment be ex- amined, as to the purposes, legal requirements and methods
360
ANNUAL REPORTS
of control of all types of pasteurizing machines and if success- ful in obtaining a passing mark they should receive a certif- icate authorizing them to operate such machines. This ex- amination could be conducted by the State College or Health Department.
2. That the raw milk from each producer be examined at the creamery or milk plant receiving same, at least once in two weeks by the "Reductase Test."
3. That dealers manufacturing and pasteurizing ice cream mix only be required to take out a license to maintain an establishment for the pasteurizing of milk products similar . to the pasteurizing licenses required of milk dealers.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. BOWMAN, Inspector of Milk and Vinegar.
361
STREET COMMISSIONER
REPORT OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF THE STREET COMMISSIONER
CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE
January 1, 1933.
"To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AND
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit the fifty-seventh annual report, con- taining a brief summary of the work performed by the Highway Department. during the year 1932, with recommendations for necessary additions the coming year.
This department has charge of the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, side- walks, and bridges, the setting out and care of shade trees, the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, elm leaf beetles and other pests which destroy trees, and the oiling and watering of streets.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Credits
Expenditures
Highway Maintenance
$199,353.09
$199,433.55
Sidewalks Maintenance
28,855.00
28,814.01
Street Sprinkling
19,713.00
19,709.18
Street Cleaning
42,000.00
41,948.25
Suppression of Moths
5,440.00
5,437.32
Care of Trees
7,205.00
7,204.00
Permanent Pavement
334,938.80
283,508.37
Sidewalks Construction
3,890.52
3,890.52
Reconstruction and Resurfacing
6,000.52
5,862.58
$647,395.73 $595,807 78
SNOW AND ICE
Snow around all public buildings and grounds was re- moved by this department, also at many places where there were weddings, funerals, parties, etc. Many warning signs were erected and ashes spread at the foot of hills where coasting was allowed.
362
ANNUAL REPORTS
$23,650.77 was expended for the removal of snow and ice
6,497 cubic yards of snow and ice were removed
608 cubic yards of sand and 18 cubic yards of ashes were used in caring for icy sidewalks. streets and cross- ings.
BRIDGES
Both of the Lowell street bridges were reconstructed and fences rebuilt on the approaches. The Northern Artery, Somer- ville avenue bridge surface was repaved. General repairs were made on bridges maintained by the city and the Boston and Maine Railroad.
UNDERGROUND WIRES
There was no construction of conduits in the city this year.
CRUSHED STONE
Crushed stone purchased during the year :
630 tons $2.25
865 tons 2.25
326 tons 2.20
A portable crusher is used to crush old paving blocks.
SIDEWALKS MAINTENANCE
Police reports pertaining to all kinds of defective side- walks were promptly attended to and charged to this account.
4,000 linear feet of edgestone were reset
2,400 square yards of brick sidewalks relaid
700 square yards of granolithic sidewalks relaid
100 square yards of gutters relaid
$28,814.01 was expended for Sidewalks Maintenance
STREET SPRINKLING
Nearly all streets are given a surface treatment in the spring of the year, thus preserving them from wear. All others are flushed with water by the power sprayer.
87,185 gallons of oil were purchased from the Utility Oil Company at 7 cents a gallon.
$19,709.18 was expended for Street Sprinkling
STREET CLEANING
All streets were thoroughly cleaned several times during the year and men with push carts clean the various squares and business sections daily.
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