USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1888 > Part 3
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IO. Received of town of Randolph, 26 00
93
ANNUAL REPORT.
May 15. Received of C. S. Holden, sewer entrance, $35 25
16. Received of C. W. Blackinton, Treasurer Orient Lodge, for sup- port of Theo. Martin, 42 25
June I. Received of H. M. Maxson, text books, 3 81
6. Received F. L. Torrey, auctioneer's license, 2 00
9. Received of Town of Attleboro, support of paupers, 340 50
20. Received of Miller & Freeman, circus license, 25 00
July
2. Received of E. A. Morse,license for fireworks, 10 00
Received of Cosgrove & Kelly, li- cense for fireworks, 10 00
3. Received of O. W. Hawkins, li- cense for fireworks, 10 00
4. Received of Royal Circus, license, 15 00
13. Received of Doris Circus, license, 15 00
20. Received of Treasurer of North Attleboro, North Attleboro's pro- portion of the principal of State note of $20,000, 7,414 00
Received of Treasurer of North At- tleboro, North Attleboro's pro- portion of the principal of school notes for $5,000, due May 24, 1888,
1,853 50
Received of Treasurer of North Attleboro, North Attleboro's pro- portion of the principal of Sally Codding's three notes, for $ 1 3,500, 5,004 45
94
ANNUAL REPORT.
Aug. 31. Received of George A. Monroe, support of R. C. Munroe, $42 25
22. Received of C. W. Blackinton, Treasurer Orient Lodge, support Theodore Martin, 42 25
24. Received of State Treasurer, support of State paupers, 47 75
Temporary support of State paupers 45 33
Received of Treasurer of North At- tleboro, support of Alvah R. Chase, 42 75
28. Received of W. C. Main's Circus, license, 15 00
Sept. 15. Received of L. T. Starkey, auction- eer's license, 2 00
Oct. 18. Received of Treasurer of North At- tleboro, North Attleboro's propor- tion of County tax, 4,077 92
Nov. 19. Received of C. W. Blackinton, Treasurer of Orient Lodge, sup- port of Theo. Martin, 42 71
Dec. 3. Received of D. H. Smith, auction- eer's license, 2 00
IO. Received of State Treasurer, cor- poration Tax, 1,479 14
Received of State Treasurer, Na- tional Bank Tax, 576 96
Received of State Treasurer, State Aid, Chap. 252, 242 00
Received of State Treasurer, State Aid, Chap. 301, 889 25
Received of Treasurer of North At- tleboro, North Attleboro's pro- portion of State Tax, 4,003 64
95
.
ANNUAL REPORT.
Dec. 10. Received of State Treasurer, on account of Armory, $400 00
29. Received of J. O. Tiffany, tuition, 44 61
66 text book
and supplies, 25 09
Received of Trustees Public Li- brary, 20 00
Received of F. H. Collinwood, Sup- erintendent of Almshouse, 75 00
Received of Town of Douglass, 156 00
Town of Rehoboth, 64 60
Town of North Attle- boro, support of pau- pers, 421 70
Received of Treasurer of North At-
tleboro, North Attle-
boro's proportion of interest, 2,010 62
North Attleboro's pro-
portion of " Old
Town Bills," 858 06
North Attleboro's pro-
portion of division suit, 923 22
$151,100 20
96
ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
1888.
Mar. 31. E. R. Price, Treasurer, Interest on note dated March 30, 1888, payable in advance, $246 74
3I. Boston Safe Deposit Co., Coupons on bonds, 1,500 00 Commission, 3 75
May 9. A. W. Beard, State Treasurer, Note dated April 13, 1887, 20,000 00
Interest on note dated April 13, 1887, from November 16, 1887, to April 1, 1888, 415 55
Interest on the same note from April 1, 1888, to May 8, 1888, 100 28
IO. Sally Codding, Note dated October 18, 1885, 2,200 00
24. E. R. Price, Treasurer, Note dated May 24, 1883, 5,000 00
Interest on four notes, dated May 24, 1883, 400 00
June II. Sally Codding,
Interest to June 1, 1888, on note dated June 1, 1885, 200 00
July 7. Boston Safe Deposit Co., Coupons on bonds, 100 00
Commission, 25
E. R. Price, Treasurer, Coupons on bonds, 400 00
27. J. T. Bates, Treasurer of Sinking Fund, 5,000 00
97
ANNUAL REPORT.
Aug. 24. State Treasurer, Support of State paupers, $35 71
31. John T. Bates, Treasurer of Sinking Fund, 3,000 00
Sept. 15. Boston Safe Deposit Co., Coupons on bonds, 1,500 00
Commission, 3 75
Oct. 5. E. R. Price, Treasurer, Note dated March 30, 1888, 10,000 00
18. George F. Pratt, County tax, 7,791 90
20. Sally Codding,
Interest on note dated October, 18, 1885, 301 38
Nov. 8. A. W. Beard, State Treasurer,
Part payment on note of $40,000, dated May 8, 1888, 20,000 00
Interest on note dated May 8, 1888, 800 00
24. E. R. Price, Treasurer,
Interest on three notes dated May 24, 1883, 300 00
Dec. IO. Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
State tax, National Bank tax, 574 69
7,650 00
20. E. R. Price, Treasurer,
Coupons on bonds, 400 00
Boston Safe Deposit Co., Coupons on bonds, 100 00
Commission, 25
Dec. 31. A. E. Codding, Treasurer of North Attleboro,
North Attleboro's proportion of taxes collected, 7,733 07
98
ANNUAL REPORT.
Dec. 31. 12 A. E. Codding, Treasurer of North Attleboro,
Paid bills approved by the Selectmen, $42,225 63
Paid State and military aid, 1, 129 00
Cash on hand, 11,988 25
$151,100 20
JOHN T. BATES, Treasurer.
Attleboro, December 31, 1888.
99
ANNUAL REPORT.
FIRE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE OF THE TOWN OF ATTLEBORO
DR.
Received of John Thacher, Collector, $12,776 38
CR.
Paid M. O. Wheaton, Treasurer of Fire Dis- trict, $12,776 38
JOHN T. BATES, Treasurer.
Attleboro, December 31, 1888.
100
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
SINKING FUND -
DR.
To cash received from Town Treasurer from
January 1, 1886, to January I, 1889, $26,400 00
To cash received for interest from January I, 1887, to January 1, 1889, 969 80
Nov. 9, 1888. To cash received on loans, 100 00
$27,469 80
CR.
Jan. 1, 1889. By amount of loans on mort- gage note secured by real estate, $26,900 00
Jan. 1, 1889. By cash on hand, 569 80
$27,469 80
S. P. LATHROP, FRANK I. BABCOCK, E. S. HORTON, JOHN T. BATES, TREASURER, Commissioners of Sinking Fund.
IOI
ANNUAL REPORT.
TOWN OF ATTLEBORO IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF NORTH ATTLEBORO.
DR.
To balance of account March 1, 1888,
$57,487 48
Alvah R. Chace (support of), 42 75
County tax, 4,077 92
State tax, 4,003 64
Old town bills, 858 06
Expenses of Division suit,
923 22
Interest on bonds and notes,
2,010 62
Support of paupers,
762 20
$70,165 89
CR.
By Deborah Starkey note, $585 03
School note dated May 24, 1883,
1,853 50
Three notes of Sally Codding, 5,004 45
Note to the State of Massachusetts,
7,414 00
Alvah R. Chace (support of),
42 75
County tax,
4,077 92
State tax,
4,003 64
Old town bills,
858 06
IO2
ANNUAL REPORT.
By Expenses of Division suit, $923 22
Interest on bonds and notes, 2,010 62
To support of paupers, 762 20
Balance due Attleboro December 31, 1888, 42,630 50
$70,165 89
JOHN T. BATES, Treasurer.
Attleboro, December 31, 1888.
103
ANNUAL REPORT.
AUDITORS' REPORT 1
FROM MARCH 1, 1888, TO JAN. 1, 1889.
The undersigned, appointed at the annual meeting, in March, 1888, respectfully report,
That they have examined the accounts of John T. Bates, Treasurer, and C. T. Guild, John Thacher and Geo. F. Ide, Collectors, and the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, and find them correctly kept, with proper vouchers for all payments. Also that the books of the Selectmen show proper entry for all payments they have authorized.
The accounts of B. Porter, Jr., remain in the same condition they were last year, except the abatements made by the Assessors, as no money has been paid the Treasur- er by him during the year.
In the account of the Overseers of the Poor, we find vouchers for all payments made, but the amounts, if any, due the town from individuals, other towns and the State, do not appear on any books shown us, and we would therefore recommend that the Overseers of the Poor be requested to keep a ledger account with all parties they do business
104
ANNUAL REPORT.
with, and we would also recommend that all books used by town officers be purchased by the town, and that they re- main the property of the town. The account of the Su- perintendent of the Almshouse, we found correctly and very neatly kept.
G. A. DEAN, A. B. CARPENTER, E. A. SWEENEY, Auditors.
Attleboro, Feb. 11, 1889.
REPORT
OF THE
HEALTH PHYSICIAN
OF
ATTLEBORO, MASS.,
FOR THE YEAR 1888.
107
ANNUAL REPORT.
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
To the Attleborough Board of Health, Gentlemen :
I assumed the duties of the office of Health Physician on the 27th day of April, 1888.
That a correct idea of the sanitary condition of the town might be obtained, a careful inspection of the entire territory under my supervision, with the exception of South Attleboro, was made.
Nuisances of various kinds were brought to light, prominent among which were overflowing vaults, foul cesspools, uncovered sink drains and filthy pig-pens.
Among many of the citizens there is an inadequate conception of the laws of hygiene. They fail to grasp the idea that a cesspool or vault should never be allowed to become a nuisance, by its odor or appearance, to tenants or passers by. Some think once a year, others once in two years, often enough to attend to these matters, without regard to the depth of the vaults or quantity of matter deposited in them. Some were reluctant to empty their cesspools, although they had been allowed to go several years without attention, not realizing that they were liable to become sources of disease.
In quite a large section of the town, it is the custom to allow the sink pipe to run into open wooden troughs, which empty upon the ground from ten to thirty feet from
108
ANNUAL REPORT.
the house, the proprietors claiming that these troughs were moved around the yard at stated intervals of time, so that there was no collection of foul water at any one place. This idea, if strictly carried out, is a good one, and one that has been advocated by some of the leading sanitarians, as an excellent way in which to dispose of sink water. But in almost every case under consider- ation, large pools of offensive water were found, and it was evident that the tronghs had not been moved for over a month.
In many places the sink pipe emptied directly upon the ground, forming fruitful centres of contamination.
Other sources of danger were heaps of garbage or vegetable matter allowed to remain where deposited, which, while undergoing decomposition, filled the sur- rounding atmosphere with their noxious exhalations.
Where any of the above conditions of affairs were discovered the proprietor was informed that his place was in an unsanitary condition, and requested to rectify it, which request was, in almost every case, cheerfully com- plied with.
There were, however, exceptions to this statement, especially in the case of Louis Fournier, of Dodgeville, who defied for months the authorities of the Board, was arrested, tried, and fined $5.00 and costs, for refusing to improve the sanitary condition of his premises. This mode was effectual.
During the year 20 complaints have been made, all of which were attended to, whether made verbally or written, and with one exception were found to be just.
The trouble in many cases was found to be due to obstructed sink pipes, clogged with animal or vegetable matter, or to an overflowing cesspool.
109
ANNUAL REPORT.
Fifty-four cesspools and vaults have been condemned and ordered to be put in sanitary condition.
About the Ist of June the merchants on Park street, R. R. avenue, Bank and Pleasant streets, were requested to keep clean the gutters in front of their premises, and it was generally complied with, many of them being put to great inconvenience in so doing, from the trouble arising concerning the means of disposing of the material col- lected, and it is suggested that the town provide some means, whereby the garbage from the street may be removed at least once a week.
At the beginning of the season, garbage, the contents of catch-basins and other filth were deposited in the hol- lows on County street and at the terminus of Charles street. This was prohibited by the order of the Board. But how we are to dispose of our refuse material is a problem of great moment, and one which must be answered in the near future, as the future health of Attleborough depends upon its solution.
Whether swine shall be allowed to be kept within the thickly settled portions of the town is another question of much importance.
While there may be a doubt as to whether typhoid fever can originate from the exhalations of a pig-pen, there is none as to the fact that very disagreeable and offensive odors are evolved from them, and it is a pertinent fact that one of the most serious cases of typhoid fever of the year was located within a few hundred feet of a piggery, where a hog had died suddenly, of some mysterious disease.
On Carpenter, Pine and South Main streets are natural depressions of the surface, where drainage and other water collects and becomes foul from stagnation. One at least serves as a receptacle for dead cats and dogs, garbage of all kinds, old clothes, bags, bedding and a heterogenous
IIO
ANNUAL REPORT.
collection of the cast-off materials of the neighborhood. These hollows should be filled up, either at the expense of the town or of the abutters, according to the statutes relat- ing to such matters, as they constitute a nuisance, and are detrimental to the health of the localities in which they are situated. Several inquiries have been made as to whether our water was pure or not. In order that these inquiries may be answered, and that the citizens may have a true conception of the condition of our water, the fol- lowing table has been prepared :
ANALYSIS OF ATTLEBOROUGH WATER.
TAKEN FROM THE DISTRICT WATER SYSTEM. PARTS IN 100,000. OBTAINED FROM STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
APPEARANCE.
RESIDUE ON EVAPORATION.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN, AS
Date of Ex.
Odor.
Chlorine
Turbidity.
Color.
Total Solids
Loss on Ignition.
- Fixed.
Odor on Ignit'n
Free.
Albumi- noid.
Nitrates.
Nitrites.
May 25,'87, Clear,
None,
None,
10.00
3.50
6.00
None,
None,
.006
Trace,
None,
None,
June 13,'88, Clear,
Very little None, sediment.
8.75
1.40
7.35
None,
.0010
.0030
1.02
.0900
.0005
Oct. 26, '88, Clear,
Some brown earthy sedi- ment.
dark None,
9.15
1.20
7.95
Peculiar, some- what disagree- able.
.0014
.0018
1.05
.00650
.0007
Dec. 20,'88, Distinct, somewhat milky,slight sandy sedi- ment.
-
None,
11.20
2.15
9.05
Acid and pe- . 0034 culiar.
.0016
1.05
.1500
.0009
Dec. 20,'88,
Distinct slight earth and peet y sediment.
05
Faintly veget'ble
3.45
1.10
2.35
Peety.
.0024
.0154
.30
.0180
.0004
ANNUAL REPORT.
From
River
III
II2
ANNUAL REPORT.
From this table we perceive that four examinations have been made of the water, at different periods of time, and that an examination was made of the river water on the 20th of December, 1888. The first examination of our drinking water was made May 25, 1887, the last on the 20th of December, 1888. Comparing these examinations we find that in the latter there has been a decided increase in the amount of ammonia, chlorine and nitrogen com- pounds present, and we also find that there is an increase of these salts in every analysis after the first, in which none of these salts were present, ammonia, albuminoid excepted. The amount of sediment has also increased from a very slight sediment in the second, to a distinct, milky and slightly sandy one in the fourth. The river water, while not in so good a condition as the first analysis of our well water, has a less percentage of the ammonia and nitrogen salts than the last examination of the same.
In other words, our water has deteriorated since May 25, 1887, and at the present time is not as healthy as our river water.
Nitrogen, ammonia and chlorine compounds are the products of sewerage and fæcal matter, and it is against their increase that we must be most upon our guard.
The amount of these salts now present has no appre- ciable effect upon our water, but their presence indicates that we will have trouble if something is not done to pre- vent their increase.
The following remarks, by Dr. Charles Smart, U. S. A., in the last report of the National Board of Health, on the amount of solids allowable in drinking water, are per- tinent to the subject under consideration.
" Although the limit of undoubted wholesomeness is not passed until the water contains more than 30 parts (that is, of solids), there are certain cases when less than
113
ANNUAL REPORT.
this quantity will suffice to condemn the water, not from any specific action of the salts, but from the contaminations which are indicated by their presence. Thus 30 parts of solids in the water of an underground cistern, are sugges- tive of leakage from the soil into the reservoir, and if the soil is known to be polluted, the water must be bad. The leak which admits the inorganic matter, must admit the more dangerous constituents of the impure soil.
Well and spring water should contain but a trace of free ammonia, certainly not over .002 part. . . . When the ammonia is over .002 part there is generally some contamin- tion, the origin of which must be ascertained. . ,. Cool, dark, clean and well ventilated cisterns will furnish a supply which yields only .003 part of ammonia albuminoid, any increase in the amount found is dependent either on foul accumulations in the cistern, or on leakage.
The soil in peopled districts is probably impure, and the purity of the water which filters through it, to be collected in a shallow well, depends upon the efficiency of the mechan- ical filtration and oxidation which cakes place. .
The thorough dissociation of the chlorine from its original connections, must be demonstrated before the water can be approved, even then with sources of impurity, within the area of drainage, the well should be condemned. Chlorine in quantity is a suspicious sign in waters which percolate through the superficial layers. . . As has already been stated, nitrates are the ultimate products of the oxidation of organic nitrogen, either by direct chemical action or through the intervention of an organic ferment. The dele- terious substances which they originated no longer exist, so that a water from a deep well, for instance, may contain a large quantity without imputation on its wholesomeness, provided their presence is the only positive result de- veloped by the analysis. But if nitrous acid is found to
II4
ANNUAL REPORT.
co-exist (which is indicated by the pressure of the nitrites, R.), although in the merest trace, it connects the past of the nitrogen with the harmless present, and suggests the existence of a store-house of organic decay within danger- ous proximity to the water supply."
Applying these remarks to the case in point we are justified in concluding that, our water at the present time is wholesome and suitable for all domestic purposes. That, while the amount of solids is less than 12 parts per 100,000, the per cent. of ammonia, nitrogen and chlorine salts, have increased during the past year. That as the amount of these salts increases our water becomes more impure, and will in time be rendered unfit for use. Consequently everything should be done, now, to either elminate these salts or to prevent their increase.
Inspection of the soil around the well and gallery, from which our water is obtained, reveals the fact, that the ground between the well and Messrs. Bushee's shop is saturated with sewerage, and that the gallery terminates, practically, in a swamp, which acts as a sponge, collecting and retaining a large part of the sewerage from Mechanics and other sources above. Hence, it is from these points that we are to apprehend danger. These sources of con- tamination may be cut off, as has been suggested, by lay- ing a thick wall upon hard-pan, in cement, at right angles to the well and gallery, and it is recommended as a feas- able and economical procedure, for the object to be accom- plished.
When the extremely moist condition of
the atmosphere, and the comparatively low temperature, which has prevailed during the year, is considered, we are justified in stating that the general health of the commu- nity has been fair, nothing of an epidemical nature having occurred. There have been several cases of scarlet-fever,
II5
ANNUAL REPORT.
which have been mild in their character, at no time creating any alarm. A few cases of diphtheria have been reported, but no deaths. Typhoid fever we have had with us during the entire year-cases were reported each month. On the 18th of June a case of small-pox was reported. The symptoms and general condition of the patient were reported immediately to the State Board of Health, by whom we were advised to remove the patient out of the town as soon as possible. In accordance with this advice, the patient was removed on the 22d, to the "pest house," on the town farm, which, in the meanwhile, had been erected, where she was detained until the 7th of July, when she was discharged, cured. As soon as the case was discovered, the house in which she was taken ill was quar- antined, and every person in the immediate vicinity, that had not been, was vaccinated. After the removal of the patient, the house was thoroughly fumigated and disinfected, in accordance with the laws governing such cases.
Below is given a tabulated statement of the conta- gious diseases reported during the year, their location and sanitary condition :
TABLE I .- CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED DURING THE YEAR.
SANITARY CONDITION.
NUMBER OF CASES EACH MONTH.
Good.
Fair.
Bad.
Not Stated.
Total.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
19
20
2
27
68
1
1
2
5
1
5
1
20
1
1
3
5
2
1
2
1
8
16
6
2
1
42
Total,
2
1
CC
3
8
19
11
5
00
68
911
ANNUAL REPORT.
DISEASES.
LOCALITY.
| North Main Street.
| South Main Street.
| Park Street.
| Pleasant Street.
| Pine Street.
| Union Street.
| George Street.
| Carpenter Street.
| East Street.
| Pearl Street.
- | Dunham Street.
| Crandall's Court.
| Florence Street.
| Gustin Avenue.
| West Street.
| Bank Street.
| Leroy Street.
| County Street.
| Mechanics Street.
| Hebronville.
| Dodgeville.
| Wilcox Place.
| New Boston Road.
| Fisherville.
| Loney Cut.
| Bearcroft.
Small Pox,
Scarlet Fever,
2
2
1
1
3
1
1
1
01
Diphtheria,
1
1
1
Typhoid Fever,
2
1
1
2114
3
1
1
1
1
6
6 1
1
1
1 6 42
1
-
1
3 5 3
10
4134
1
·)
·)
1
6
6
1 1
1 1 668
ANNUAL REPORT.
117
| Locality Not Given.
Total.
-
| Holman Street.
118
ANNUAL. REPORT.
The perusal of this table informs us that from April 27, to December 31st, there were 68 cases of contagious diseases reported, small pox I, scarlet fever 20, diphtheria 5 and typhoid fever 42. Comparing these with the statistics of last year, bearing in mind that last year's report covered the entire year, while in the present only nine months are considered, in which the number of cases reported were 51, scarlet fever 22, diphtheria 5, typhoid fever 24, we find that 17 more cases were reported this year than last, and that there has been an increase of 18 cases of typhoid fever. In last year's report it is stated that there was an increase of this disease as compared with the year before. Typhoid fever is the cause of more deaths in the United States than any other contagious disease, not even excepting yellow fever, and while the number of deaths from this disease, in Attleboro, has been few, it is evident from this annual increase in the number of cases that all the conditions are present for an epidemic.
Glancing again at the above table, we discover that thirty-two cases were located in the more densely populated portion of the town, and that they were scattered very evenly over this part of the town, no section escaping from at least one case of the disease ; twenty of these cases were located within the limits of our water district.
Confining our attention to these cases, let us see if we can discover any cause for the increase of this disease.
M. Brouardel, at the Congress of Hygiene, Septem- ber, 1887, stated that "the vehicles for the transmission of typhoid fever germs were, water, air and clothing in con- tact with the sick."
In 1885, Pfeffer found typhoid-vacilli in fecal matter.
In the report of the Medical Officer of the Privy Council of Great Britain, it is stated "that the experience of
II9
ANNUAL REPORT.
many years repeats again and again the general lesson that enteric (typhoid) fever denotes excremental poisoning." Murchison, in his admiral work, remarks: "During the last fifteen years, however, I have met with few examples of enteric fever, which on investigation could not be traced to defective drainage. Enteric fever is constantly appearing where decomposing sewerage is present, but where every effort of acute observers fails to trace the presence of typhoid excreta."
"An increased rain-fall sweeps away the impurities to which the origin and spread of the disease are, in drained towns, mainly due, but in undrained places it may conduce to an outbreak of the disease by washing these impurities into the water used for drinking purposes. The study of the putrification of organic refuse, when mixed with water, has, I think, been the chief cause of the development of modern sanitary progress. Common putrescible changes taking place in dejecta are a sufficient cause of typhoid in- dependently of the admixture of any specific poison."
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