USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1889 > Part 3
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As the town increases in size, public welfare demands that these corrections be made.
Fifteen complaints of minor nuisances were made to the Board. In nearly every instance the complaints were just and the nuisances were abated upon the request of the Health Officer. In several instances, however, al- though the complaints were well taken, the rules of the Board did not specifically prohibit the action, and efforts to have it abated were unsuccessful. A more extended system of rules for another year would be advantageous.
Complaint was made during the summer as to the
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ANNUAL REPORT.
condition of a slaughter house on Sixth street, and a hearing before the Board was asked for. This was grant- ed, and after hearing evidence on both sides and mak- ing a careful inspection of the premises, no action was taken, the proprietor promising that the place should not become a nuisance. It is of doubtful propriety to allow the existence of a slaughter-house in such close proximity to dwellings, and if this or any other becomes a nuisance, it should be summarily closed.
On the 2Ist of December, the attention of the Health Officer was directed to a case which proved to be that of a child ill for ten days with Typhoid fever and which had not been reported, as the law requires. There was no physician in attendance. No precautions had been taken to protect the health of other members of the household. The child was not being properly cared for. The case was an anomalous one, the father refusing all purely medi- cal assistance, but being willing to adopt such hygienic suggestions as the Health Officer should offer. Precau- tionary measures were immediately adopted, and fre- quent visits were made to see them carried out. The case became somewhat notorious, but concerns us here because of the danger to the public health in allowing such cases to procede without medical supervision. The question of medicine or no medicine is of minor consequence. No physician would claim to have a specific for typhoid fever, and many patients in the hospitals and outside of them re- cover under medical care without the use of drugs. But it is of great importance that such diseases should be promptly recognized and proper precautions taken to pre- vent their dissemination. This particular case was un- doubtedly contracted as the result of a visit to a family where typhoid fever was raging, and although no cases
102
ANNUAL REPORT.
arose from it, yet it was a dangerous experiment to try. No one but a physician is capable of making an early and correct diagnosis and he alone can suggest the probable source of the contagion and advise as to the course to pur- sue to prevent its increase. The public health demands that such cases should be promptly reported to the Board of Health, and I recommend the vigorous enforcement of the law should another case arise.
The question as to the purity of the water in our public well was freely discussed during the summer, and many people subjected themselves to great inconvenience be- cause of exaggerated reports as to its contamination. That these reports were ill-founded is shown by the general health of the community as well as by making comparisons of the death rate, of the prevalence of septic diseases or diarrhœal troubles during the past summer, with other years. Chemical examination, however, shows a slight and gradual increase of impurity, and the same reasons that prompt one to discontinue the use of a private well in the midst of a populous centre, would apply to a well for public use. While we continue to drink its water we should take all precautions to prevent its contamination. I am glad to report greater progress in this direction during the past year than has been made before since the water works were established. But more yet remains to be done. The rapid growth in population on Capron's Hill is an increas- ing source of danger. Until proper sewerage is afforded in this region all vaults should be constructed water-tight, and carefully prevented from running over. The sewer on North Main street should be continued to Mechanic street and all property holders on the street should be compelled to connect with it. The vaults on Mechanic street should also be made water tight and carefully inspected. The
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ANNUAL REPORT.
contamination from the mills, in my judgment, is not so serious as some think. No water has been pumped from the river into our pipes for more than two years, and, should it ever become necessary in case of fire, by subse- quent opening of the distal hydrants, the current of water in the pipes would soon be entirely changed.
I invite your attention to a consideration of the fol- lowing statistical tables:
TABLE I .- CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED.
NUMBER OF CASES EACH MONTH.
DISEASES.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Diphtheria,
3
1
4
Scarlet Fever,
6
3
4
1
17
Typhoid Fever,
12
5
6
CO
2
2
35
Total,
9
3
3
12
5
10
8
2
4
56
104
ANNUAL REPORT.
DISEASES.
LOCALITY.
| Pine Street.
| Parker Street.
| Pearl Street.
| James Street.
| School Street.
Carpenter Street.
| Union Street.
| Park Street.
| Pleasant Street.
| Bank Street.
| Peck Street.
| Hope Street.
| Florence Street.
| County Street. | North Main Street.
| Highland Street.
| Mechanics Street.
| Forest Street.
Dodgeville.
| Hebronville.
| Muggsville.
| Total.
Diphtheria,
1
Scarlet Fever,
1
1
1
1
1
1
17
Typhoid Fever,
2 1 1
2
4
2 1
1
1
1
2
3 2
2
2
1
1
1
31
'Total,
4
-
6
:)
2
-
1
1
15
1
55
ANNUAL REPORT.
105
| Locality Not Given.
3
1
106
ANNUAL REPORT.
The first gives a list of contagious diseases reported during the year. I wish that I might say that it is abso- lutely correct; I feel that it is nearly so. There were 35 cases of typhoid fever reported, as against 42 cases for last year; a satisfactory improvement. When we consider the many lives that are yearly sacrificed because of this pre- ventable disease and the loss to the community in the pro ducing power of those ill with it, it is no wonder that ef- forts are constantly being made to eradicate it. In this connection and to emphasize what has gone before, I desire to publish an extract from the "Weekly Abstract of San- itary Reports" published by the government:
" A particularly instructive experiment is the sanitary improvement of a quarter of Munich known as the 'Grube,' or den of Haidbonsen, to which I directed atten- tion in my book called, 'The Present State of the Cholera Question,' page 722, which is also illustrated with the nec- essary cuts. This 'Grube,' or pit, was inhabited by about five hundred people, and was formerly the worst hot-bed for typhoid and cholera in the city. Since the removal of all the old porous sewers and cess pools, and its drainage by means of a proper sewer, with nothing else changed, it has become free entirely from these diseases, although the people use identically the same drinking water as form- erly, while the people in the neighboring quarter of the city, who had the best of drinking water, but the old cess- pools and sewers, were still afflicted with typhoid.
"It is true, speaking scientifically, that many points are still obscure, as, for instance, how good drainage and sew- erage, cleansing and keeping clean the soil, are connected with the specific germs of typhoid and cholera ; how places thus treated not only lose their predisposition to such dis- eases, but become absolutely free from them. But facts often outrun science."
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ANNUAL REPORT.
TABLE II .- MORTALITY FOR 1889 BY CAUSE, DATE, AGE AND SEX.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
October.
November.
December.
Still born.
Under 1 yr.
1 to 5.
5 to 10.
10 to 20.
20 to 30.
30 to 40.
40 to 50.
50 to 60.
60 to 70.
70 to 80.
80 to 90.
Male.
Female.
Total.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
Apoplexy, Meningitis,
4
1
1
1
1
1
1 1 1
1
1
2
1
ـت
Insanity,
. 1
1
1
1
2
Diphtheria,
1
Croup,
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
5 1
8|11
19
2
2
1
1
1
2
2 2
1
Phthisis, Heart disease, Heart failure, Enteritis,
1
1
10
5 3
00
1
1 3
4
1
1
2
1
Entero Colitis,
01
1
.
1
1|
1
3
Typhoid Fever,
1
1
Chronic Diarrhœa,
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
Cholera Infantum,
1
1
Hepatic Obstruction,
1 11
2
Peritonitis,
1
1
2
3
4
3
7
Tuberc. Meningitis,
1
1
1
1
1
1
·
Chronic Bronchitis,
3
2
1
2
4
6
1
Pneumonia, Pleuro-pneumonia,
1
01 00
2
1
1 2
3
1
1
1
6
6
1
Dysentery,
4
5
9
1
September.
CAUSE OF DEATHI.
1
1
1
1
1
1119
.
19 10
10 10
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
1
1
1
1
1 Still Born,
2
2
1
5
3
S
1
1
1
1
2
1: 1
1
1
1
Cancer,
1
1
1
2 1
1
5
1
1
1
2
Nervous Shock,
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
1
1
1
1
Old Age,
7
8|11| 5|10|12 12 18 14 10 10 6
Total,
3 36 7 1 11 14 8 5 10 12 11
4 56 67
123
1
1|
1; 1|
2
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1 1
. Premature Births, Marasmus, Scarlet Fever,
1
1
1
1 1
1
1
Fever,
1
3
4
1
1
1
1
Fibroid Tumor, R. R. Accident,
1
1
Senile Gangrene,
ANNUAL REPORT.
109
1
Hernia, Brights Disease, Dropsy, Diabetes, Puerperal Convulsions, Convulsions,
2 1 2 1
1
1
1
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The second table furnishes the mortuary statistics for the year. The number of deaths is two less than last year. The cool summer apparently modified the severity of the diseases affecting the bowels, e. g., there were two less deaths from cholera infantum and three less from typhoid fever, but it added to the severity of those diseases affect- ing the pulmonary tract. Every month in the year one or more persons died in Attleboro from consumption. Any information that will enlighten the public as to the natural history of this disease seems of great importance. I desire to publish here a short extract from the paper formerly quoted.
PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS.
TRANSLATED FROM THE Journal d' Hygiene, PARIS, FRANCE,
JANUARY 16, 1889.
"At the fifteenth reunion of the German Congress of Strasbourg, Doctor Cornet, of Berlin, maintained that we have to provide against the transmission of the disease rather than against the tendency to contract it. It is the most terrible enemy of the human race; its victims number one-seventh of the population. In Germany alone it causes 1 50,000 deaths a year. The contagion is less from air ex- haled from the lungs, as was formerly believed, than from expectorations, which on drying communicate to the dust an infinite number of germs. Tuberculous persons are for this reason a menace not only to those around them, but to themselves, since they introduce into their respiratory channels other bacilli which infect the yet healthy portion of the lungs. They should be prohibited spitting on the ground or into a handkerchief, but should use special recep- tacles filled with water. Spittoons filled not with sand or sawdust, but water, should be placed in all public resorts."
ANNUAL REPORT.
Also the following:
CONCLUSIONS.
I. That tuberculosis is a distinctly preventable dis- ease.
2. That it is not directly inherited ; and
3. That it is acquired by the direct transmission of the tubercle bacillus from the sick to the healthy, usually by means of the dried and pulverized sputum floating as dust in the air.
The measures then, which are suggested for the pre- vention of the spread of tuberculosis are:
I. The security of the public against tubercular meat and milk attained, by a system of rigid official inspection of cattle.
2. The dissemination among the people of the knowledge that every tubercular person may be a source of actual danger to his associates, if the discharges from the lungs are not immediately destroyed or rendered harmless; and
3. The careful disinfection of rooms and hospital wards that are occupied or have been occupied by phthisi- cal patients .- " Sanitary News, June 22, 1889.
Pure air, pure food, and the prompt disinfection of the sputum from the tuberculous subject, will prevent many cases.
The death rate of the town estimating the population at 7,000, was 17 4-7 per thousand.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
TABLE III .- RETURN OF BIRTHS FOR 1889 BY DATE, SEX AND NATIONALITY.
SEX.
NATIONALITY.
DATE.
Male.
Female.
Both
Both
Foreign.
American.
American.
Birthplace
Unknown.
Total.
January,
February,
6
2
5
1
1
1
8
March,
3
6
2
6
1
9
April,
S
1
8
7
2
3
12
June,
9
6
10
4
1
15
July,
6
10
9
5
2
16
September,
9
10
10
5
3
1
19
October,
7
8
6
7
2
15
November, .
3
7
5
2
1
2
1
10
December, .
7
4
7
2
1
11
Total, .
71
79
81
46
11
9
3
150
5
6
3
1
9
May,
4
6
12
9
S
1
18
August,
i
1
One Case of Twins.
There were one hundred and fifty births recorded during the year ; five more than during 1888. As usual, the fe- males preponderate, the number being 79 to 71 males. Esti- mating the population of the town at 7,000, we have a birth-rate of 21 3-7 per thousand.
1
8
American.
Father
Mother
TABLE IV .- MARRIAGE STATISTICS BY AGE, NUMBER OF MARRIAGE AND NATIVITY.
Bride's Age.
Groom's Age.
Number of Marriages.
Nativity.
16-20
20-30
30-40
Over 40.
16-20
20-30|
80-40
Over 40
29
62
5
First,
77
6
1
Both American,
·
.
67
1
2
Second,
1
7
7
Both Foreigners, .
. 17
2
Third,
2
. One American, . 22
30
65
7
4
Total,
5
78
13
10
Total, 106
ANNUAL REPORT.
II3
114
ANNUAL REPORT.
Table fourth gives the marriage statistics. There were 106 marriages. The youngest bride was 16 years old, and the eldest, 50. The youngest groom was 19, and the eldest was 67.
In closing, I wish to acknowledge the courtesy shown me by the members of the Board and to express my thanks therefor.
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, Health Officer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
FOR THE YEAR 1889.
116
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, M. D., CHAIRMAN, Term Expires March, 1890.
J. O. TIFFANY, SECRETARY,
WALTER E. HAYWARD,
Term Expires, March, 1892.
MRS. DR. L. V. G. MACKIE,
J. L. SWEET,
Terms Expire, March, 1890.
MISS LIDORA E. BRIGGS,
BYRON R. HILL,
ALFRED R. CROSBY,
CLARENCE L. WATSON,
Terms Expire, March, 1891.
Regular Meeting First Tuesday of each month, 1. 30 P. M.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
COMMITTEE ON INCIDENTALS AND REPAIRS.
C. L. WATSON, A. R. CROSBY, J. L. SWEET, B. R. HILL.
COMMITTEE ON TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES. MISS L. E. BRIGGS, DR. C. S. HOLDEN, J. O. TIFFANY.
COMMITTEE ON QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS. WALTER E. HAYWARD, LIDORA E BRIGGS, J. O. TIFFANY, MRS. DR. MACKIE.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
J. O. TIFFANY.
Office hours on Thursdays at High School, from 3.15 to 4.45 P. M.
The first two weeks of each term, office hours will be observed on Monday also.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
GEORGE F. IDE. E. R. READ,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Since the schools have been under the care of a Superintendent, his report necessarily covers the ground formerly covered by that of the committee, making a repor from them almost superfluous.
The details as to the condition of the Public Schools are given in the report of the Superintendent, and the manner of the expenditure of the sums of money appropriated for the support of the schools for the past year, is given in the Selectmen's report, hence neither require comment here.
The committee congratulate the town upon the building of the new grammar school house, which by great effort on the part of the building committee was completed in season for its occupancy at the beginning of the fall term. The building meets every requirement and is entirely sat- isfactory. The additional rooms secured were immediate- ly occupied, relieving crowded schools elsewhere, besides rendering unnecessary the renting of outside rooms.
We recommend that the town makes the following ap- propriations for the support of the schools for the year 1 890:
-
I18
ANNUAL REPORT.
Educational Department, $17,600. Or, if for 36 weeks in the Lower Grades, 16,950.
Transportation of Pupils, 625.
Incidentals and Repairs, 2,000.
Text-books and Supplies, 1,200.
School Superintendent, 1,000.
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, ALFRED R. CROSBY,
J. L. SWEET,
C. L. WATSON,
W. E. HAYWARD,
BYRON R. HILL.
J. O. TIFFANY,
LIDORA E. BRIGGS,
LAURA V. G. MACKIE, School Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Superintendent
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
FOR THE YEAR 1889.
121
ANNUAL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Attleboro:
Ladies and Gentlemen-My report, the seventh in the series of Superintendents' reports, is herewith respect- fully submitted.
Your attention is called to the following summary of statistics and financial statement:
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age
in town the first of last May, as returned by the census takers, 1,141
Number between 8 and 14,
727
Number of different scholars enrolled on school registers, 1,462
Average membership,
1,076
Average attendance,
969
Number of teachers,
34
*Number of schools, 25
Number of school houses, 14
*The Primary school on Sanford street was divided at beginning of fall term. Since that time there have been 26 schools.
122
ANNUAL REPORT.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDI- TURES IN THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS.
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
TOTAL RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$15,000 00
Dog fund,
741 77 76 02
State fund,
Cash received for tuition,
99 00
---- $15,916 79
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' bills approved,
$13,363 05
Janitors,
1,491 17
Fuel 66
979 48
-$15,833 70
Unexpended balance, $83 09
INCIDENTAL AND REPAIR DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation, $2,000 00
Bills approved,
1,946 86
Unexpended balance, 53 14
TEXT BOOK AND SUPPLY DEPARTMENNT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation, $1,000 00
Cash received for books sold, 19 48
$1,019 48
Bills approved,
1,136 22
Amount overdrawn, $116 74
123
ANNUAL REPORT.
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS.
Appropriation, $625 00
Bills approved, 626 00
Amount overdrawn, ŠI 00
RECAPITULATION.
RECEIPTS.
Educational Department, $15,916 79
Incidental and Repair Department, 2,000 00
Text Book and Supply
1,019 48
Transportation of Pupils, 625 00 ---- $19,561 27
EXPENDITURES.
Educational Department, $15,833 70
Incidental and Repair Department, 1,946 86
Text Book and Supply
1,136 22
Transportation of Pupils, 626 00
$19,542 78
Unexpended Balance, $18 49
Compared with last year's statistics the census of children between 5 and 15 years of age living in town, May I, shows a gainof 36. The number enrolled on the school reg- isters is 66 larger than last year. The gain in average mem- bership is 8; in average attendance, 5. The per cent. of at- tendance is 90+ against 89.9 last year.
Tardiness has increased, the pro rata being 1.08 against . 7 last year.
The financial statement funishes a gratifying exhibit. Although the expenses in the Text Book department are in excess of the appropriation, the general balance shows
124
ANNUAL REPORT.
that the entire educational system has been conducted without overdrawing the sum of the appropriation for the schools.
I will speak briefly of the principal expenditures in the Incidental and Repair department last year and mention the changes needed to be made in the coming one that all who wish can see how the last year's appropriation was ex- pended, and understand the reason for the recommendation made in the report of the committee that $2,000 be voted this year.
An examination of the plumbing of the High school house made last spring with a view to make certain repairs, revealed the fact that the whole system was so defective as to require a complete change. This, together with cer- tain changes in the ventilation system necessary to satisfy the demands of the State Inspectors, cost more than $500.
The cost of the much needed addition to the Dodgeville house was nearly $400. The extensive repairs at the Pleasant street school cost about $175. These with the rent of the rooms in the Bakery building till the erection of the new Grammar school enabled us to withdraw the school from that unfavorable place, required more than $1,200. This left less than $800 for numerous smaller repairs and all incidentals. As to necessary expenses for the coming year, the Commit- tee on Incidentals and Repairs have decided to paint several of the school houses. The addition of entries at the Turn- pike and Perry school houses is none the less needed today than when urged in my report last year. As the former is to be painted and partially reshingled this summer it would seem to be the proper time to make the addition. The Farmers house should have its windows enlarged, that it may be properly lighted, and be furnished with modern furniture, for the want of which the school is suffering great inconvenience.
125
ANNUAL REPORT.
If the ventilation of the Academy and the Dodgeville school is not done voluntarily, it will doubtless have to be done in response to a requirement of the State Inspectors. This new law which was wisely enacted is being enforced by the State Inspectors. In many places the changes nec- essary to secure proper ventilation of public buildings are made at great expense. Our town is fortunate in this re- spect. Few changes will be necessary and these will not be very expensive.
One of the most pressing needs at the present time is that of a laboratory for the High school. The room at present used for that purpose, if large enough, or even if it could be enlarged to accommodate the classes, is very un- suitable, on account of its close proximity to the school- room, for laboratory work or the storing of the chemicals used in connection with the study of chemistry, and, be- sides as it has suitable cases for books and is so conven- iently located it is needed for a High school library and reading room, where scholars, in sight of the Principal, can consult books of reference without annoyance to classes engaged in recitation in the main room.
I advise the construction of a laboratory in the west end of the basement. Here it will occupy a place not used and not needed for other purposes. Its location is such that it can be properly ventilated, as it will have the win- dows on one side, and the ventilating flue on the other. In addition to these, this plan can be executed at a much smaller outlay than any other I have been able to devise.
The two items for which I would make the most em- phatic appeal are, the ventilation spoken of above and the construction of the laboratory.
The call for $1,200 for text books and supplies last year was a moderate one and that sum should have been
I 26
ANNUAL REPORT
appropriated. By advice of the Committee of Thirteen $ 1,000 was the sum voted, which we have been obliged to exceed. For several years after free text books were fur- nished in accordance with the requirements of the law, the principal expense in this department was that of supplying text books for the constantly increasing number of scholars. Now, however, the time has fully come when even the most durable of these books have become so worn as to be unfit for further use. A large share of the expense for last year was incurred by replacing these worn books with new. The same will be true this year. I trust the Town will respect the reasonable suggestion of the Committee and appropriate $ 1,200.
The Educational department which pays teachers, jan- itors, and fuel bills has been conducted without exceeding the appropriation in consequence of not buying a full year's supply of fuel, and because in making the large number of changes, in accordance with the custom adopted by the present board, the teachers employed to succeed those re- tiring, have been engaged at a lower price than the position should pay after the incumbent has proved her fitness for the place. We certainly, should not congratulate ourselves on saving expense in that way.
CHANGES.
We have to record rather more than the usual num ber of changes. Mr. Hobbs resigned the Principalship of the High school to accept a situation for increased pay Miss Lathrop, second assistant in the same school and Instructor in Drawing left to resume her course at Cornell University. Miss Beers, who had served for a number of years with great fidelity as Principal of the Grammar school, was compelled by impaired health to resign her position at
127
ANNUAL REPORT.
the end of the Spring term. Miss Lamb, her first assis. tant, Miss Fisher, of the Pine Street Primary, and Miss . Cutting of the Perry school, left to preside over homes of their own, two on the banks of the Hudson, and one among the hills of Vermont. While we would heartily congratu- late all who have been called to fields of wider influence, increased pay, and more congenial spheres of activity, we would express our sympathy for the one, who, overcome by the burdens and wear of years of toil, is compelled to stop by the wayside to recuperate the energy and regain the strength necessary to take up again the burden of an active life.
In selecting a Principal for the High school we were very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. C. E. Stevens, who brought to his work the experience of several years of teaching, during the last three of which he was Sub-master of the High school of Lewiston, Maine. Mr. Stevens by his discreet management of affairs, his even tempered dis- cipline, and his thorough devotion to the interests of the school, has won the confidence of his pupils and the res- pect of those who are associated with him as teachers, and all who are interested in the welfare of the school.
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