USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1904 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
There was also an increase in the number of cases of scarlet fever and of measles. There were six more cases of the former and 10 of the latter, as compared with last year. There were 12 cases of typhoid, being the same as last year, with one death.
The Board has added one more disease to the number to be reported as contagious, viz .: tuberculosis. This action was taken the latter part of April, since which time five cases have been reported. The Board takes this opportunity to again inform the physicians of this and of neighboring towns, that it is obligatory upon them to report cases of this disease. This action was taken in order that the well might be protected from
111
ANNUAL REPORT.
those suffering from this disease, for it is an established fact, that if proper precautions are taken the contract- ing of the disease can be prevented. As soon as a case of this disease is reported, the Board mails to the family, where it exists, a circular giving full directions to be fol- lowed, in order to prevent it from spreading. If death should occur, the family is instructed in what manner the house should be fumigated.
While on the subject of reporting contagious diseases the physicians of the town, and particularly those of surrounding towns, notably those of Rhode Island, are hereby informed that in order to be legal, these notifica- tions must be in writing, not by messenger or telephone. During the year four cases of diphtheria (withone death) occurred in one family, and it was not until the death took place that the Board became cognizant that there were any cases of the disease in town. The attending physician stated that he had attempted several times to call up the Secretary of the Board, but was unable to do so. It would have taken much less time to have written a postal card and, at the same time, would have been following out the provisions of the law. Again, there were several cases of scarlet fever in one family (which were discovered by accident) which were not , reported by the attending physician in any manner.
In justice to our own physicians it is proper to state that both of these physicians are located in Rhode Island. In both cases they left a large portion of our population unprotected. In the future it is the intention of the Board to see if they cannot be punished for such neglect.
There were 178 deaths during the year, an increase of 27 over last year. Twenty-two of these were due to local diseases, 31 to constitutional, 13 to senile degenera- tion, 21 to developmental, and six were caused by in- fection. Fourteen deaths were caused by accidents. In addition there were seven still-born. Heart disease con- tributed the greatest number of deaths, 17, senile degen-
112
ANNUAL REPORT.
eration coming next with 13, while II were due to cancer.
But few complaints against nuisances were made this year. The majority were against the odors from pig- geries. The Board is pleased to be able to announce that one of the largest of these abominations has been discontinued.
The water from three wells has been condemned as unfit for domestic use by the State Board of Health. It is the opinion of the Board that there are many more wells in the town, the water of which is in a like con- dition. It may be stated at this place that the Board does not consider that the proper amount of courtesy has been extended to the State or local Board by the departments of the town, in relation to the well on the Town Farm, the water of which was condemned by the State Board.
Last year the attention of the town's representatives in the General Court was called to the fact that the State Board should manufacture the vaccine material for the use of the State. It is gratifying to be able to report that this is now done by the State Board and that hereafter this material will be furnished gratis to the citizens of the Commonwealth.
This year the by-laws of the Board of Health were revised and several new ones added. The citizens of the town are requested to procure from the Secretary of the Board copies of these laws, as they are somewhat different from the old ones.
Special attention is called to the law relating to spit- ting in public places. Up to the present time no steps have been taken to enforce this law, but this will not be the case in the future. The law relating to the trans- portation of any kind of garbage through the streets, without a suitable covering to prevent the odors from escaping therefrom, will also be more stringently enforced.
113
ANNUAL REPORT.
The proper disposal of garbage from houses, and also of the ashes from the same places, is a problem which it is hard to solve; our present mode is crude and un- satisfactory. When we consider that every householder is obliged to attend to this matter himself, and at con- siderable expense, would it not be cheaper and more satisfactory if the disposal of the waste materials from our houses was under the control of the Board of Health, authorized to employ an efficient agent, at a suitable salary, to remove such waste at regular intervals of time. The same person could have control of the dis- posal of our sewage at the same time, thus removing a source of great anxiety. As has been the case for the past four years, the Board emphasizes the importance of a complete sewage plant. Its importance becomes more apparent as the years follow each other. During the past year the water from the Ten Mile River was pumped into the standpipe and was used for domestic purposes. If prompt warning had not been given, there is no means of telling what might have been the result.
,
It has been intimated to the Board that certain of our milkmen are feeding their cows the waste products from distilleries. Their attention is called to the law per- taining thereto, and to the fact that this is an illegal practice, punished by a severe fine.
The plumbing regulations have been strictly followed during the year, and no complaint has been made re- lating to them.
The following statistics relating to the several depart- ments of the Board are respectfully submitted :
T 8
114
ANNUAL REPORT.
Monthly Statement of Infectious Diseases, 1904.
MONTHS
DIPIITHERIA
SCARLET FEVER
MEASLES
TYPHOID
TUBERCULOSIS
TOTALS
January ·
1
2
2
5
February
1
9
10
March
9
2
2
1
14
April
3
3
7
13
May
1
2
23
1
27
June
1
5
1
2
9
July
August .
1
2
1
4
September
1
1
3
5
November
3
1
4
December
4
3
1
..
8
Totals
19
27
39
12
5
102
1903
5
21
29
12
*1 +2
70
2
1
3
October
*Smallpox.
+Meningitis.
115
ANNUAL REPORT.
Location of Infectious Diseases.
TOWNS
SMALLPOX
DIPHTHERIA
SCARLET FEVER
MEASLES
TYPHOID
TUBERCULOSIS
TOTALS
Attleboro
0
11
24
38
12
5
90
S. Attleboro
0
1
2
1
0
0
4
Dodgeville
0
3
0
0
0
0
3
Hebronville
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Briggs Corner
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
St. Jean Plat.
0
4
1
0
0
0
5
Totals
0
19
27
39
12
5
102
Totals 1903
1
5
21
29
12
+2
70
+Meningitis
116
ANNUAL REPORT.
Causes of Death. (Still births excluded.)
Male Female
Totals
ZYMOTIC.
Tyhoid Fever
1
0
1
Scarlet Fever
0
0
0
Diphtheria .
2
1
3
Influenza . .
1
1
2
6
CONSTITUTIONAL.
Cancer
3
7
10
Phthisis
4
7
11
Tuberculosis
3
6
9
Septicaemia
1
0
1
31
LOCAL.
Meningitis
3
7
10
Concussion of Brain
1
0
1
Paresis.
1
1
2
Cerebral Hemorrhage
1
1
2
Apoplexy
4
3
7
Paralysis.
0
1
1
Locomotor Ataxia
0
1
1
Pneumonia ..
6
1
7
Œdema of Lungs
2
3
5
Bronchitis.
8
9
17
Heart Disease
1
2
3
Diabetes
5
5
10
Addisons Disease
0
1
1
Bright's Disease
0
1
1
Hepatitis of Liver
0
1
1
Sclerosis of Liver .
0
1
1
Intestinal Obstruction
0
3
3
Enteritis .
0
1
1
Dysentery Intestinal Hemorrhage
1
0
1
Cholera Infantum
6
5
11
Gastritis
1
1
2
Peritonitis
2
0
2
Cystitis
2
0
2
93
SENILE DECAY
4
9
13
13
DEVELOPMENTAL.
Premature Birth .
6
7
13
Marasmus.
3
3
6
Infantile Convulsions
1
1
2
Still Born
0
0
0
21
WOMEN'S DISEASES.
Puerperal Peritonitis
0
0
0
ACCIDENTS.
Pistol Shot.
0
1
1
Burns ..
0
1
1
Fracture of Skull
7
0
7
Fracture of Spine.
1
0
1
Fracture of Cervical Vertebrae.
0
0
0
Drowning
1
0
1
R. R. Accident.
1
2
3
14
Totals
82
96
178
178
117
Deaths by Months, Sex and Ages. (Still births excluded.)
0-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-10
| 10-15
15-20
20-30 M F
30-40
40-50 M F
50-60
60-70 M F
70-80
80-
TOTALS. M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
M F
0
1
0 2
. .
.
2
1
. . ..
...
0
1
0
1
1 0
2
0
0
1
1 0
0
2
0
0
1
1 2
Feb ...
5
0
0 1
.
1 0
0 2
2
0
. . .. . .
1
1
3
0
2
0
2
2
2
1
15 7 22
Mar. .
2
1
·
1
·
1
0 2
.
1
0
.
1
.0
·
1
·
0 1
1
2
Sep ..
1
3
0
1
0
1
1
0
1 0
·
.
..
. . .
.
.
1
1
0
1
11 5|16
Oct ..
6
3
. .....
Nov . .
0
2
·
Dec . .
2
3
·
.
1
1
Totals
24 20
04 22
0 2
1 0
3 0
2 0
6 3
4 5
2 4
7 15
10 10
6 8
12 13
3 10 82 96 178
..
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
2
4 6 10
June ..
.
·
. .
.
0
1
5 5 10
July ..
3
3
·
0
2
0
1
5 12 17
Aug . .
2
2
·
. .....
..
. .
1
0
0
2
3 10|13
2
0
0202
1
2
1 2
0 2
1
2
. . .
.
2 0
01 10
0 3
1 1 10
2
1
·
.
1
1
.
1
0
0
0
2
2 2
0 2
1
0
. .
0
1
1
1
0
1
0
0 1
2
0
1
0
May. .
0
6 1 7
2
0
.
·
0 1
2 2
1 1
·
7 11|18
Jan. . .
4
REPORT.
ANNUAL
Apr ..
1
1
M F
M F
M F
8 10 |18
...
5 5 10
3 14 17
10 10|20
..
118
ANNUAL REPORT.
Plumbing Statistics for 1904.
Fixtures.
MONTHS
WATER CLOSETS
SINKS
WASH BOWLS
WASH TRAYS
LAVATORIES
BATH TUBS
January . .
3
4
4
1
2
February
9
4
4
5
March
28.
7
9
2
1
7
April
6
3
5
2
4
May
23
11
2
11
3
14
June
20
18
1
8
11
July
20
15
12
15
14
August.
18
24
13
8
19
September
16
14
4
6
9
October
14
14
3
11
11
November
30
23
12
17
21
December
10
7
6
7
8
Totals
197
144
75
88
4
125
Number of permits granted, 112. Master plumbers licensed, 10. Journeymen plumbers licensed, 10.
Licenses for Special Occupations.
Undertakers, 3. Livery stables, 3. Slaughter houses, 2. Killing and rendering of horses, I.
CHARLES S. HOLDEN, Chairman ; G. K. ROBERTS, WM. O. HEWITT,
Board of Health.
Report of the Trustees of the Public Library.
The work accomplished by the library during the year 1904 is explained in detail in the accompanying re- port of the Librarian, to which attention is called.
By it, it will be seen, that in spite of the cramped and inconvenient accommodations afforded the patrons, the use of the library was even greater than in any previous year. Such liberal use denotes a desire and appreciation on the part of the public for intellectual advancement, and augurs well for the future welfare of the community.
The manner of the expenditure of the money appro- priated by the town for the maintenance of the library during the year 1904 is given in the appended financial report, and the Trustees ask for an appropriation of $2,750.00 for the year 1905.
The Trustees have had but one object in view during the past year, namely, to secure the balance necessary to complete the sum of $50,000.00, needed for a new library building. Individual solicitations were made, with more or less gratifying results. In order to bring the object more closely to the attention of the public, a meeting of the subscribers to the fund was held on the evening of October 28 in Grand Army Hall. This meeting was fairly well attended. The Treasurer re- ported that $32,000.00 had been pledged, and after a general discussion Mr. J. L. Sweet increased his already most generous gifts by offering to add $1,000.00 to every additional $1,000.00 that the friends of the library could raise until the $50,000.00 was secured.
120
ANNUAL REPORT.
This liberal offer was received by those present with the greatest enthusiasm. An Advisory Board, consist- ing of Messrs. J. L. Sweet, F. A. Newell, E. A. Sweeney, C. H. Tappan and John Wolfenden, was elected to act with the Trustees, and the meeting adjourned feeling that the work was almost accomplished.
Since the public meeting the Trustees have held con- ferences with the members of the Advisory Board, and the end of the year finds them full of hope that the de- sired amount will be pledged before the time limit of Mr. Sweet's offer expires.
Public Library.
Dr.
Annual appropriation,
$ 2.750.00
$2.750.00
Cr.
Expenditures :
Salaries,
$ 1,299.52
New books,
578.81
Rent,
336.00
Binding,
156.80
Magazines,
102.50
Newspapers,
34.00
Gas, .
94.70
Printing,
54.08
Supplies.
41.35
Insurance,
31.20
Repairs,
16.38
Unexpended balance,
4.66
$2,750.00
Examined February 4, 1905, and found correct, BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY, FRED L. LeBARON, BYRON R. HILL,
Auditors.
121
ANNUAL REPORT.
Respectfully submitted, E. S. HORTON, L. J. LAMB, C. H. WHEELER, M. E. ROWE,
WM. P. KELLY,
C. S. HOLDEN,
ALICE M. WALES,
IRENE T. HILL, ELEANOR S. CARPENTER, Trustees of the Public Library.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the President and Board of Trustees of the Attle- borough Free Public Library :
I present the following report for the year ending December 31, 1904.
Book Account. ·
Additions :
Books in the library January 1, 1904, 8,532
Added by purchase. 430
By gift, 19
Public documents, 34
Bound magazines, 60
Bound newspapers,
3
Total additions,
546
9,078
Withdrawals :
As unfit for further use 83, of which 68 were replaced, leaving an actual withdrawal of 15
Lost through circulation, I
Total withdrawals, I6
Total number of volumes now in
library, 9,062
122
ANNUAL REPORT.
Binding.
Number of books rebound, . 306
Volumes of magazines bound, 55
Volumes of "Daily Sun," 3
Circulation.
Pericdicals, bound and unbound, 1.345
Philosophy, 2II
Religion, 282
Sociology,
293
Science,
922
Useful arts, 198
Fine arts, 392
Literature, 1,289
History, 1,170
Travel, 1,270
Biography, 945
Fiction,
.
36,409
Total circulation, 44,726
The library has been open 307 days, with an average daily circulation of 145.
Statistics.
Total circulation on school cards, 16,450
Circulation for rural schools, 1,652
Largest daily circulation, 348
Smallest daily circulation, 56
Largest weekly circulation, 1,135
Smallest weekly circulation, 554
Largest monthly circulation, 4,320
Smallest monthly circulation,
2,773
Total number of cards registered, 6,250
New cards issued, 438
Reading room open 41 Sundays, with a total
attendance of 1,670
Average, 29
Number of postals sent for books overdue, 28I
123
ANNUAL REPORT.
The above figures show conclusively that the work of the library is holding its own in spite of embarrassments due to its inadequate housing.
A trial of two and a half years has proven the wisdom of extending the privileges of the library to the outlying school districts. We feel well repaid for the extra labor entailed in carrying out this system by the appreciative patronage it receives.
The number of new books purchased has not been so great this year, for the reason that there is difficulty in finding shelving room for the additions.
Our reference department has recently received a valuable addition in the form of "The Encyclopedia Americana" in 16 volumes. . This is a publication of especial merit, as it is the work of American authorities of today, the editor of the "Scientific American" being editor-in-chief of the work.
As our patrons know, the reading tables are well supplied with current literature. To the usual variety have been added this season, the "Louisville Courier- Journal," "Portland Oregonian," "Chicago Record- Herald," "Chicago Inter-Ocean," and the Washington, D. C., "Post."
In closing, I wish to thank my assistants for their faithful and conscientious work, and the Trustees for continued interest and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
LETITIA S. ALLEN,
Librarian.
Report of the Inspector of Wires.
I hereby submit the following report of the Inspec- tion of Wires Department for the year. This depart- ment was established in April, 1904, in conformity with the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 122, Section 18, and the adoption of the same was a step in the right direction.
Electricity today has passed that so-called infancy stage and has from a commercial standpoint grown to be a large factor towards producing power and light to our factories, and light and heat in our homes. To accomplish this it becomes necessary to have suitable conductors on our streets and in our buildings for con- veying the current, which are, when improperly in- stalled, a source of danger to life and property, and it is to meet this condition that the Department of Inspec - tion of Wires was established. It has come to the In- spector's attention that houses have been wired by amateurs, unskilled in the art of wiring, and the re- quirements in such cases, which is a menace to life and property. The Inspector has also found it the custom in many factories to do their own wiring and install lights at random, regardless of the Fire Underwriters' rules in such cases, instead of employing a competent electrician to do the work. A practice common among all the factories, of the most serious nature, is the habit ' of hitching pieces of wire to the cords of their drop lamps and fastening same to water, gas and steam pipes, for adjusting the position of the same. This is a de-
125
ANNUAL REPORT.
cidedly dangerous practice, and it should be the duty of the foreman in every factory to see that these wires are removed. In one of the factories the Inspector visited he found 50% of all the lights fastened in this way.
In residences the Inspector has found that the cellar or basement light is very seldom located in just the right location when the wiring is installed, and is gen- erally relocated by the house owner or tenant by means of splicing the cord, and invariably is fastened to agas or water pipe for support. The effect of this is that the insulation on the cords or wires may become defective or punctured, causing the whole service to become grounded, whereby, when in this condition, a person standing on a damp floor or a floor lined with metal (which is very apt to be in very close proximity to a water, steam, or gas pipe), is liable to receive a severe shock when grasping the defective wire or fitting.
Owners or occupants of buildings must see that these serious defects are remedied, as it is a physical impos- sibility for the Inspector to watch over about 10,000 fixtures for these defects. It is the duty of every con- sumer of electric light or power to see that the wiring and fixtures on his or her premises are in first-class con- dition, and that all such wiring and fixtures do not come in contact with any metallic part of the building, and when it becomes necessary to make any alterations or repairs, engage the services of a competent electrician to do the work.
We have in our streets various systems of wires, viz .: electric light, telephone, telegraph, fire alarm, electric clock, and private wires, which require attention from the Inspector, and during the year a great many de- fective poles of the various companies were considered dangerous and were ordered replaced.
During the year this department has made 148 in- spections in connection with interior wiring, and takes this opportunity of printing the Rules and Regulations. of the Wire Inspection Department.
126
ANNUAL REPORT.
Section I. By a vote of the town March 7, 1904, and by appointment of the Selectmen March 9, 1904, an In- spection of Wires Department is hereby established according to the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, Chap- ter 122, Section 18, and the following abstracts from it and other laws and ordinances will govern the Inspector to faithfully discharge his duties. An Inspector of Wires shall be at the head of the department. He shall hold office from the first day of April following, for the term of one year, and until another is appointed in his place. He shall be appointed by the Selectmen, and his salary shall be fixed by vote of the same board. He shall keep a record of the business of his department, and submit to the Selectmen in time for publication in the Annual Town Report a yearly report of such business.
Sec. 2. The Inspector of Wires shall have supervision of all electric and other wires erected upon, over or under any street, way or building, and of every wire within any building, when such wire is designed to carry electric lighting or power currents, and shall have authority over, and shall inspect such wires, their con- dition, attachments, insulation, supports and appliances so as to secure safety to life and property, and shall see that the provisions of Chapter 404 of the Acts of 1890, and all other laws, ordinances and regulations relating to electric and other wires, are strictly enforced; and shall give notice promptly to any person or corporation owning or operating any such wire, when in his judg- ment the same is unsafe, or is not placed and kept and maintained in accordance with the requirements of said Chapter or the provisions of any other law, ordinance or regulation.
Sec. 3. Said Inspector shall, at least once in each year, inspect all poles supporting electric or other wires upon or over any street or building, and all supports of such wires when attached to buildings, and ascertain if all said poles and supports are not weakened by decay or other causes; and in case a person or corporation
.
127
ANNUAL REPORT.
owning, leasing or operating wires shall neglect or re- fuse to cut out and remove any wire so abandoned for use, said Inspector shall remove such wires at the ex- pense of such person or corporation.
Sec. 4. Every person or corporation owning, leasing or operating such wires, within twenty-four hours after written notice served by said Inspector, shall make such substitution, repairs or alterations of such poles, sup- ports or attachments as may be required by said Inspector.
Sec. 5. All wires, appliances and apparatus in the in- terior of public buildings or on private premises, and which are intended for the transmission of electricity and to be connected with an outside circuit, shall be made, placed and arranged, and at all times kept to the satis- faction of said Inspector; and said Inspector, at all proper and reasonable times, shall have access to such wires, apparatus or appliances. No person shall put in place, change or alter the position of any such wires, appliances or apparatus, without having first notified the Inspector, who shall be given full opportunity to inspect the same before they shall be covered or enclosed. No wires shall be placed in any building in process of con- struction until all gas, steam, sewer, water and furnace pipes have been placed in proper position.
Sec. 6. Wires in the interior of any public building or on private premises, intended to be connected with an outside circuit, shall not be so connected with any wire or wires crossing or running along, over or under any street or way, without written permission having been obtained therefor from the said Inspector.
Sec. 7. Every person or corporation operating electric or other wires upon, over or under, any street, way or building in the town, upon the request of such Inspector, shall furnish him within fifteen days thereafter, accurate lists of the poles or other supports of their wires, the number of cross arm's in use with each and the number of wires attached thereto, the locations of conduits and
128
ANNUAL REPORT.
manholes, with information as to localities where and what service is rendered, whether telegraphic, tele- phonic, fire alarm or otherwise.
Sec. 8. The said Inspector, upon request, shall also be furnished by any person or corporation owning or operating electric wires with such information as to kind, size and tested strength of supporting or service wires, the average volts charged or used, together with such other information as may by him be considered necessary to the faithful and effectual discharge of his duties.
Sec. 9. Whenever the Selectmen shall so require, said Inspector shall examine every application for the erec- tion or placing of any electric wires or of poles for the support of same, in or over any street or public place, or for the laying or construction of any pipes or con- duits for such wires under any street or public place, and shall report to the said Board any facts which, in his opinion, would affect its decision in acting upon such application.
Sec. 10. In no case shall a current of electricity be. connected to any system of wiring or apparatus intended to be used for power or lighting without permission being first obtained and a written permit granted by the Inspector of Wires; the jurisdiction of the Inspector is intended to include all public and private electrical systems that are now and may hereafter be installed in the town of Attleborough.
Sec. II. The Inspector shall require that the estab- lished rules and regulations of the National Electric Code shall be used as the standard of wiring adopted by this department.
Sec. 12. The granting of locations for poles, and the height of same, is under the direction of the Selectmen, who may at any time, and from time to time in their discretion direct changes to be made therein as the public safety may require.
129
ANNUAL REPORT.
Sec. 13. In case of fire the Chief Engineer or the Engineer acting as such, shall have full power and authority to order and cause any electric wire or wires to be cut or removed, and electric current discontinued until the fire is extinguished.
Sec. 14. Every person or corporation engaging in the business of wiring buildings or other electrical work in the town of Attleborough shall first satisfy the Inspector of Wires that he or they are competent to perform such work, and all work done shall be reported on the official forms of this department.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.