USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1916 > Part 6
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I report to the State Board of Health on a blank form every three months as to my inspection. The State Board of Health Inspectors make frequent inspections regarding this work.
Yours respectfully,
HUGH GAW, V. S.,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
Attleboro, December 15, 1916.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals from April 1, 1915, to December 15, 1916.
Contagious diseases of animals under provision of Chapter 90, Section 28, shall include glanders, farcy, mange, contagious pleuro- pneumonia, tuberculosis, Texas Fever, foot and mouth disease, rinder- pest, hog cholera, rabies, anthrax or anthroid diseases, sheep scab and actinomycosis.
Rabies. Thirteen dogs were quarantined as they had bitten same number of persons in the different sections of this city. They were kept under observation for a certain period under the suspicion of rabies. Two of these dogs developed rabies and were killed by Dog
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ANNUAL REPORT
Officer Winfield Dunham. The heads of these two dogs were forwarded to the Department of Animal Industry, Boston, Mass. They reported them to be positive cases. One dog was destroyed by me at the owner's request after the term of observation had expired. The rest of the dogs were released from quarantine as they developed no symptoms of rabies.
Tuberculosis. I quarantined ten cows on physical examination. All of these cows proved to have tuberculosis. They were killed by me in the owner's presence and they all proved to be afflicted with tuberculosis. After the carcasses had been saturated with carbolic acid they were buried. In each case the owner received compensation from the Department of Animal Industry.
One hog was found to exist with tuberculosis and it was de- stroyed.
Glanders. Three horses were quarantined under the suspicion of having glanders. Blood tests were made and two of these tests proved to be negative and the other one positive. The positive case, the horse was killed and rendered by N. Roy & Son.
Hog Cholera. Hog Cholera was found to exist in three different piggeries. The Department of Animal Industry was called in and they vaccinated all the pigs with hog cholera serum. In one piggery they saved 100% of the pigs. In one case 25% were lost and in the other case 90% were saved.
I would suggest to all swine breeders to be careful about visiting other piggeries as this is a very infectious disease and is carried on shoes and clothing, and I should also recommend to swine breeders to call in the Department of Animal Industry to vaccinate all the stock as the only charge made by this department is for the serum they use.
Tuberculine test. Fifty-nine Inter-state cattle were shipped into the City of Attleboro and they were all tested with Tuberculine by me to make sure that they were free from tuberculosis before being released from quarantine.
Wherever a contagious disease was found to exist the owners were compelled to clean and disinfect their stables.
Yours respectfully,
HUGH GAW, V. S., Inspector of Animals.
REPORT OF CATTLE INSPECTOR.
Attleboro, Jan. 16, 1917.
Mayor Harold E. Sweet,
Dear Sir :-
As Cattle Inspector, at your request I submit my report from Jan. 1, 1916, to March 31, 1916. I visited 138 stables and found: 720 cows, 193 young cattle, 25 bulls, 6 oxen, 714 swine, 4 sheep, 3 goats.
Respectfully submitted,
E. V. CARPENTER.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING TO CITY HEALTH OFFICER.
City Health Officer, Attleboro, Mass.
Sir :-
The following report of work performed by the Inspector of Plumb- ing during the year 1916 is hereby submitted.
Permits granted for plumbing during 1916 146
Number of new buildings 22
Number of plumbing in old buildings 124
Number of water-closets installed 120
Number of sinks installed 101
Number of wash trays installed. 14
Number of lavatories installed
79
Number of slop sinks installed.
2
Number of bath-tubs installed
68
Number of changes in work by order of Inspector
37
Number of sewer joints inspected. 215
Number of consultations of plumbers with owners
68
Number of registered plumbers in Attleboro 42
Number of inspections made in plumbing.
152
Number of sewer connections 60
Number of urinals installed 8
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. READ.
SUMMARY REPORT OF MILK AND DAIRY INSPECTION.
Attleboro, December 15, 1916.
To Dr. R. P. Kent, Health Officer,
Dear Sir :-
I hereby submit my report as Milk Inspector and Agent for the Health Department for the year ending December 1, 1916. The re- port consists of a summary of the work done during 1916 in safe- guarding the food supply of the City of Attleboro, although special emphasis can be laid on the inspection of milk and milk products. The whole work was considered and dealt with from two view-points.
1. Chemical Quality.
This work includes the chemical analysis of milk, cream and ice cream. Samples of each of the above were secured from the producer as well as the distributor and in each case were subjected to a com- plete chemical analysis, in so far as the equipment of the laboratory of the Attleboro Health Department permitted.
84
ANNUAL REPORT
A brief summary of the chemical analysis: Total number of milk samples taken and analyzed ..
635
Milk samples from producers and peddlers now in business 367
Milk samples from producers and peddlers now out of business. 141
Average fat, content. 3.73%
Average total solids, content. 12.26%
Samples below standard.
90 or 17.71%
Samples found to contain added water.
6 or 1.18%
Samples having part of cream removed. 4 or 0.79%
Milk samples taken from stores and restaurants.
127
Average fat, content. 3.29%
Average total solids, content
11.93%
Samples below standard.
44 or 34.65%
Samples found to contain added water.
8 or 6.30%
Samples having part of cream removed.
10 or 7.88%
Samples having both added water and cream re- moved
6 or 4.88%
Total number of cream samples taken and analyzed Average fat content.
28.%
Total number of ice cream samples taken and an- alyzed
36
Average fat content. 11.52%
Samples below 7.% fat content.
5 or
14.%
Samples containing unusual amount of filler ...
8 or 22.%
A more complete report may prove more interesting and useful and is consequently included here.
Name
No. of samples taken
Average fat content
Aver. total solids content
Below standard
Adulter- ated
Alger, Isaac
13
4.24
12.77
1
0
Alpert, Samuel
3
3.28
11.71
2
0
Anderson, August
2
3.30
11.82
2
0
Bauer, Christopher
13
3.76
12.18
1
0
Bliss, T. K.
25
3.82
12.01
5
0
Bowen, William B 29
3.32
11.68
12
0
Cole, Pearl
27
3.51
12.15
7
0
Cooper, Fred
6
4.18
12.94
0
0
Edgwater Dairy
18
3.56
12.14
5
0
Fine, Charles
27
3.86
12.54
1
()
Friedman, Samuel
21
3.76
12.38
4
0
Globus, Michael
22
3.98
12.75
2
0
Guimond, H. B.
11
3.38
12.05
2
0
Hogberg, Kenneth
14
3.83
12.27
1
0
Horton, Frank O
12
3.95
12.38
3
Kaufman, S. C.
29
3.94
12.25
S
6
0
Kindberg, August
4
3.69
11.96
2
0
Kratsch, W. R.
22
3.58
12.13
5
0
Kratsch, C. E.
8
3.77
12.16
3
0
Newton, Walter
2
3.72
11.83
1
0
Perry, Frank S.
12
3.74
12.32
3
0
Smith, A. D.
2
4.13
13.13
0
0
Tingly, J. O.
9
4.15
12.78
0
0
Wendell, Olof O ..
19
3.80
12.32
1
0
*Two samples had added water.
¡Four samples had added water.
Kimball, A. L.
17
3.48
12.03
29
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ANNUAL REPORT
A word of explanation regarding the term "samples below stand- ard" seems in place now. The Massachusetts standard for pure milk is, fat content 3.35% and total solids 12.15%. Yet pure milk very often falls below this set standard and consequently has to be classed as below standard. Whenever the milk was considerably below stand- ard the person from whom the sample was taken was notified that unless improvement in quality takes place within 21 days the case would be prosecuted.
On the whole the chemical quality of the milk now sold in Attle- boro has been brought to a high standard. Only two dealers were found with adulterated milk during the past year. One improved immediately, on notification and the other is on the road to improve- ment. The most of the poor milk sold in Attleboro was that put out by the stores and restaurants. Almost all of the stores at the beginning of the year sold milk from cans delivered by the milkman. The milk was seldom mixed and as a result the product sold was not of uni- form quality. A large percentage of the milk was adulterated, not only by watering and skimming but often by both at the same time. However, constant supervision brought about a marked change, for now very few of the stores sell milk other than in bottles filled and capped in the dairy and as delivered by the milkman. The improve- ment in quality might be noted here.
First Six Months of Year.
Total number of samples taken from stores and restaurants 52
Samples below standard. 40 or 76.92%
Samples having added water. 8 or 15.58%
Samples having cream partially removed. 10 or 19.26%
Samples being both skimmed and watered. . . 6 or 11.55%
Second Six Months of Year.
Total number of samples taken from stores and restaurants 75
Samples below standard. 4 or 5.33%
Samples adulterated 0
The dealers and manufacturers of ice cream who sold a product that was considered below standard, were immediately notified and they promptly improved their ice cream.
2. Cleanliness or Sanitary Conditions.
The supervision of the cleanliness, especially of milk and ice cream, might well be considered the most important and the most necessary work of this department. This is true largely because of the following reasons:
1. The State now exercises little if any supervision of this char- acter, the work being left almost entirely to local authorities, whereas their supervision of chemical quality is stringent.
2. The public knows little (and often cares less) of the sanitary conditions under which their food is produced.
3. The cleanliness of milk sold in Attleboro is far below the standard and is very unsatisfactory.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
4. The sanitary conditions of some of the dairies producing milk for Attleboro is very poor and continues to be so unless re- peated inspections are made.
5. The sanitary condition of almost all of the places where ice cream is manufactured in Attleboro is truly deplorable and needs immediate attention.
This branch of the work of this Department can be divided under the following heads:
A. Stores Where Food Is Sold.
Almost all of the stores within the city limits were visited and inspected. Special attention was paid to the sanitary condition of the places, such as ice-chests and refrigerators, where food was stored. Wherever it was necessary, recommendations and even re- quests, were made. After a reasonable lapse of time a second in- spection was made to ascertain if the requirements have been com- plied with. On the whole the sanitary conditions of the stores were fairly satisfactory.
B. Bakeries.
All of the bakeries in the City of Attleboro were inspected. Recom- mendations were made which would lead to the exclusion of dust and flies from places where food was made and kept. In this re- spect as well as in nearly all other sanitary requirements, the bakeries were well up to the mark. Those which were not, speedily complied with what was pointed out as being necessary.
C. Ice Cream Plants.
All of the ice cream plants in Attleboro were visited at least several times during the summer. With the exception of one, all of them are not whorthy of recommendation, and should be forced to make radical changes another year. The ice cream plants here are located in damp cellars where no sunlight could enter during any part of the day, in fact the most of them are even without windows. Such places are impossible to keep clean even with the best of care. In short they are places unfit for the production of food which is so easily contaminable as is ice cream.
D. Dairies.
It was the plan this year to inspect each dairy before a license could be granted. For the most part this was done. Because of in- adequate means of transportation it was impossible to continue the system of monthly inspections of all dairies selling milk in Attle- boro, which was begun last year. And because of this irregular supervision, the scores of the dairies dropped in nearly every case.
In regard to the inspection and scoring of dairies it can be said that unless the work is carried on continuously it is almost altogether useless. Hence the records of the dairies presented in this report cannot be taken as a direct measure of the sanitary condition of these places. Furthermore, in the majority of cases only one in- spection was made and that in the busy season of the year. Yet enough has been observed to convince the Inspector that some of the dairies have not improved and do not mean to improve unless forced to do so by the most drastic measures.
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Space might be given here for a brief summary of the dairy in- spection during 1916.
Total number of dairies inspected and scored .... 52
Total number of dairies inspected but not scored
43
Total number of dairies inspected. 95
Average score of dairies 72%
Dairies above 80%
7 or 13.5%
Dairies between 70% and 80% .
22 or 42.3%
Dairies between 60% and 70%. 20 or 38.4%
Dairies below 60%
Average number of cows supplying milk to Attle- boro
Average number of quarts of milk sold daily in Attleboro
7,000
Consumption per capita (18,000 estimated) ...
0.39 qt.
Number of producers or dairymen going out of business during 1916. 7
Number of producers discontinuing the retail busi- ness
4
Complete Summary of Dairy Inspection.
Name
Aver. No. of Milk sold Grade at cows kept daily, qts. last insp.
Remarks
Alger, Isaac
10
80
63
Unsatisfactory
Albert, Samuel
6
30
Anderson, August
9
50
771/2
Armstrong, Wm. O
5
35 64
Bauer, Christopher
19
180
80 1/2
Banks, R. A .. .
4
40
541/2
Bliss, Charles S.
20
180
77
Bliss, Albert A.
12
60
75
Bliss, T. K.
*
500
89
Bowen, William B.
15
150
7212
Cargill, Walter B.
4
25
451/2
Unsatisfactory Out of business
Carpenter, Harry L.
12
130
75 1/2
Carpenter, John H.
10
100
City Farm
6
30
641/2
Cobb, Mrs. (Edgewater Dairy)
24
130
801/2
Cole, F. W
6
40
69
Cole, Perle
32
200
821/2
Cooper, Alvin
. .. .
Was refused li- cense, so now sells out of State
Refuses to answer questions
Fine, Charles
15
120
801/2
Fischbach, John
2
25
681/2
Friedman, Samuel
18
130
79
No longer retails
Globus, Michael
14
80
781/2
Gorman, George
7
50
Jones, James
10
80
Guimond, H. B. .
350
82
Guimond, Joseph
16
110
+
Hogberg, Kenneth
11
130
79
Horton, Frank O.
8
90
70 1/2
; or 5.8% 650
Brown, E. B.
6
40
. ...
Cooper, Fred
. ..
88
ANNUAL REPORT
Complete Summary of Dairy Inspection-Continued.
Name
Aver. No. of Milk sold
Grade at Remarks
cows kept daily, qts
lastinsp.
Jones, William
5
20
70
No longer retails
Kaufman, S. C.
20
180
72
Kimball, A. L.
15
140
731/2
Kindberg, August
9
55
671/2
Kratsch, William R.
*
350
791/2
Kratsch, Charles E. .
27
180
72
Lillibridge, Charles W
4
30
Lindberg, Andes
8
65
751/2
Martin, Andrew
5
30
681/2
Monroe, Ben F.
11
80
6512
No longer sells in Attleboro
Newton, Walter
8
60
75
Pass, George
12
80
69
Pedro, John
9
60
71
Perry, Frank M.
8
60
Perry, Frank S.
7
80
67
Pettit. John
11
80
621/2
Provost, John
4
50
79
Reynolds, V. I
Ross, A. G.
4
40
75
Rounds, E. B.
5
30
Smith, A. D. .
3
50
68
Thayer, Mrs. O
17
150
72
Thurbur, A. S.
3
25
55
Out of business
Tingley, J. O.
8
50
71
Vickery, W. A.
16
85
--
Wall, Michael
3
20
601/2
Unsatisfactory
Wallace, Thomas
2
35
681/2
Wendell, Olof O
40
400
841/2
West, George E.
5
35
67
Williams, George E.
13
100
72
Zilch, Adam
10
60
751/2
No longer retails
*Has only dairy but no cows.
+Not scored but satisfactory.
What approaches more nearly the modern system of inspection was commenced in the latter part of 1916. This is the taking of milk temperatures and the making of sediment tests. Both were done in the presence of the milkman or distributer and the results shown here:
Total number of temperature tests made.
88
Lowest temperature of milk.
50°F.
Highest temperature of milk .. 78°F.
Total number of sediment tests made
98
Tests classified as very clean
3
Tests classified as clean
26
Tests classified as slightly dirty
30
Tests classified as dirty
21
Tests classified as very dirty
8
. .
No longer retails Out of business No longer sells in Attleboro
Out of business Unsatisfactory
Thurbur, A. S., Jr
75
89
ANNUAL REPORT
Detailed Record of Temperatures and Cleanliness.
Cleanliness - No. of samples-
Name
Temp. below aver., deg.
Lowest temp. of milk 58°F.
Very clean
Clean Slightly Dirty dirty
Very dirt
Anderson, August
Bauer, Christopher
8
70°F.
2
1
Bliss, T. K ..
2-12
58ºF.
4
3
Bowen, W. B
6-12
60°F.
1
1
1
Cole, Perle .
9-10
68°F.
1
5
Edgewater Dairy
4-18
60°F.
2
1
1
Fine, Charles
5-18
55°F.
1
2
Friedman, S.
13-14
65°F.
2
1
1
Globus, M.
6- 8
60°F.
2
1
1
Guimond, H. B
8-22
50°F.
3
1
Hogberg, K.
3
75°F.
3
Horton, F. O.
10-28
50°F.
3
1
Kaufman
5-14
54°F.
1
3
2
Kimball, A. L.
3
1
Kindberg, A.
1
Kratsch, W. R.
5- 7
55°F.
3
3
Kratsch, C. E.
8-22
50°F.
3
1
1
Perry, Frank S.
8-10
60 - F.
1
1
1
Tingley, J. O.
10
68ºF.
1
1
1
Newton, W.
1
Smith, A. D. .
1
Wendell, Olof O ..
. .
16
62ºF.
2
2
The above table gives a comparatively direct knowledge of the sanitary quality of the milk sold in Attleboro. The temperature if high indicates improper cooling and storage and consequently a high bacterial count. The cleanliness table may be read directly to indi- cate the conditions under which the milk is handled. Milk samples being classified as dirty indicate a dirty stable, dirty cows, dirty and dusty utensils and improper care. However, there is small relation- ship between the visible dirt in milk and bacterial count. Milk can very often be very dirty and yet have a low bacteria count.
Considered as a whole the above table rightfully gives a very poor impression of Attleboro's milk supply. The requirement for temperature in Massachusetts is that no milk shall be sold which at the time of sale is above 50ºF. Yet in Attleboro there is hardly a milkman who sells milk at a temperature as low as 50°F. The State requires that no milk be sold which has in it visible dirt when passed through a cotton strainer. Yet almost all the milk sold in Attleboro has in it visible dirt, often of a most sufficient quantity. Bacterial tests made by the Milk Inspector, of some sources of Attleboro's milk supply (not in connection with inspection work in Attleboro) indi- cate a bacteria count up in the millions.
It is hoped that as soon as the consumer begins to recognize the necessity of good clean milk, the demand will compel the pro- ducer to make necessary changes that will result in such milk. But since the consumer is often incompetent to recognize and distinguish apart milk of different qualities, a system of grading and standard- ization, if adopted by the city might prove of infinitessimal value to the consumer as well as the producer.
Respectfully submitted,
SOLOMON FINE.
3
1
Alger, Isaac
2- 4
1
2
4
Cooper, Fred
90
ANNUAL REPORT
MEETINGS ATTENDED BY THE MILK INSPECTOR.
At the National Dairy Show in Springfield, the Massachusetts Milk Inspectors' Association, together with the International Milk Inspectors' Association, held a convention. At this Attleboro was represented by the Milk Inspector, who is a member of the Massachu- setts Association. Lectures and demonstrations pertaining to milk inspection were attended by the local Inspector. From there he gained many ideas which are applicable to the improvement of the inspection here.
The tenth annual meeting of the Massachusetts Milk Inspectors, held at Springfield, was also attended by the local Inspector. Here also lectures by eminent authorities on milk subjects were enjoyed by the Attleboro representative. In connection with this meeting the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture held a milk products show and a clean milk contest. In this Attleboro entered. Several classes were open into which the Health Department or the local milkmen could enter. The results of this contest were gratifying for every entry from Attleboro won a very commendable placing.
Especially interesting is Class 5, open to city and town Health Boards. Samples of four pint or quart bottles were taken from the milk wagons or dairies and shipped to Amherst where they were scored. The scoring was done on the basis of bacteria, freedom from dirt, odor, taste, appearance and chemical composition. Attleboro stood seventh, and as follows:
Brockton 95.86%
Williamstown 89.76%
Somerville 92.87%
Springfield
89.68%
Worcester
92.76%
Lowell
87.65%
Barnstable
92.75%
New Bedford
86.87%
Fitchburg
92.39%
Westfield
85.00%
North Adams
92.09%
Lawrence 72.00%
Attleboro
92.08%
Amesbury
67.87%
Winchendon
91.36%
The individual standing of the milk submitted can also be in- cluded.
First:
Edgewater Dairy. 96.50%
Second: A. L. Kimball.
95.50%
Third: Charles Fine 94.00%
Fourth:
Christopher Bauer
93.66%
Fifth:
Perle Cole
90.12%
Sixth: Olof O. Wendell
82.70%
The most of the records are unusually good and deserve high commendation. One thing worthy of note is that the bacteria count did not go above 80,000 in any case and in two cases went as low as 1,600.
In Class 1, open to Massachusetts retail dealers for raw milk produced in Massachusetts, Attleboro was again well represented. Here, however, the competition was the most severe for there were an unusually large number of entries, probably 200. F. J. Clough of Elmwood Farm, stood 10th with 96.10%, T. K. Bliss stood 12th with 96.00%, and Charles Fine 14th with 95.75%.
In Class 3, for market milk sold in Massachusetts regardless of where produced, Attleboro won highest honors. Out of more than fifty competitors Charles Fine stood 2nd with 95.75%, F. J. Clough
91
ANNUAL REPORT
of Elmwood Farm 3rd with 95.70% and J. O. Tingley 4th with 93.74%. In Class 6, open to Massachusetts producers only, H. Car- penter was 17th out of possibly one hundred, with a score of 95.40%.
These records show that the Attleboro milk dealers can produce clean milk when they care to. Now it is up to the consumers to force them to do so. If they will demand a product of high quality they can get it.
Respectfully submitted,
SOLOMON FINE,
Milk Inspector and Agent for Health Dept.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would recommend that ice cutting be abolished upon the City water supply.
I would recommend that money be appropriated for the estab- lishment of a public swimming pool.
I would recommend that the City hold two clean-up days a year. I would recommend that all back yards, barns and dumps be kept in as neat and clean a condition as possible in order that the Health Department may do its share, the ensuing year, in keeping down the expected epidemic of Infantile Paralysis and other contagious diseases.
I most strongly urge that money be appropriated to equip a lab- oratory for the examination of food products and milk-without this our department is greatly handicapped in its work.
I would recommend that money be appropriated for supplies for the Dental Clinic.
R. P. KENT,
Health Officer.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Attleboro, Mass., December 21, 1916.
To the Honorable Mayor and Council of the City of Attleboro,
Gentlemen :-
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their report for the year 1916 :-
During the year there has been but very little done in the way of permanent improvements. We had an unusually cool, wet season, consequently, we had to keep everlastingly at it to keep the weeds down. The lawns had to be mown often which is quite an item con- sidering the large territory that has to be cut.
The Park is in a presentable condition for the winter,-the beds have all been cleaned and edges cut. A Park wants to be made as attractive as possible the entire year.
The shrubs and trees in the triangle, leading from the Pierian rustic house to the zoo, was donated by the Pierian Club, also the maple grove in front of the rustic house.
In 1911 Mr. C. O. Sweet donated a grove of purple leaf beech,- all are alive and doing nicely. They are a slow growing tree but in a few years they will make a very pretty showing.
Last year the trees in the Park had a thorough trimming.
Athletic Field.
We commenced operations on the Athletic Field, October 1st. with the expectation of completing same this fall but did not succeed in doing so owing to lack of funds. Mayor Sweet said there would be a little money available from the Capron Estate. We undertook to raise the balance of the amount required by subscription and it was the hardest task we ever undertook,-we don't propose to repeat it. A few donated very liberally, and a few with lesser amounts. We got more knocks than money. Some did not hesitate to express them- selves very freely,-they seemed to think that it was the City's place to maintain the Park.
The Commissioners were very anxious to have an athletic field worthy of the name and as the City could not or would not appropriate an amount large enough to do the work, we had to do the next best thing. The ground was in a deplorable condition,-four feet higher in some places than others and covered with rocks. A portion of the ground had to be lowered from two to three feet. It ought to have been finished this fall so the ground would be settling; if it had been we could have put in the seed early and had a good tough greensward ready for the playground opening. The ground was full of stone that had to be carted off, the gravel was used for filling. It will cost from four to five hundred dollars to complete the work.
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