USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1917 > Part 6
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
c. Sediment tests are taken as often as possible. A pint of milk is passed through a strainer, in which all dirt and dust in the milk is deposited on a cotton disk. The samples are graded according to the quantity of dirt visible to the naked eye and through a 3-x magnifier.
d. Bacteriological tests are made as often as possible. The num- ber of bacteria per. c. c. is determined by the direct stain and by the plate method. The latter is taken as final. Whenever possible the type of bacteria is determined- but this can be done only superficially because of the limi- tation of time. However the presence of manure bacteria is nearly always ascertained quite readily.
II. Chemical.
a. The percent. of fat is determined.
·b. The percent. of solids is determined.
c. Any adulteration, such as the addition of water, skimming, the addition of color, preservatives or any other foreign material is ascertained.
Taking all of these things into consideration, the milk samples are scored. The score card adapted to local conditions is as follows:
Item
Perfect Score 50%
1. Bacteria Count
10,000 per. c. c. or less 50%
10,000 to 50,000 per. c. c .. 40%
50,000 to 200,000 per. c. c .. . 20% More than 200,000 per. c. c. 0
2. Sediment Test 20%
Very clean 20%
Clean 15%
Slightly dirty 10%
Dirty
5%
Very dirty
0
3. Fat Content 15%
Fat content, 7% or over. 15%
Fat content, below 3.35% 0
4. Total Solids 15%
Total solids, 13% or over. 15%
Total solids, below 12.15%. 0
With this system of scoring as a basis, the samples are then classified as follows:
Class I, scoring 90% or over.
Class II, scoring 80-90%.
Class III, scoring 70-80%.
Class IV, scoring below 70%.
The scoring may not be ideal, but it is the best that could be de- vised under existing conditions. With judicious application it can be made to serve its purpose very readily, in that it brings to the atten- tion of the public, the relative quality of the milk, in a clear and simp- lified way.
82
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF WORK TO SEPT. 15, 1917.
Inspection of Stores, Bakeries, Ice Cream Plants and Dairies.
As far as possible and as occasion demanded, stores or places where food is produced or sold, were inspected. Whenever a license was granted, the place was previously examined and recommenda- tions made. In general it can be said that the condition of such places was much the same as reported for 1916.
Licenses granted for sale of milk to September 15, 1917. 85
Butterine licenses to September 15, 1917. 4 Permits granted to producers to September 15, 1917. 51
Inspection of Water.
Samples of Water from the Attleboro pumping station were taken at intervals of about a month and subjected to a bacteriological exam- ination. The results revealed the fact that our water supply is of exceptionally high quality. The filter beds act efficiently in removing practically all of the bacteria brought down from the reservoir. In all, over thirty samples of water were taken and examined. Several samples taken from private wells were examined for residents of Attleboro.
Inspection of Ice Cream.
During the warm weather ice cream samples were gathered for inspection bi-monthly. These were examined bacteriologically and
chemically. The summary follows:
Chemical examinations of ice cream. 82
Average fat content. 10.2%
Number of samples below 7%. 2
Bacteriological examinations of ice cream. 82
Number of samples having below 1,000,000 bacteria per. c. c .. 14
Note-(Invariably the bacterial content of ice cream is very high.)
Inspection of Milk and Cream.
Milk and cream samples were taken from milk-carts, stores and dairies at frequent intervals. In nearly all of the cases the samples were inspected and analyzed according to the method previously out- lined; and where the system of grading was adopted, they were scored and so placed in some one of the four grades. A summary of this phase of work is included as follows:
I. Sanitary.
Number of samples examined bacteriologically. 102
Number of samples in group IV. 14
Percent. of samples in group IV. 14 %
Number of sediment tests .. 138
Number of sediment tests classed dirty or very dirty. 32
Percent. of sediment tests classed dirty or very dirty 23 %
II. Chemical.
Number of samples of milk tested chemically 539
Average fat content. 3.84%
Average total solids. 12.35%
Number of samples from milkmen.
464
Average fat content.
3.92%
Average total solids.
12.42%
83
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of samples from stores, etc. Average fat content. 3.45%
75
Average total solids .. 12.02%
Total samples below legal standard.
60 or 11%
Total samples found with added water.
3 or
1/2%
Total samples found with cream partially removed.
12 or
2%
Number of samples of cream tested chemically
22
Average fat content. 32%
Comparison with the report for 1916, indicates clearly that the quality of Attleboro's milk supply is becoming much better. It is the belief of the Milk Inspector that fair and constant supervision and frank co-operation between the farmers, the consumers and the Health Department will result in an ideal milk supply for our city.
A complete summary of the individual records is here given. In- stead of including in it all of the details, as has been customary in the past, this time just the grade is given. If anyone is interested to find out the exact fat, total solids or bacterial content of the milk of any milkman, the desired information can easily be obtained from the files at the Inspector's office.
Name
Alger, Isaac
Grade .I and II
Remarks
Anderson, August .II
Bauer, Christopher .I
Bliss, T. K.
II, III and IV
Bowen, W.
II and III
Cole, Perle
II
Cooper, Fred .I and II
Edgewater Dairy
. II, III and IV
Fine, Charles
II and III
Friedman, Samuel
Out of business Out of business
Globus, Michael Guimond, H. B. II, III and IV
Gorman, George II
Hagberg, Kenneth II
Horton, Frank O. II
Jones & Globus.
.II, III and IV
Kaufman, Abraham
.II, III and IV
Kimball, A. G. .
Out of business
Kindberg, August .II
Kratsch, William R. .II and III
Kratsch, Charles E.
I and II
Newton, Walter
III
Perry, Frank S
II, III and IV
Martin, Andrew .I
Smith, A. D.
I
Small number of samples taken Small number of samples taken
Tingly, J. O. I and II
Wendell, Olof O. II, III and IV
Where it is indicated that a milkman has milk in more than one grade as II, III and IV, it does not mean that he sells milk of different grades or qualities. It just shows that either there is a variation in the quality from time to time, a condition which is unavoidable in the best of dairies; or else that there has been an improvement since the classification was first put into practice. The above grades represent those into which all of the samples taken during the year, were
84
ANNUAL REPORT
placed; they are not the averages. The average grade would beyond any doubt be by far the most fair and the most easily understood, but the complete system of grading has not been long enough in operation to warrant publishing such an average. When the average of the grades for six months or more could be had, it is safe enough and fair enough to be published.
The number of cows supplying milk to Attleboro has decreased from 650 in 1916 to 580 this year. The average quantity (estimated) of milk sold has also decreased from 7,000 in 1916 to 5,500 this year.
In closing his final report, the Milk Inspector hopes that the work which he began should be continued, and that the milkmen and farm- ers should continue the improvements of which they already know the importance and should co-operate among themselves, not only for their own profit and protection but to make the Attleboro milk supply better and safer.
Respectfully submitted,
SOLOMON FINE.
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1917.
To Dr. Ralph P. Kent, Health Officer,
Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in presenting to you the report of my work done in connection with the Health Department, dating from September 15 to December 15 of the year 1917.
The work has been carried on as far as possible as outlined by the former milk inspector with your approval; this being very satisfac- tory and I find that the system adopted by this department in carry- ing on its work compares very favorably with the systems used in the best laboratories. In some respects we may even claim superiority for the very reason that our analysis of milk and milk products is more and goes into more details. You may be easily convinced of this by comparing the methods used in our laboratory with those used in most other laboratories as far as.I was able to observe. They are as follows:
Milk Analysis in Other Cities. Physical Analysis.
(1) Cleanliness of dairy and utensils.
(2) Health of cows.
Chemical Analysis.
(1) Total solids.
(2) Percent. fat.
(3) Adulterants and preserva- tives.
Bacteriological Analysis.
(1) Total number of bacteria.
Milk Analysis in Attleboro. Physical Analysis.
Same as in other cities with the addition of the "sedimenta- tion" test, by which means we may detect the minutest quantiy of dirt and dust in milk.
Chemical Analysis.
(1) Specific gravity.
(2) Percent. fat.
(3) Total solids.
(4) Solids other than fat.
(5) Adulterants and preserva- tives.
Bacteriological Analysis.
(1) Total number of bateria.
(2) Bacteria that grow at our body temperature.
(3) Dextrose fermenting bac- teria.
(4) Bacteria producing putre- faction.
85
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of Samples Analyzed and Results.
The grading system is the same as previously adopted by this depart- ment.
Six samples of water were analyzed for the Water Department. The condition of the water was found to be excellent, showing a minimum number of bacteria, and no pathogenic bacteria.
Besides a number of samples of well-water were analyzed, and in one case the water in the well was found to be contaminated with putrefying organic matter.
Ice Cream Analysis.
Eighteen samples were inspected having an average of fat content of 9.8%. One sample was below standard. The number of bacteria per c. c. was from one million to eighteen million.
Milk and Cream.
Seven samples of cream were analyzed chemically showing an average of 31% fat.
Samples of milk analyzed, 108.
Percent. fat, all the way from 3.1 to 6.8.
Total solids, from 11.7 to 14.2.
Solids other than fat, between 8 and 9.
Bacteria per c. c. from 8,500 to 500,000, however, the most samples had below 100,000 bacteria per c. c.
Licenses Granted.
Nine new licenses were granted in all: One for oleomargarine, one for cream, seven for milk in stores and restaurants
Milk Dealers.
The dealers are classified by the method formerly adopted. This classi- fication is based on the analyses made during the whole year, and is as fol- lows:
Isaac Alger, I and II
Christopher Bauer, I and II
J. K. Bliss, II and III
William Bowen, II and III Mrs. Cobb, II and III
William Kratsch, I and II
Perle Cole, II and III
Fred Cooper, I and II Charles Fine, II and III
Joseph Globus, III H. B. Guimond, III
E. R. Goodwin, III
Kenneth Hagberg, II
Frank Perry, III and IV J. O. Tingley, II Olof O. Wendell, II and III
While I may safely say that our department is second to none, yet I feel that it is our duty to the public not to stop here and let things become static. There is always room for more improvement, especially in these days when science is making very rapid progress more and more enriching our knowledge. The problem we are dealing with is of tremendous impor- tance and puts great responsibility on us; we must therefore always be on the lookout for what science may offer us, so that we may be steadily improv- ing and progressing.
What I want to suggest now is that we make further improvement in our bacteriological methods of analysis by making a few very valuable ad- ditions.
While the physical and chemical tests of milk are of great significance, they are by far not as important to the public health as the bacteriological
86
ANNUAL REPORT
analysis. No other food is as suitable a medium for the growth of dangerous bacteria as is milk. The most important part of our problem is therefore to detect these disease-producing germs in milk. While adding water to milk and skimming off the cream are legal offenses, yet they do not endanger one's health, while the damage a few invisible typhoid or tubercular germs may produce is immense.
Unfortunately, unless these bacteria are present in large numbers, they cannot always be easily detected. The methods used are very tedious and the results are not always certain. The very best methods which were known to science until recently were very expensive as they required the inoculation of animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Lately a great deal of research work has been done and very adequate cultural methods have been devised for the detection of tuberculosis and streptococci in milk, and some improved methods for the detection of the typhoid bacillus. These methods do not require animal inoculation and work very efficiently with streptococci and tubercle bacilli. The new typhoid methods while not very adequate yet, are quite an improvement over the old methods and are more dependable.
It is for these reasons that I wish to recommend that we improve our system of bacteriological analysis by adding the following valuable analyses:
1. Test for streptococci.
2. Test for bacteria.
3. Test for typhoid.
It is true that this extra work will require a great deal of time and will be an additional burden on us. It is also true that very seldom are we apt to find these deadly germs in milk (I hope we may never have occasion to find them), but our problem is the prevention of diseases and one disease discovered in time and stopped before it may do any considerable damage to the public is worth while and will compensate for all additional work.
S. L. LEIBOFF,
Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
TO HEALTH OFFICER.
Health Department, Attleboro, Mass.
Sir :-
The following report of work performed by the Inspector of Plumbing during the year 1917 is hereby submitted.
Permits granted for plumbing during 1917. 89
Number of new buildings. 9
Number of plumbing in old buildings. 80
Number of water closets installed .. 137
Number of sinks installed. . 100
Number of wash trays installed.
6
Number of lavatories installed.
67
Number of slop sinks installed, 3
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of bath-tubs installed. 72
Number of changes in work by order of Inspector. 15
Number of sewer joints inspected. 65
Number of consultations with plumbers and owners. 22
Number of registered plumbers in Attleboro
27
Number of inspections made in plumbing 115
Number of sewer connections 41
Number of urinals installed 2
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. READ.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTER.
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1917.
Dr. R. P. Kent, Health Officer, Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Slaughter for the current year ending December 1, 1917.
Slaughter house and field inspection show that there were 1070 carcasses dressed and stamped for food. Cattle 256. Hogs 620. Calves 194.
Condemned.
Cattle.
General Tuberculosis.
6
Abscess in abdominal cavity
1
Fistula.
1 Tetanus. 1
Hogs.
Tuberculosis 4
Hog Cholera. 18
Anemia.
1
Pneumonia. 2
Scab (deep seated)
1
Calves.
Abscess in lung.
1
Necrotic liver . 1
These diseased carcasses were disposed of by rendering after they had been saturated with carbolic acid.
Reports were forwarded to the State Board of Health every three months in regard to slaughtering and inspection.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH GAW, D. V. S.,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1917.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals from December 15, 1916, to December 15, 1917.
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, rinderpest, hog cholera, rabies, anthrax or anthroid diseases, sheep scab and actinomycosis.
The annual inspection was called by Dr. L. H. Howard, Commissioner of the Department of Animal Industry in the months of February and March. On inspection of meat stock there were found to be 750 cows, 184 young stock, 48 bulls, 4 oxen, 1100 swine, 8 sheep and 2 goats.
Glanders. Two horses were found to be afflicted with glanders. They were killed and rendered.
Hog Cholera. This was found to exist in two piggeries and quarantine was placed on the same for forty days.
Rabies. Sixteen dogs were quarantined on suspicion of having rabies. One of these dogs did prove to be afflicted with this disease. Three dogs that were known to be in contact with this dog were kept under quarantine for ninety days for observation but as none of these dogs developed rabies they were released.
Tuberculosis. Six cows on physical examination proved to have tuber- culosis. They were killed and buried. In each case the owner received compensation from the Department of Animal Industry.
Tuberculine Test. Forty-two milch cows (Interstate) were shipped into the City of Attleboro during the year and they were subjected to the tuberculine test applied by me acting in capacity as agent of the Department of Animal Industry. One cow reacted and was killed.
One cow was found to exist with symptoms of actinomycosis and this cow was killed. The State law provides no compensation for cows afflicted with this disease.
Wherever a contagious disease was found to exist the owners were com- pelled to clean and disinfect their stables.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH GAW, D. V. G.,
Inspector of Animals.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I would recommend that ice cutting be abolished upon the City water supply.
I would recommend that the City hold two clean-up days a year.
I would recommend that money be appropriated for supplies for the Dental Clinic.
I would recommend that open air schools be established.
RALPH P. KENT,
Health Officer.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
PARK COMMISSIONERS
Attleboro, Mass .. December 21, 1917.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council of the City of Attleboro :-
The Park Commissioners submit herewith their sixteenth annual report for the year 1917:
Capron Park has been in existence sixteen years. It ought to have been a finished park at this date.
Donated.
It was donated in 1901 to the Town of Attleborough by Everett S. Capron, Harford Capron and Mrs. Shepard Carpenter.
Donations.
The City has been fortunate in having some very substantial donations- Casino donated by Marsden J. Perry in 1902.
Wolfenden Fountain donated by Mrs. John Wolfenden in memory of her husband, John Wolfenden, in 1910.
Fred E. Newell Shelter donated by Mrs. Fred E. Newell in 1911.
Wading Pool and Bath House donated by Gertrude Hunton Sweet in mem- ory of her parents in 1917.
Park Commissioners.
1901-Charles M. Robbins, C. P. Keeler, H. A. Clark.
1902-Charles M. Robbins, C. P. Keeler, H. A. Clark.
1903-Charles M. Robbins, Charles E. Bliss, Karl H. Hyde.
1904-Charles M. Robbins, Charles E. Bliss, Karl H. Hyde.
1905-Charles M. Robbins, Charles E. Bliss, Karl H. Hyde.
1906-Charles M. Robbins, Charles E. Bliss, Karl H. Hyde. 1907-S. D. Bushee, Karl H. Hyde.
The vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Bliss at Sea Breeze, Florida, remained unfilled for the balance of the year.
1908-S. D. Bushee, James E. Blake, Karl H. Hyde.
1909-S. D. Bushee, James E. Blake, Karl H. Hyde.
1910-S. D. Bushee, James E. Blake, Karl H. Hyde.
1911-S. D. Bushee, James E. Blake, Karl H. Hyde.
1912-S. D. Bushee, James E. Blake, Karl H. Hyde. 1913-S. D. Bushee, Charles A. Mooers, Carlton Nerney.
1914-S. D. Bushee, John E. Anderson, Carlton Nerney.
1915-S. D. Bushee, John E. Anderson, Charles A. Mooers.
1916-S. D. Bushee, John E. Anderson, Charles A. Mooers. 1917-S. D. Bushee, John E. Anderson, Charles A. Mooers.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
There has been but very little done in the way of permanent improve- ments this year. The most extensive work done in that line was on the playground. It was a greater undertaking than we anticipated owing to the amount of material that had to be handled. There is a great deal of work to be done. We should like to finish and get the seed in the ground as early as possible in the spring of 1918. The improvement will be well worth the cost.
We worked up to December 8th. November 15th we commenced grubbing out stone and stumps on the greater portion of the ground east of Wading Pool. The work was done in a thorough manner. It was seeded and protected with a good mulching of coarse dressing. There was about one-half acre grubbed above the animal house which will be seeded in the Spring.
One thousand dollars does not go very far at Capron Park owing to conditions. There are a lot of improvements that ought to be made and of course the longer they are left unattended to the greater the cost. We have not sufficient funds to make permanent improvements to any great extent. The Park has been run as economically as possible, but it is almost impossible to avoid an overdraw with the money at our disposal.
The improved portion of the Park is in a presentable condition for the Winter.
The Park is becoming more popular; the general upkeep has continued quite praiseworthy and most favorably commented on by the general public and transient visitors.
There were two picnics in 1917 where there was one in 1916. We had three on one day. The majority of picnickers leave things in a deplorable condition. The Commissioners think it would be advisable to issue picnic permits at $1.00 each, which must be obtained in advance. Picnickers are re- quested before leaving the grounds to gather all rubbish left by them, and deposit same in receptacles furnished for this purpose. The $1.00 will be re- turned if parties comply with above requirements.
Vandalism.
The Park Department are having a great deal of trouble with vandalism. It would take too much space to mention all the mischievous acts, but they took rocks and broke off drinking fountains at the Shelter House. Several times during the summer they destroyed the toilet paper-one day they were fully supplied, and the next day it was all over the floor. If left alone it would have lasted one week or more.
Drives.
The drives will have to be redressed the coming summer. They have been quite satisfactory up to 1916. They were built in 1909 and 1910, and if no attention is given them during the coming [year, it will take twice the material, which means twice the expense.
Band Concerts.
The Band Concerts were well attended and greatly appreciated.
In Minneapolis, Minn., good music has been fostered and encouraged, 126 band concerts having been rendered at a cost of $20,935.07.
Bond Issue.
It has been recommended several times by some of our former Park Commissioners that a lump sum to the amount of $20,000 be appropriated issuing bonds. Your Park Commissioners think it would be much better
91
ANNUAL REPORT
and more economical for all concerned to have an especial appropriation for permanent improvements to the amount of $3000 or $4000 each year until the Park is finished. If it felt so disposed the City could furnish the ways and means and not feel it. The fact is we want a Park that will benefit this generation. If the City would adopt the above recommendations we would have in a very short time a park worthy of the same-a park that the citizens would be proud to call our Park. It would be one of the best investments the City ever made, looking at it in a financial way.
Finance.
Nearly all parks are financed by bond issues. Minneapolis $300,000.00 Improvement Bond Issue-$100,000.00 sold in 1909, $100,000.00 sold in 1910 and $100,000.00 in 1911.
Seattle has an Improvement Bond Issue of 1913 for $375,000.00. An- nual maintenance cost, $191,000.00. They think it is a creditable showing compared with the records of other cities.
A beautiful city in which the health and comfort of its citizens are looked after attracts desirable people and tax payers. Cities frequently offer in- ducements to manufacturers in the way of land for factories, but manufac- turers are not content merely with favorably situated and low priced factory sites; they desire beautiful locations for their homes; agreeable and healthy surroundings and recreations facilities for their families and friends; and an environment which will foster the health and happiness and contentment of their operatives.
Wading Pool.
The most popular feature of the playgrounds during the hot days was undoubtedly the wading pool. It was no uncommon occurrence to see one hundred at a time enjoying the refreshing coolness of the water.
Granolithic Walk.
The granolithic walk was laid from the Park entrance as far as the foun- tain.
In the spring the ground in front of the Casino will have to be graded to conform with sidewalk.
Needed Improvements.
Next year the Casino will have to be shingled.
There are places in the Park where there ought to be paved gutters. This would save a lot of needless expense.
The animal house was painted with two coats of paint, the Shelter House gutters were painted inside and out.
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.