USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1919 > Part 4
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RALPH P. KENT,
December 20, 1919
Health Officer.
52
ANNUAL REPORT
DISEASES DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
Diseases declared by the State Department of Health to be dangerous to the public health, and so reportable by law. Householders and physicians must give immediate notice to the local Board of Health of all cases of :-
Actinomycosis
Measles
Anterior Polimyelitis (Infantile Paralysis)
Mumps
Anthrax
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Asiatic Cholera
Suppurative Conjunctivitis
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis
Pellagra
Chicken Pox
Plague
Diphtheria
Rabies
Dog Bite
Scarlet Fever
Dysentery
Septic Sore Throat
a. Amebic
Smallpox
b. Bacillary
Tetanus
Glanders
Trachoma
German Measles
Trichinosis
Hookworm Disease
Tuberculosis (all forms)
Influenza
Typhoid Fever
Leprosy
Typhus Fever
Lobar Pneumonia
Whooping Cough
Malaria
Yellow Fever.
VITAL STATISTICS
December 1, 1918 to December 1, 1919.
Births
Still Births 7 249
The following contagious diseases were reported to the Health Depart- ment from December 15, 1918 to December 15, 1919.
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
1
Chicken Pox.
23
Dog-bite
4
Diphtheria.
47
Erysipelas.
1
German Measles
1
Influenza. .
708
Lobar Pneumonia
18
Measles.
13
Mumps.
1
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
1
Scarlet Fever
29
Trachoma.
1
Tuberculosis, pulmonary
14
Tuberculosis, other than pulmonary.
1
Whooping Cough.
19
Typhoid Fever
16
The minimum period of quarantine or isolation for:
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, 3 weeks after recovery.
Diphtheria, until two successive negative cultures from nose and throat have been obtained.
Scarlet Fever, at least 30 days. Chicken Pox, two weeks. Mumps there weeks. Whooping Cough, seven weeks.
Anterior Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis), three to six weeks.
Deaths
392 (Incomplete)
53
ANNUAL REPORT
DEATHS BY AGES.
(Still-Births Excluded). December 15, 1918 to December 15, 1919,
Deaths of persons under 1 year.
29
Male 14
Female 15
Deaths of persons 1 to 2 years
7
5
2
Deaths of persons
2 to 3 years
4
2
2
Deaths of persons
3 to 4 years
1
1
0
Deaths of persons 4 to 5 years
6
5
1
Deaths of persons 5 to 10 years
7
6
1
Deaths of persons 10 to 15 years
1
1
0
Deaths of persons 15 to 20 years
5
3
2
Deaths of persons 20 to 30 years
14
5
9
Deaths of persons 30 to 40 years
29
15
14
Deaths of persons 40 to 50 years
19
5
14
Deaths of persons 50 to 60 years
25
14
11
Deaths of persons 60 to 70 years
38
21
17
Deaths of persons 70 to 80 years
46
22
24
Deaths of persons over
25
13
12
256
132
124
DEATHS BY MONTHS.
(Still-Births Excluded).
December 15, 1918 to December 15, 1919.
Male
Female
December 15, 1918 to January 1, 1919.
24
11
13
January .
36
17
19
February.
23
8
15
March
16
7
9
April.
19
5
14
May
29
19
10
Tune
14
8
6
July.
17
5
12
August.
11
7
4
September
12
5
7
October.
19
8
11
November
23
11
12
December.
13
7
6
256
118
138
CAUSES OF DEATH.
(Still-Births Excluded).
December 15, 1918 to December 15, 1919.
Arterio Sclerosis.
4
Accidental deaths.
6
Broncho Pneumonia.
15
Bronchitis ..
5
Cancer .
18
Cerebral Hemorrhage.
29
Diphtheria.
1
54
ANNUAL REPORT
Diarrhoeal Diseases.
8
Diseases of the Heart. .
34
Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord. 10
Diseases of the Kidney
24
Diabetes Mellitus.
2
Influenza .
24
Lobar Pneumonia.
21
Pernicious Anemia.
0
Peritonitis.
1
Tuberculosis, pulmonary.
14
Tuberculosis, other than pulmonary
1
Typhoid Fever.
1
Scarlet Fever
1
Other causes
37
Total.
256
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST
To Dr. Ralph P. Kent, Health Officer:
Dear Sir:
The following is a report of work done by the School Dentist from September, 25, 1919:
Total number of patients treated. 68
Total number of sittings. 105
Total number of deciduous teeth extracted. 119
Total number of permanent teeth extracted.
9
Total number of teeth cleaned. . 42
61
Total number of copper cement fillings
7
Total number of cement fillings.
5
Total number of pulps removed. 2
Total number of roots filled. . 2
Total number of teeth treated .. 6
Total number of stomatitis treatments.
4
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed)
E. M. WEBB,
School Dentist.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING TO HEALTH OFFICER.
Dr. Ralph Kent, Health Officer, Attleboro, Mass .:
Sir: The following report of work performed by the Inspector of Plumb- ing during the year 1919 is hereby submitted:
Number of permits for plumbing granted 121
Number of new buildings. 18
Number of water closets installed. 152
Dec. 18. 1919.
Total number of amalgam fillings
55
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of sinks installed.
59
Number of wash trays installed.
13
Number of lavatories.
92
Number of bath-tubs.
50
Number of slop-sinks.
2
Number of sewer connections
40
Number of shower baths.
2
Number of urinals. 27
Number of changes in work by order of Inspector.
16
Number of consultations with owners and plumbers. 31
Number of registered plumbers in Attleboro. 23
Number of inspections made on plumbing.
127
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed)
ARTHUR B. READ.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1919.
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals from December 15, 1918 to Dec. 15, 1919.
Contageous diseases of animals under provision of Chapter 90, Section 28, shall include Glanders, Farcy, mange, contageous pleuro-pneumonia, tuber- culosis, Texas Fever, foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, hog cholera, rabies, anthrax or anthroid diseases, sheep scab and actinomycosis.
Animals inspected during the year, Cows 811, Young stock 146, Bulls 34, Swine 901, Oxen 4.
Hog Cholera was found to exist in three different piggeries and the same were placed under -quarantine for 40 days.
Four dogs were placed under quarantine on suspicion of having rabies as they had bitten the same number of people. As none of these dogs developed rabies they were released.
Fourteen Inter state horses were given a physical examination as they were found free from glanders the owners were allowed to put same to work.
One horse was quarantined under suspicion of having glanders and the blood test was taken by the Department of Animal Industry. As this was found ne- gative he was released.
Eight cows on physical examination proved to have tuberculosis. They were killed and rendered. In each case the owner received compensation from the Department of Animal Industry.
Wherever a contageous disease was found to exist the owner was compelled to clean and disenfect his stable.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH GAW, D.V.S.
Inspector of Animals.
56
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTER.
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1919.
Dr. Ralph P. Kent, Health Officer,
Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Slaughter for the current year ending December 15, 1919.
Slaughter house and field inspection show that there were 861 carcasses dressed and stamped for food.
Cattle 195. Calves 113. Swine 553.
Condemned: Cattle 7 for General Tuberculosis.
Hogs 5 for General Tuberculosis. 12 for Hog Cholera. 4 for Deep Seated Skin Disesaes. Calves 4 for Anemia. 6 for Immature
These diseased carcasses were disposed of by rendering after they were ast- urated with carbolic acid.
Rejected on Anti mortem inspection 7 calves for being under weight or age. Five cattle due to emaciation. Twelve swine for Hemorrhagic Septicemia.
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 vi- sits regarding this work.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH GAW, D.V.S.
Inspector of Slaughtering.
ANNUAL REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
Attleboro, Mass., December 15, 1919.
To: Dr. Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Health Officer.
Dear Sir :-
I herewith submit you my second annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 15, 1919.
It is interesting to notice the improvements which milk men have made dur- ing the past few years. There have been many noticeable improvements with- in the past year. For instance, two of our leading milk men have installed pasteurising plants,and another is trying to obtain permissson from the State Health Department to produce "certified milk". Advertising is being used by one dairy to inform the people of Attleboro the importance of milk as a food, and the benefits derived from pasteurisation. Many milk men have improved their dairies by adding modern dairy apparatus to their equipment. These improvements are being made because many of our dairy men realize the im- portance of milk from a health standpoint.
57
ANNUAL REPORT
There are new problems constantly arising .- Several of our biggest dealers produce no milk whatsoever. They seek their milk from many small pro- ducers scattered throughout the city, and also, from producers in neighboring towns. Many of these small producers are careless and dirty, and they do not care how dirty their milk is, as long as they can dispose of it. These are the kind of men that need constant inspection.
Within the past few months, certain milk dealers have complained to me a- bout having their milk bottles stolen from the doorsteps of their customers. The bottle problem is one of the milk dealers problems. At present, it is very difficult to remedy this trouble. The only way that I can see that it can be re- medied is by urging each milk dealer to use no milk bottle other than the one stamped with his own name or dairy. By enforcing such a regulation, it would necessitate a "bottle exchange." Such "bottle exchanges" exist in most all' cities of our size. At present, I am trying to remedy this trouble.
During the past summer, I took special pains to see that the milk for deli- very was kept at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or there abouts. By keeping the milk at as low a temperature as possible, it not only keeps the bacteria count low, but it economically benefits the milk man, by insuring the keeping qualities of the milk. Although ice was much higher this past season than seasons pre- vious, it was much cheaper for milkmen to buy ice then to lose milk by souring Much milk was wasted this last summer through high temperature, which waste seems to be overlooked by the producers.
I am in close touch with the dairies, and, especially the unsatisfactory ones, at all times throughout the year. Dairy inspections are far more important than the laboratory work in grading milk. In the dairy, one sees the human element involved. It is by far more important to know the sanitary conditi- ons of the dairy, the health and cleanliness of the milkers, the cleanliness of the milking utensils, and the health and cleanliness of the cows, than it is to know the chemical and bacteriological standard of the milk.
The same laboratory procedure is used this year as that of last year. The following is a brief outline of the routine work which is carried out by our labo- ratory:
(1) Dairy Inspection.
(a) Health and cleanliness of the milkers.
(b) Health and cleanliness of the cows.
(c) Sanitary conditions of the barn and surroundings.
(d) The water supply of the dairy.
(e) Cleanliness of milking utensils.
(2) Physical analysis of the milk.
(a) Temperature of the milk.
(b) Sediment test.
(3) Chemical analysis of the milk.
(a) Specific gravity.
(b) Per centage of butter fat (Babcock test.)
(c) Total solids.
(d) Solids not fat.
(e) Gravimetric analysis of doubtful samples.
(f) Preservatives and coloring matter.
(4) Bacteriological analysis.
(a) Number of bacteria per c. c ..
(b) Bacteria that grow at ordinary room temperature.
(c) Bacteria that grow at bodily heat.
(d) Dextrose fermenting bacteria.
(e) Lactose fermenting bacteria.
(f) Bacteria producing putrifaction.
(g) Presumptive test for typhoid bacillus.
The three qualities upon which milk is usually graded are: (1) the per cent age of butter fat, (2) the bacteria count per cubic centimeter, and (3) the sedi- ment test. The butter fat percentage gives an estimate of the richness of the
58
ANNUAL REPORT
milk. A high bacteria count results from one or more of three things; it shows careless handling of the milk, it shows improper cooling of the milk and not keeping the milk at a low temperature, and it shows the milk to be old. A bacterial milk count is of comparatively little importance as far as showing whether a milk is dangerous, except where there are numer- ous liquifying and gas producing organisms present. The sediment test shows the visible dirt that found its way into the milk through carelessness milking and handling. The sediment test is an important one.
The following will give you a fair idea how Attlboro's milk stands according to the samples analyzed by me.
(1) Richness.
Percentage of milk samples analyzed.
Butter fat per cent.
3%
4.5%-over
29%
4.0%-4.5%
52%.
3.5%-4.0%
16%. 3.3%-3.5%
(2) Dirt.
Per cent. samples.
Sediment test
14%
Very clean
31%
Clean
43%.
Fair.
11%
Dirty.
1
Very Dirty.
(3) Bacteriological.
Per Cent. Samples Analyzed.
Bacteria Per Cent.
8%
500,00 and over
19%
200,000 to 500,000
36%
100,000 to 200,000
20%
50,000 to 100,000
16%.
10,000 to 50,000 1%
Below 10,000
The following are the chemical and bacteriological analyses made:
Chemical
Bacteriological
Milk. 1064
503
Cream. 131
14
Ice Cream. 67
24
Water ..
7
15
Butter.
4
The following are the licenses, etc., issued:
Milk license issued. 108
Milk producer's permits issued.
15
Oleomargarine registrations issued.
28
Miscellaneous.
No. of Inspections.
Dairy inspections.
78
Bakery inspections.
13
Meat markets. 7
59
ANNUAL, REPORT
Moneys.
Milk license.
$ 54.00
Oleomargarine reg.
$ 14.00
Total.
$ 68.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. GUILD.
Milk Inspector.
60
ANNUAL REPORT
PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Mayor, and Municipal Council :-
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their eighteenth annual report ending December 31, 1919:
Park Commissioners
Charles A. Mooers, Chairman, Solon D. Bushee, Treasurer and Superintendent. John E. Anderson, Secretary,
Supervisors of Playgrounds.
Henry H. Reinhardt, Supervisor. Miss Helen Haynes, Assistant Miss Alma Hillman, Assistant.
Donations.
"Memorial Avenue" was donated to Capron Park by the City of Attleboro in honor of those who made the supreme sacrifice during the World War. This Avenue was dedicated October 5, 1919, during the "Welcome Home Celebration" for returned servicemen.
Nothing was purchased for the Animal House in 1919.
Edward Rhind of Bushee Street furnished four varieties of rabbits of fancy stock and also food for them. He also looked after the care of the rabbits. One Golden Pheasant was donated to the Park.
Mr. Arthur A. McRae presented to the Park a young deer about one week old. We failed to raise him.
Chief of Police E. H. Gingras donated two owls which he captured in Maine to Capron Park. We were able to keep them but six weeks. It is the belief of the Commissioners that they died as a result of poisoning.
Permanent Improvements.
One of the most important improvements this year was the expansion of the Ball Field at a cost of $983.31.
Among other improvements are first the extension of the cross walk leading from the tool house to Wading Pool: secondly about one-third of an acre of ground grubed and seeded above the animal house, which was very rough and full of stones and stumps before this was accomplished.
Two lines of pipe have been laid for watering purposes, and considerable work has been done on the driveways. Also a number of plank seats have been built in the grove near the Band-Stand.
There has been an addition built on the tool house and the new part painted two coats and the old part one coat.
61
ANNUAL REPORT
The War Chest.
The "War Chest" over which there has been so much controversy, was fi- nally placed in Capron Park in a conspicuous place near the Shelter House. The hoodlums broke holes in the Chest two or three times and it was necessary to get a carpenter to repair it. The commissioners finally decided to have this fenced in with barbed wire.
Band Concerts.
The appropriation for Band Concerts was divided between LeClair's and Heywood's Bands. Each band donated one concert to the City, making eight concerts all told. They were largely attended and appreciated.
Picnics.
There have been several picnics at the Park, several of them from out of town.
We have had an unusually wet season, the lawns being green all summer. It was necessary to mow the lawns until the first of November. The wet sea- son had the same affect on the flower beds. They had to be hoed very often.
The money granted the Commissioners each year is insufficient to make per- panent improvements worth while. It will be a long time before Capron Park will become a finished Park. If the Commissioners could have had what they called for, quite substantial permanent improvements could have been made. If we could have had one more man we could have used the horse the greater part of the time, whereas he had to stand in the barn the greater part of the time as we had no man to spare to drive him. The Park needs three men dur- ing the summer.
Retention Wall.
There was a retention wall built on the east side of the lake. There was a special appropriation for this work. The drive was widened ten feet and it is a decided improvement in the way of convenience as well as in appearance. The cost of the improvement was $376.05. During 1920 the wall ought to be extended to the corner of Wading Pool.
Wading Pool and Lake.
Wading Pool and Lake are very popular. The pool in summer is largely patronized and greatly appreciated. The lake in winter is also appreciated There have been more than one hundred on the ice at one time, as it is the only place parents feel it safe to send their children. There ought to be some ar- rangement made next summer so it can be flooded. There are times when the ice is very rough and a little water would improve it very much. In time past the Water Department has had to connect on County Street, which is a long distance from the lake.
Tennis Court.
For the past three or four years the school teachers of the City have been re- questing the Commissioners to install a Tennis Court. The request was not renewed in 1919, and we concluded they thought it was of no use. We would have been glad to have accommodated them but it was out of the question as we had no money for the purpose.
Other parks have them. Why not Capron Park?
Capron Park can be made one of the prettiest parks in the State if the City heads were a little more liberal. The Park contains forty acres and it is well adapted for park purposes. It is located in County Street, and is convenient to get to on the electric cars. It is about ten minutes walk from the center of the City.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
In 1916 the Commissioners suggested that one member of the Planning Board and one member of the Municipal Council, take a day off and visit Parks in other Cities and see what is being done and how many men it takes to do the same, and at what cost. The Park Commissioners think that they would be convinced there was no money being thrown away at Capron Park.
City Council.
The City Council can never comprehend to its fullest extent the influence at home and abroad of an unlimited Park appropriation. No money expended can bring greater returns for our local welfare and our civic pride than our Park. We hope the time is not far distant when Attleboro will wake up to the fact that it is a city. Nothing is better proof of the progressiveness of a City than its Park system, and therefore a trip through it is always one of the first things on the program.
The American City
The "American City" says a well arranged Park System caters to the health and amusement of every age and class of citizens.
Parks-Their Cost and Value
It is impossible to calculate in dollars and cents the benefits the people of the city derive in so many different ways from our Park.
At an election in the City of Detroit the voters approved a bond issue of $10,000,000.00 for Parks. In the summer time they employ between eight and nine hundred men and in winter, about four hundred.
In Mississippi in 1917 the average working force in Parks was five hundred and fifty men and fifty teams.
There is a plot of ground at the corner of Park and Emory Streets owned by the City.
The Park Commissioners recommend using this for public park. It is un- sightly in its present condition. There are 533 feet on Park Street.
There can be no question as to the desirability of this improvement and the great economic value to the locality. The Commissioners believe it would be a good investment, looking at it from every point of view. It would certainly" add greatly to the appearance of the eastern side of the City.
Respectfully ยท submitted,
CHARLES A. MOOERS JOHN E. ANDERSON SOLON D. BUSHEE
Park Commissioners.
63
ANNUAL REPORT
PLAYGROUND SEASON 1919.
Report of the Supervisor of Playgrounds to the Board of Park Commissioners. Gentlemen :---
The past season was an extremly hard one for playground work. Weather conditions were such that wet grounds or rain interfered to a very great ex- tent preventing the carrying on of a definitely scheduled type of work. An- other drawback was the large number of boys and girls who went to work during the summer months, this number being much larger than last year.
Capron Park and Bungy Field were again used as centers for the work. Miss Helen Haynes was again in charge of the work for girls at Capron Park and with her experience of last season to help did an even better piece of work. At Bungy Field Miss Alma Hillman was in charge. The work at Bungy Field is very hard because of the location and lack of proper shelter, nevertheless Miss Hillman did very well indeed. Mr. Frank P. Robbins had charge of the work for boys during two weeks in July and the last two weeks in August. Mr. Robbins understands boys and did a very good piece of work.
A Report of the work follows,
The season was opened with the regular Fourth of July Athletic Meet Events for the Juniors were held in the morning with a good sized list of com petitors, both boys and girls taking part. The Senior events were held in the afternoon. A smaller number of contestants with a larger number of specta- tors than for the morning meet were on hand.
As has been the custom, a base ball league was formed, but because of the number of boys working only three teams were entered. A full series of games was played and some keen competition for first place.
Quoits Championship Tournaments were conducted to determine the Champions for both July and August. At the Inter Playground Field Day a series to determine the Champion of the city was held. This held in both boys and girls tournaments, considerable interest being shown not only in the in- dividual playground competition, but also in the inter playground series.
All Round Athletic efficiency contests were held on both grounds and ath- letic pins awarded to the successful qualifies in the different events.
The schedule called for two Inter Playground Field Days, but inclement weather forced a postponement of the first one and cold weather held down the attendance of the second one to but 512 boys and girls. This was a much smaller attendance than we would have had if the weather had been better.
The Wading Pool was again a popular spot and when the weather was on our side was filled to the limit. The lower attendance for the season is due entirely to the number of days when it either rained or was extremly chilly, the popularity of the pool has not diminished one bit.
In following the schedule of last year the boys again used the Swimming Pool at the Y.M.C.A. one afternoon each week. The girls also used the pool one afternoon each week after their swim meeting in the gym for special work in Folk Dancing.
The Reed and Raffia work was again popular the girls and many hours were spent with Miss Hillman in charge at Bungby Field and Miss Haynes at Cap- rom Park doing the teaching.
The seasons work was brought to a close with the Playground Festival on Labor Day. The annual exhibition of Reed work and basketry was held fol- lowed by an Athletic Meet for both Boys and Girls.
Recommendations.
I would recommend that a small sliding chute be built at the deep end of the Wading Pool. This would add a great deal to the popularity of the pool.
That the Athletic Field at Capron Park be extended still farther into the woods in order that least two Tennis Courts might be laid out, as well as pro- viding additional room for a good sized base ball diamond.
That a new base ball back stop be built.
64
ANNUAL REPORT
That the Athletic Field be surveyed and a track laid out and properly mark- ed off.
I would also recommend that because of the location, the playground at Bungy Field be discontinued, I feel that a greater number of children could be reached if work were carried on at the Bliss School playgrounds. With a play- ground in that place the district supplying Richardson and Bliss Schools would be better cared for than at present.
I would recommend that the School Committee be asked to grant us the use of a room to be used for work for the younger children during certain hours in the day, also a basement room for storage of apparatus. To man this play- ground we would need a young lady to have charge of the work for younger children and girls and a young man to have charge of the work for boys. I feel that a High School boy could be secured who would be able to handle the work in a satisfactory manner.
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