USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1927 > Part 4
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We wish at this time to extend our thanks to His Honor, the Mayor, to the Honorable City Council, to the Committee on Fire Department, to the Police Department for their assistance and to the officers and men for the able manner in which they have performed their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Fire Engineers WILLIAM E. SWEENEY, Chairman CHIEF FRED A. CLARK, Clerk ASST. CHIEF LEONARD GOULD.
61
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
To the Board of Fire Engineers:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of Fire Alarm for the year ending December 31, 1927.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm System is in use and is in as good working order as can be expected and it consists of the following: One steam whistle located at Pumping Station, South Attleboro, one Diaphone Horn with compressed air equipment, one Excelsior Punch Register and Take- up Reel at the Central Station, South Main Street. Three Tower Bells and strikers, one at Union Street Station, one at bell tower, Peck Street one at Station No. 4, South Attleboro and one tower bell striker at the Methodist Church, Hebronville. There are four indicatators as follows, one in Central Station, South Main Street, one in Union Street Station and one in South Attleboro Station, also one in Hebronville Station.
There are twenty-four tappers and gongs located as follows: one in the Police Station, one in the office of the Superintendent of Public Works, one in the Water Works Barn and balance in the residences of the members of the Department and in the factories and shops where they are employed.
We have 108 Street Fire Alarm Boxes owned by the city and 4 Private Boxes owned as follows: one by the Interstate Street Railway Co., one by the Watson Company, one by the Bay State Optical Company and one by the A. B. Cummings Company.
The Fire Alarm headquarters is in the Union Street Station and con- tains one twelve circuit Storage Battery Switchboard, one twelve circuit Protector Board, one ten circuit Repeater together with 435 cells of storage battery and one K. W. Motor Generator Set for charging same. also one 6 circuit Storage Battery Switchboard and one 6 cir- cuit Protector Board both of which are in storage, also one Excelsior Register, Take-up Reel and one Excelsior Time and Date Stamp.
There is now in the system about 95 miles of wire. The following improvements have been made during the past year, namely: one Ex- celsior Time and Date Stamp has been added to the equipment of the Fire Alarm Office, two of the obsolete type boxes have been replaced with successive, positive, non-interfering type. Four new boxes have been added to the System and placed in the following positions: one opposite the Sheffield Home on North Main Street, one on Philip Street, one at the corner of Morris Avenue and Robinson Avenue and one on the corner of Morris Avenue and Mendon Road. During the past year ar- rangements have been completed with considerable cost to the Tele- phone Company for Fire Alarm use of their underground ducts on County Street to Capron Park and North Main Street to Simmons' Crossing. The actual work of vacating ducts has been completed and we are now waiting for an appropriation of funds to place all the Fire Alarm wires in cable in the above named underground ducts this year. This will remove the liability of interruption to the service in the afore- said areas by wind and sleet storms, and will also allow the removal of all the present wooden poles on Wall Street.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
I would recommend the following items for your consideration for the coming year: four Fire Alarm Boxes for replacements and additions, also two Excelsior Punch Registers to be installed in the South Attle- boro Fire Station and one in the Union Street Fire Station. It has be- come necessary to have these Registers owing to the use of new signals which are confusing to receive over the present indicators.
Salary of Superintendent of Fire Alarm. $2,190.00
Salary of Assistant Electrician 1,916.25
Maintenance of Fire Alarm
Maintenance of Auto 1,800.00
New Fire Alarm Boxes 500.00
600.00
Underground cable Cost to be given later
I wish to thank the Board of Fire Engineers and members of the Department for their valuable assistance to this branch of the service during the past year of 1927.
Yours for efficient service,
JOSEPH H. NEWCOMB, Supt. Fire Alarm
Report of the City Forester
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1927.
During the winter months the annual scouting for gypsy moths was carried on and their eggs were destroyed with creosote.
I found it necessary to increase spraying operations during the gypsy moth catapillar season but owing to so much rain spraying was not as effective as usual.
Brush was cut, also overhanging branches, along the roadsides in the outskirts of the city.
The usual amount of trimming was done on the shade trees, special attention being given to dead limbs and those shading electric lights.
I found it necessary to remove some trees which were in a dangerous condition.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. S. SMITH, City Forester
ยท
63
ANNUAL REPORT
Health Department
ORGANIZATION OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT, 1927 Health Officer WILLIAM O. HEWITT, M. D.
Inspectors of Milk and Authorized Agents *EDWIN M. KNIGHTS, PH.B., M. S. *JOHN J. McDONALD,
Inspectors of Plumbing ARTHUR B. READ JOSEPH M. SEAGRAVES
Inspector of Slaughtering HUGH GAW, D. V. S.
Inspector of Animals FREDERICK L. BRIGGS, D. V. M.
Health Department Nurse MARY E. McMAHON, R. N.
Registrar of Deaths STEPHEN H. FOLEY
Clerk MILDRED H. SHAW
Associate Physician at Diphtheria Prevention Clinic JAMES H. BREWSTER, M. D.
Associate Physician at Tuberculosis Dispensary F. V. MURPHY, M. D.
*Resigned
64
ANNUAL REPORT
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council:
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Health Department presents herewith for your consideration its thirteenth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1927. The organization of the department is shown in the preceding page. Appended are tables of statistical data, the report of appointees, and a financial report.
ORGANIZATION
There has been but one sub-department in which changes have oc- curred during the year. Edwin M. Knights, Inspector of Milk, and Au- thorized Agent for the last two years, left the department in October to accept a responsible full-time position as a bacteriologist at the Prov- idence City Hospital. Mr. Knights rendered valuable service to the city while he was employed here. His work in the laboratory, as well as his other duties, were carried on with thoroughness and accuracy. His judgment in important matters relating to department affairs was sound, and of much value to the Health Officer. The best wishes of the mem- bers of this department and of many others with whom he came in contact here will follow in his future work.
John J. McDonald of Providence was employed during the last two months of the year as milk inspector.
On December 31st, Ernest W. Doyle of Attleboro, eligible under civil service rules, was appointed inspector of milk.
THE YEAR'S WORK
As the outstanding features of the work accomplished locally in public health during the past year are recorded it may be said at the outset that the community has been in many ways fortunate. The death rate has been comparatively low. The incidence of common com- municable diseases with a few exceptions has shown a substantial de- crease, and the epidemics have been avoided.
The activities of the health department in the last twelve months have been concentrated particularly on certain measures which seemed most in need of attention.
THE LABORATORY-CLEAN MILK
The laboratory service under the direction of Mr. Knights has been unusually efficient for a small city. New equipment has been added, and improved methods of routine has been introduced. It is doubtful, however, if further improvement in the work of the laboratory may be hoped for until it is administered by a full time technician. The policy
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ANNUAL REPORT
of the laboratory has been one of helpfulness to the milk producer and to others in need of such service. Its work so necessary to the safety of our citizens should at once be extended to include a fully equipped bacteriological laboratory under the control of a full time attendant.
THE CLINICS
The tuberculosis clinic held in its new quarters at the hospital has continued its weekly examination and follow-up of suspicious and con- tact cases, and has kept in close touch with cases before admission to and with those discharged from sanatoria. At this clinic also a large num- ber of applicants for the Attleboro Health Camp are examined and those most in need of treatment are finally selected. Several children from this clinic have also been referred to the Bristol County Health Camp and to the fresh air room at the Richardson School. Each active case of tuberculosis is visited by the nurse, as soon as it is discovered or reported, and each case remains under the supervision of the department while living within this jurisdiction. The nurse works in co-operation with the attending physician and the department furnishes such proper care and assistance as may be needed. Practically all the cases of tu- berculosis investigated are sent to the Bristol County Hospital for treat- ment. There has been a noticeable decrease in the cases reported and hospitalized during the last two years.
The diphtheria prevention clinic instituted here in 1923 has con- tinued its increasingly effective efforts in the immunization of children against this preventable disease. A more detailed account of the clinic activities may be found on another page.
THE HEALTH CAMP
The department has with the aid of the Attleboro Tuberculosis Society conducted a summer health camp for undernourished children for five consecutive years. During this period much has been learned about camp management and many changes have taken place in the routine. As a result of the efforts combined with the assistance given by the Lions Club which has made the camp a possibility by providing the buildings and equipment, Attleboro has a model health camp. This camp may now be said to be not only a permanent institution but also one of the most important health activities carried on in the community. In the establishment of the health camp moreover, no extra burden of expense has been loaded upon the city treasury. A rather unique and altogether satisfactory arrangement is in effect as the city through its Health Department, selects the children, manages the camp and as- tends the follow up work while the funds for maintenance are provided by the Community Chest. Since the camp was instituted in 1923 there has been no deviation from the policy originally adopted as to the types of children to be selected for treatment. The Attleboro Health Camp is a camp conducted essentially for the treatment of mal-nourished children. It is not a recreational camp primarily. Certain fundamentals are ob- served in the selection of proper cases for treatment, and in the care they receive. No child is admitted unless 10% or more underweight and all remediable physical defects are corrected.
66
ANNUAL REPORT
The management has always held to the opinion that the best type of child for acceptance in a summer health camp is the merely under- nourished child and not the manifestly tuberculous type or the child already infected. This latter type requires such a much longer period of absolute rest and cannot be furnished by any health camp which functions for a few weeks only during the summer. During the time that the children are at camp the daily rest periods are insisted on as the most important part of the camp regime. An abundance of fresh, clean milk from tuberculin tested cows is furnished which has a high butter fat content and samples of which are examined twice a week in the health department laboratory. The menu of three substantial meals a day includes plenty of fresh fruits, cereals and leafy vegetables. These meals are supplemented by mid-forenoon and midafternoon lunches of milk, and crackers in all cases where it is found that the ap- petite is not spoiled for regular meals. A careful examination is made of each child before admission, and complete records are kept of the physical findings. These records include for each child, besides the usual record form a weight chart, and photographs of the child strinned to the waist taken on admission and at discharge. The records are filed at the health department tuberculosis clinic, and the facts in reference to the progress of each case found in the follow-up work during the winter are added to the other data. The teaching of health habits, and the cor- rection of postural defects have received more attention during the last camp season than ever before. The aggregate gain for 1927 of 3121/4 lbs. for forty boys after six weeks' treatment exceeded our 1926 record by 21 pounds. The average individual gain for each of the forty boys was 7.86 pounds. Each week during the winter these boys met at the Y. M. C. A. where the Lions Club have had them enrolled for special class work in the gymnasium. There the weights of the boys are recorded weekly and compare favorably thus far this year with the record gains shown at discharge from the camp.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION
The most important of the new projects developed during the year. was the change in the method of conducting the annual diphtheria pre- vention campaign. Early in September a conference was held with the Commissioner and with other representatives of the State Department of Public Health. At that conference plans were made to start an in- tensive campaign of diphtheria prevention work early in October. Im- munization against diphtheria was started in this city in 1923. While the work must go on from year to year in any community a sufficient num- ber of children has now been immunized here to give strength to the opinion that the incidence and death rate from this preventable disease may be perceptibly reduced in the next few years. On October 6th the first clinic was held in the schools after a vigorous campaign had been carried on by this department working in conjunction with the State Department of Public Health. A local diphtheria prevention committee helped to arrange the details, assisted in the clerical work in the clinics. and also provided transportation. Groups of parents were addressed by the health officer, and also by Dr. George H. Bigelow, State Com- missioner who gave up a whole day and evening to the work in this city. Envelopes marked "Is Your Child Safe" containing printed cir-
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ANNUAL REPORT
culars on diphtheria prevention were distributed to many families through the schools. Through the medium of newspaper articles, paid advertisements, and posters in store windows more information on the subject was disseminated. Physicians, district nurses, and life insurance companies rendered valuable assistance in the campaign. Four teams, each including a physician, a nurse and a clerk, went to schools in differ- ent parts of the city on appointed days, and immunized all children pre- senting signed request cards. The regular fall clinic of the health de- partment was held as usual on Saturdays at the hospital, and particular attention was given there to the immunization of infants, and pre- school children. Although the scheduled time for this clinic is at 10:00 A. M. there was a crowd of mothers present which filled the capacity of the waiting room long before the clinic opened, requesting immuni- zation for their children. Parents from all sections of the city, and a few from neighboring towns appeared eager to avail themselves of the opportunity offered to have their children made safe from diphtheria.
The attendance at the Saturday clinic, and also at the school clinics was most gratifying to the health department. The total attendance at alll clinics for the three months was 2,039, and the total number of children receiving complete immunization treatments was 1,006. Thanks are due the Diphtheria Prevention Committee composed of interested citizens, and the great assistance and encouragement given the de- partment by the members of this committee is hereby acknowledged. The volunteer services of Dr. J. H. Brewster, and of Miss Helen Bullock at the hospital clinic is also gratefully acknowledged.
The following tabulation shows correctly in figures the results ob- tained in this important work:
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC RECORD, 1927
October 6 to December 31
Total number treated at clinics
2,119
Re-schick tests
276
New schick tests
11
New Toxin anti-toxin ..
1,024
Negative re-schick tests
229
Positive after re-schick tests
39
New cases under 6 years receiving Toxin anti-toxin.
307
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
There were 327 cases of communicable diseases reported in 1927 against a total of 784 cases reported in 1926. This lowered incidence was due in part to the comparatively small number of chicken pox, measles, German measles and whooping cough cases that occurred. There were 59 cases of chicken pox, against 62 for last year. Eight cases of measles against 285 for the year before. One only had German measles while there were 60 cases last year, and whooping cough cases numbered three against 181 reported in 1926. Pulmonary tuberculosis records show 80 cases reported with 35 deaths. Of those resident in Attleboro there were 13 cases with 6 deaths. There was considerable alarm ap- parent in the early fall because of the prevalence of infantile paralysis
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ANNUAL REPORT
all over the state. Three cases were reported to this department with one death. There was a slight increase in the number of scarlet fever and diphtheria cases during 1926. The scarlet fever cases numbered 85 against 67 of last year. The cases were fortunately all mild in character and there were no fatalities. Diphtheria, now on the increase all over the country numbered 23 cases against 9 cases last year. There were 2 deaths. In April, 6 cases were reported most of which were due to a rather serious situation which developed at the Sturdy Hospital. It was nec- essary to close the hospital for several days at that time to prevent the spread of this disease among its patients. Another flurry occurred in October when 9 cases were reported. No case of diphtheria has yet occurred among the children immunized by this department.
NO TYPHOLD FEVER
It is a source of gratification to be able to record the fact that not a single case of typhoid fever has occurred in Attleboro for two years. This freedom from typhoid in the city for such a period is without precedent so far back as authentic data can be secured.
DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO Rates per 100,000 population
1917
48
252
3
16
1918
13
67
1
5
1919
59
302
1
5
1920
41
206
2
10
1921
37
184
2
9
1922
11
54
1923
13
63
1924
6
28
1
4
1925
8
37
1926
9
43
1927
23
109
2
9
CASES OF DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO By Age Groups
0-4 yrs.
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-29
30-39
40 plus Unb'n Total
1919
6
30
10
3
2
1
3
4
59
1920
13
13
5
1
2
1
2
4
41
1921
4
16
9
1922
4
2
2
1
1
1923
5
3
2
1
1
1
1924
2
1
1
1
1
6
1925
3
2
1
1
1
8
1626
4
4
1927
5
8
1
4
1
3
1
23
Totals.
46
79
30
11
9
6
9
17 207
. . .
.. .
.. .
.. .
. .
.
.
Cases
Case Rate
Deaths
Death Rate
7
37
1
1
11
13
1
9
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ANNUAL REPORT
Dr. William O. Hewitt, Health Department Attleboro, Massachusetts
The following is the report of the Attleboro Health Camp for the year 1927:
The past season has, in many respects, been the most successful in the history of the camp. The six weeks were marked by an absence of sickness, the gains in weight exceeded all previous years' records; and the general improvement in the boys was satisfactory. It is indeed encouraging that we are able to report progress each year in the work of the camp.
Camp opened July 5th, with forty boys in attendance, ranging in age from eight to fourteen years, the average age being 10.5 years. The weights ranged from a trifle less than 10 percent to 21 percent under- weight.
In spite of the rainy weather the boys developed good coats of tan, and during their six weeks' stay in camp improved in every way; grew more alert, less nervous and more interested. Their appetites improved and many learned to eat and like a variety of foods, some new to them. The boys also learned many health lessons and practices which it is hoped will carry into their homes and community a strong and telling influence for good health.
One of the most tangible measurements of the success of a health camp is the gain in weight. The boys were weighed each Tuesday. A report of the weekly gains in weight is as follows:
Ist week
993/4 lbs.
2nd week. 471/2 lbs.
3rd week. 47 1bs. 4th week. 481/2 lbs. 5th week. 3134 lbs 6th week. 373/4 lbs.
The aggregate gain for the six weeks was 31214 pounds, net gain 306 pounds. The minimum gain was 414 pounds, the maximum, which was attained by two boys, 131/2 pounds, and the average gain for the six weeks was 7.70 pounds. These gains, I feel will compare favorably with those of any health camp in the country.
The staff this year included Miss Edna Calkins, a graduate of Posse- Nissen, Miss Winnifred MacDonald, a student of the Bouve School of Physical Education, and Mr. Stanwood Coleman, a student of the Scott Crabtree School of Art, who served in the capacity of health counsel- or. Mrs. Florence Richardson, the cook and her assistant, Miss Eva
Anderson were residents of Attleboro. The success of the camp is due in no small measure to the type of service rendered by these helpers.
Intensive posture work was a feature of the camp's program. Each day the boys were lined up in regular classes for corrective exercises, and every effort was made to create in the boys' mind the consciousness of "good posture." Classes in health and the various handcrafts were conducted as a part of the daily program. The boys were enthusiastic about the class periods, and many showed real skill and ability in the use of their hands.
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ANNUAL REPORT
A program of games and demonstrations and an exhibition of the boys' work were features of the last night's entertainment, which was well attended by parents and other interested persons. The awarding of prizes to the boys making the greatest gains, to the best all around boys and to the winners of the various tournaments concluded the even- ing's program.
At your suggestion, the Lions Club added to the supervisor's house, making it adequate to accommodate the supervisor, the girl counselors, the cook and assistant. In addition to the building, the Lions furnished certain camp equipment and accessories which added greatly to the comfort of the attendants. The enlarged and attractive quarters were appreciated by all.
Thanks are again due to the Tuberculosis Society and the Lions Club for their untiring interest and support; to Mr. Holt for his kindness to the boys; to Mr. Anderson of Capron Park who added a bit of cheer to the camp by his donation of plants; and to all others who assisted in many and various ways.
In closing, may I take this opportunity to thank you for the loyal support which you have given me at all times.
I wish to make the following recommendations:
Grounds: A grass plot in the space between the houses would im- prove the appearance of the camp and would take care of the dust and dirt which is bothersome.
Dormitories: The floors should be oilied and treated in some way. Beds should be painted and springs repaired.
Mattresses: Cleansed and some renewed as two had to be de- stroyed last year.
Supplies: Should be ordered before the opening of camp.
Canned Goods, No. 10, from Midwood's:
Cherries
Peaches
Pears
Apple Sauce
Plums
Pineapple
Tomatoes
Crackers from National Buscuit Company :
3 boxes Graham
1 box White
1 box Sweet and Fancy
Dishes: To replace any breakage in last year's supply
Linen: To replace linen which is wearing out
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL M. BROWN, R. N. Camp Supervisor
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ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP Weekly and Total Weight Record, 1927
Names
First week
Second week pounds
Third week pounds
Fourth week pounds
Fifth week pounds
Sixth week pounds
Total pounds-
L. A.
112
1/2
1
0
1
3/4
434
L. B.
1
2
11/2
2
1/2
1/2
712
L. B.
11/2
11/2 lost 1
3
1/2
3/4
61/4
J. B ..
43/4
1/2
3/4 lost
1/2
21/4
1/4
7
J. B.
43/4
11/4
11/4
3/4
3/4
1/2
3/4
5 14
L. C ..
21/2
1
3/4
13/4
11/2
1/4
734
N. C.
21/2
114
134
11/2
11/2
11/2
10
G. C.
21/4
1/2
0
21/4
lost 1
11/4
51/1
A. C ..
11/4
1/4
112
21/4
1/4
0
.6
R. C ..
1
1/4
13/4
3/4 lost
1/2
1
41/4
W. D ..
4
lost
1/2
134
0
3/4
1/2
6 1/2
H. D.
23/4
1/4
1
13/4
0
1 34
71/2
E. D.
13/4
2
3/4
0
1
3/4
5 3/4
C. F.
1
13/4
21/4
0
1
2
8
W.
11/2
3/4
11/4
1
lost
1/4
1
514
W. F.
2
3/4
3/4
114 lost
3/4
11/2
514
J. G ..
2 3/4
11/4
134
1
1/2
13/4
8
R. G ..
1 3/4
11/4
1/2
3/4
3/4
1/2
514
T. H.
21/2
1
11/4
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