USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1928 > Part 6
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3
2
5 3 30
Hodgkin's Disease
0
1
0
0
1 1 23
: 16
2 0 16
84
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED, 1928 DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES, 1928
Trachoma
Anterior Poliomylitis
Measles
German
Meningitis
Cerebro-Spinal
Lethargica
Encephalitis
Tuberculosis
Other Forms
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Diphtheria
Scarlet Fever
Typhoid Fever
Chicken Pox
Cough
Whooping
Measles
Mumps
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Influenza
Pneumonia
Lobar
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases
Deaths
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases ..
Deaths.
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases. .
Deaths
Cases.
Deaths
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases.
Deaths.
Cases. . . . . 0
Deaths. . . 0
Cases. ..
Deaths
Cases. .
Deaths
Cases.
Cases.
Deaths.
Deaths
Cases.
Deaths
. . 0
. . 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0 0 0 1 0 11
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
7
4
0
0
10
0
0
0
1 4
0 0
7
0
2
0
31
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
April. . . . May . . . . ..
0) 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
00
0
0
0
0
4
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0
2 2
0 0
50 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
1 1
1 2
October. .. 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
2 5
1 1
000
00 31 34
0 -
2 1
1 0
3 5
0 0
1
0
7
0
-
0
0 0
0 0
0 4
0 0
2 2 4 3
November. 0
0
0
December. 0 0
0
0
--
) 13 0 23 0 150
0 1 0
Totals ... 0
1 2 01020 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
Pulmonary Tuberculosis deaths, non-residents. Pulmonary Tuberculosis cases, non resident.
18 66
0
0
3 3
February .. 0 March ... 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 15 0
3
0
0
11
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
37
0
0
0
0
1
2 2
0 1 0 0 0 0 2 - 0 0 - 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - - 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 4 3 0 1 0 June . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - July .. 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0
August. . .. 0
-
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3 6
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0 0
0 1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
N
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
0
0
0
0
29
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1 0
4
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
1
0
42
6
0
0
0
0 11
13
0
0
7
5
2 2
0
00
0
1
0 7
1
3
0
0
0
1
September 0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
C
00
0
00
0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0
0
0
0 0 . . 0
0
0
0
0
. . 7
Deaths. . . 0
1 0
Cases. .. . . 1 0
2
2
January . . .
0
ANNUAL REPORT
6 2 19 17
1 3 1 27
8 0 74 24 20 0 ) 117
0
1
0
0 0
2
0 0
85
ANNUAL REPORT
NUISANCES INVESTIGATED AND FOLLOWED UP
Unsanitary Plumbing
1
Unsanitary Premises. 15
Dumping of Rubbish 8
Keeping of Pigs 3
Cesspools, Overflowing
6
Unjustifiable Cause for Complaint.
3
Referred to Police Department.
2
Referred to City Collector
1
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR AND AUTHORIZED AGENT
WILLIAM O. HEWITT, M. D.
Health Officer.
Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my first annual report as Inspector of Milk and Authorized Agent of the Health Department, City of Attleboro, from Jan- uary 1, 1928 to December 31, 1928.
During that period, I have carried on the work with the same high standards as those of my predecessor, Mr. Edwin M. Knights. Through you and the assistance of your department I have been enabled to suc- cessfully solve many public health problems which confront me almost daily.
It being the duty of the Inspector of Milk and Authorized Agent to safeguard the health of the community, I feel that I have fulfilled this obligation. No epidemics occurred this year that were attributed directly to Attleboro's milk or water supply.
I have made an effort during the past year to gain the confidence and co-operation of all producers, dealers and handlers of milk, and I find that I have accomplished much through this co-operation. I have tried to make them feel that our department is willing to do everything necessary to help them. The dealers and producers in Attleboro seem to appreciate this service and show their appreciation through the qual- ity and cleanliness of their product.
It has been my desire to see the health of the people of this city safeguarded by a clean milk product, and this can be accomplished by "Pasteurization." There is much opposition to pasteurization, but the people are more rapidly realizing the value and protection gained. It has been my great pleasure to have two new Pasteurization plants put in operation, one on Read Street and one in Norton, whose supply is sold in Attleboro. There is also another dairy, which by the first of the year will be pasteurizing its milk supply. This is the first year that pasteurized milk has been used at the Health Camp, a raw milk from tuberculin tested cows having been used heretofore. This supply was analyzed by the department, two samples taken weekly; the fat con- tent was high and bacteria very low.
Approximately a mile of sewer extensions were put in this year. Practically all houses have been connected with these extensions and this work has taken considerable of my time.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
1 have investigated many of the nuisances brought to the attention of this department, such as cesspools, garbage, dumps, etc. I have also investigated many public building toilet accommodations. Letters were sent out calling the attention of these matters to the owners, and in all cases my requests were complied with.
At the beginning of this year we thought it advisable to change or add new ordinances pertaining to our milk laws. Many letters were sent to various cities and towns asking them for copies of their rulings, but with all other work it was impossible to make any change.
At the request of the State all fish markets and dealers in fish were investigated and names of all wholesale dealers from whom mar- kets in this city purchased their fish supply were obtained and sent to Dr. Bigelow, the State Health Commissioner.
All restaurants, lunch carts and wayside stands have been inspected by me and my requests and suggestions that I have made were abided by. The list of laboratory examinations made follows:
MILK:
Chemical analysis. 584
Bacteriological analysis. 277
CREAM:
Chemical analysis. 44
Bacteriological analysis 32
ICE CREAM:
Chemical analysis. . 7
Bacteriological analysis. 5
VINEGAR:
Chemical analysis. 6
WATER:
Bacteriological analysis. 6
MILK LICENSES 177
OLEOMARGARINE LICENSES. 22
In closing, I recommend that a full time inspector be considered for this position. The work is covering such an enormous field that it will be almost impossible for a part time inspector to do this work accurately. I would add that our entire milk supply should be pasteurized or Grade "A."
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST W. DOYLE,
Inspector of Milk and Authorized Agent
87
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSE
DR. WILLIAM O. HEWITT,
Health Officer.
Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Hewitt:
I herewith submit my annual report as Health Department Nurse for the year ending December 31, 1928. The annual report gives us an opportunity to look both forward and backward to test our results and to recreate our ideals.
Tuberculosis clinics are held at the Sturdy Hospital every Wednes- day from 4 to 5 P. M. Examinations are made of active, arrested, sus- picious and contact cases. Each case of tuberculosis when reported to this department is visited by me and arrangements are made for the patient to have hospital care. The general condition of each tuberculosis patient in the city is known to me and regular and frequent home visits are made. There has been a decrease in the number of tuberculosis cases reported during the last three years.
Diphtheria prevention clinics were held at the Sturdy Hospital every Saturday at 10 A. M. during the months of October, November and De- cember. During the month of. October, diphtheria prevention clinics were held throughout the schools of the city two days each week, and the children who were immunized last year were Schick tested this year and a large per cent. were found negative.
The Health Camp boys have been under my supervision and house visits have been made. A great deal of time during April, May and June is spent selecting the most underweight and undernourished boys for the camp. A careful check-up is made on 150 or more boys, and forty boys are finally selected. Before the boys go to camp, defective teeth and tonsils are corrected. The Lions Club provides for a year's membership at the Y. M. C. A. where posture exercises, lectures, shower baths and regular gymnasium work is enjoyed by the boys each Saturday morning.
Contagious disease cases have been visited by me on an average of five times a week. Where home conditions do not warrant absolute quarantine a daily visit is made. Patients seriously ill with a contag- ious disease and cannot be cared for at home are sent to Providence City Hospital.
I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the fine inter-departmental co-operation of the Lions Club, School Physician, School Nurse, District Nurses, Family Welfare Association, Public Welfare, Doctors' Club and the Superintendent of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
STATISTICAL REPORT
Number of visits to tuberculosis patients. 878
Number of pulmonary cases reported for year. 8
Number of deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis. 6
Admitted to State Sanatoria. 1
Admitted to County Sanatoria. 12
Contagious disease visits. 742
Home visits to health camp boys 621
Diphtheria prevention home visits 267
Respectfully submitted,
MARY McMAHON, R. N.
Health Department Nurso
88
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Health Officer:
DR. WILLIAM O. HEWITT.
Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Sir:
The following report of work performed by the Inspector of Plumbing during the year 1928 is hereby submitted:
There were 185 permits granted during the year 1928.
Number of permits for plumbing granted. 185
Number of new buildings 123
Number of water closets installed.
250
Number of sinks installed.
198
Number of wash trays installed.
63
Number of lavatories installed. 263
Number of bath tubs installed. 152
Number of slop sinks installed. 12
Number of shower baths installed. 58
Number of urinals installed. : 36
Number of sewer connections installed. 122
Number of work changed by inspector 87
Number of inspections in plumbing. 523
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR B. READ, Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
DR. WILLIAM O. HEWITT,
North Attleboro, Mass.
Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Doctor:
The following is my report as Inspector of Slaughter for the year ending December 15, 1928:
Slaughter House and Field Inspection
Carcases stamped and passed for food. 432
Hogs 328
Calves 56
Cattle. 48
Carcases condemned as unfit for food:
5 Hogs. Swine Plague
4 Hogs Necrotic Liver
3 Hogs . Deep Seated Skin Disease
1 Hog Jaundice
2 Cattle. Abscess in Abdominal Cavity
2 Cattle. General Tuberculosis
1 Cattle Septicemia
3 Calves. Immature and Emaciated
The above inspection work called for 214 visits to various sections of the City of Attleboro.
Respectfully submitted, HUGH GAW, D. V. S. Inspector of Slaughtering
46 Barrows Street,
Health Officer,
89
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Park Commissioners
Attleboro, Mass., January 16, 1929.
MAYOR FRED E. BRIGGS City Hall, Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Mayor:
Enclosed find report of Park Commissioners for the year of 1928. Yours very truly,
Park Commissioner,
S. M. STONE, Chairman
Attleboro, Mass., January 5, 1929.
To the Board of Park Commissioners, Attleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit herewith my fourth annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1928.
During the year 1928 a great deal of new work of permanent nature was accomplished, in fact more than I should have undertaken without a special appropriation.
The Memorial Avenue had to be widened on both sides about sixteen feet, the whole length of the avenue. The trees having made such growth that the fourteen foot strip of lawn looked too narrow for the height of the trees, and this land had to be cleared of old trees, stumps and stones, loamed, fertilized and seeded to a width of thirty feet. Dur- ing the past three years the "Attleboro Round Table" have donated forty Norway Maples, and these had been planted amongst the old oak trees on south side of hill where the New Spanish War Memorial Monument is to be erected in 1929, and in order to give the new trees a living chance, the old trees had to come out, stumps and all, and the whole side hill grubbed, loamed, fertilized and seeded.
A new deer yard was built, giving the animals about two acres more for a run. Buildings were all given a coat of paint. This all runs into money, but is necessary in a public park. Buildings should look clean like the flowers and shrubbery.
This fall we started the stone wall around the pond using about half of the money the late Superintendent of Capron Park, Mr. Solon D. Bushee left in his will for this purpose. This work should be finished around the whole pond in the spring and a permanent five foot fence erected. It is impossible to take care of the ice for skating without a fence around the pond.
The playground season for the children ending Labor Day was the most successful in the history of the Park, under the able leadership of Ray Cooney and Miss Alma Hillman, Supervisors. The wading pool was well patronized, many youngsters taking advantage of its safety as to health and danger, to learn to swim. There wasn't an accident or com- plaint about the pool all season, and this was partly due to the generos-
90
ANNUAL REPORT
ity of Mrs. Harold E. Sweet in the gift of a six feet wire fence around the pool and two hundred and ten lockers for the children's clothes in the bath rooms. Due to this fence the pool can be kept much cleaner, and the children's clothes will remain in the lockers instead of falling from the hooks onto the wet floor as they did before.
The tennis courts were also well patronized, and a great many times four more courts would have been needed to take care of the waiting list. If the interest in tennis continues something ought to be done in the future to get land for more courts.
Band concerts were well attended, and a great many people took advantage of the fine concerts, the best that have ever been rendered in the park, probably due to the keen competition. The concerts in Sep tember were not so well attended on account of the cool evenings.
The Fourth of July Fireworks brought the biggest crowd of people and autos in the park ever. The display of fireworks was appreciated by young and old alike and voted the best ever seen in Capron Paik. Police and autoists deserve a great deal of credit for not a single acci- dent reported in getting all the cars in and out of the Park.
The Park Department as I recommended last year, needs a small dump truck, both for economy and efficiency.
Extra appropriations for grading and beautifying the grounds around the sites of the Civil and Spanish War mounments, and also for the finishing of the wall around pond.
JOHN E. ANDERSON,
Superintendent
To the Park Commissioners:
It has been rightly said that nothing is of any worth in the world unless it can be of some service to humanity, either as an object of beauty or fulfilling some utilitarian need. Then surely Capron Park Playground has met both requirements of worth for it not only is an exceptional Playground, judged from the standpoint of beauty, but it certainly has proved its usefulness to the citizens of Attleboro, whose beneficence nave made it possible.
The attendance during the past summer shows a market improve- ment over that of previous years. the records which are kept both morn- ing and afternoon showing a total of 15,280 children being present during the hours from 9-12 and from 2-5. While no activities are planned for adults and no record of their attendance kept, there has been a notice- able increase in the number of adults coming to the Park as a place of enjoyment for themselves and as spectators to the activities of the children.
The place which was the most popular during the exceptionally hot days of the summer, was of course the Hunton Pool. Through the thoughtful generosity of Mrs. Harold Sweet, extensive improvements were made this year around the pool and in the bath houses. Mr. John Anderson. Park Superintendent, too, deserves credit for his untiring ef- forts in keeping the pool in such splendid condition. Because of the ex- cessive heat, many extra hours over the regular schedule were given to the children in the pool. Open swimming periods for boys and girls were given in the afternoon and during part of the morning swimming classes for beginners were held under the direction of J. Ray Cooney,
91
ANNUAL REPORT
Chairman of the local Red Cross First Aid and Life Saving Committee, assisted by Miss Alma Hillman, Girls Supervisor. One hundred and eighty two children were taught to swim. Children took advantage of these classes, successfully passing the test for swimming held at the end of the s e season. The total attendance in the pool was 7,552.
The chief interest of the boys centered around the baseball leagues. A Junior and a Senior Capron Playground League was formed and games were played on each morning of the week. At the end of the summer the winners were taken to Boston as guests of Mr. Bob Quinn, of the Boston Red Sox, and witnessed the Philadelphia-Boston double- header at Fenway Park. Machines to transport the boys were furnisehd by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Wolfenden. Banners were awarded the win- ning teams in both leagues.
A new feature of the boys program was the formation of leather working classes and many useful articles were completed during the season, including belts, purses, knife and axe sheaths, neckerchief slides and braided lanyards.
Through the courtesy of the Attleboro Public Library, a number of books and magazines were sent to the playground. These were used for circulation and in connection with the Story Hour.
Another very popular innovation was the weekly weinnie roast held in the grove. These proved attractive to the parents also, some making it a family picnic time.
As in previous years the regular tennis tournaments have been held for both boys and girls. The Junior tournament for those up to twelve years, and the Senior from twelve to fifteen years. These are held one during July and another in August, with the winners of each tournament meeting each other in the finals to decide the City Playground Cham- pionship. A paddle tennis tournament was also conducted. This game has proved very popular since its introduction last year.
Another new game which pleased the boys greatly was dart baseball. This usually was the first piece of apparatus asked for at the beginning of the day and the last one brought in the afternoon.
Other activities for both boys and girls included Basketball, Valley Ball, Captain Ball and Tether Ball. Other of the less active games, Folk Dancing for the girls, Indoor Baseball and Quoits for the boys were popular. For the younger children there were the supervised hours in the sandboxes, singing, games and simple dances. The above were conducted under the personal direction of the supervisors besides the free play on the apparatus in the Grove.
Handwork classes included the making of baskets, trays and lamps from reed, weaving with reed and raffia, sewing. embroidery, painting and a new class was introduced this season in leather work.
As in other years a Leaders Corps composed of five boys and five girls was organized to aid the supervisors and again they proved of great assistance during the season. Through the kindness of Dr. Moors and Mr. Frank Carpenter, these leaders enjoyed a delightful trip to Franklin Park this fall. The girls chosen were Ethel Perry, Ruth Swanson, Helen Fisk, Eileen Flanagan and Elsie Lightbown. The boys were Daniel Gil- roy, Ralph Clegg, Clarence Barton, John Qvarnstrom and Norman Shepard.
At the end of August a well attended Field Day was held. The pro- gram included baseball, tennis, sailboat races for the younger children, wennie roast, doll carriage parade, pet show, doll show and swimming meet. Sand modeling contests for the younger children were also held.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
No report of the seasons activities would be complete without a few words of gratitude to the Park Commissioners and Superintendent whose ready co-operation at all times have proved so helpful to the success of the playground program.
Respectfully submitted,
MISS ALMA HILLMAN, Girls Supervisor
J. RAY COONEY, Boys Supervisor
Report of the Police Department
The Honorable Fred E. Briggs Mayor, and Municipal Council:
Gentlemen :
Following is the annual report of the Attleboro Police Department for the term ending December 31, 1928.
ROSTER Chief of Police Terence E. Flanagan
Lieutenant Franklin Mckay
William J. Sargeant
Seargents
William D. Norwood .
Patrolmen
John Bora Edward E. Gobin
Joseph A. Deland
Eugene J. LaCroix
Louis J. Fournier
Charles M. Brogan
Joseph P. McBride
William Doucett
Joseph F. O'Donnell
Ernest W. Holt
John J. Kelly
Horace A. Clifford
Donat E. Pion
Gilbert E. Orr
Charles E. Brown Joseph A. Fredette
Peter Marron
Charles E. Willis
Reserve Officers
William J. Desonier John F. Drew
John J. Bora
James H. Mulkern
93
ANNUAL REPORT
CRIME
It is again a pleasure to report the absence of serious crime in our City for the year just closed. All of the offenses committed have been of the ordinary kind and not of a serious nature. Several petty house breaks were perpetrated, many of which remain unsolved, but the amount of loot taken was small and no person suffered any considerable loss of property, There has been no highway robberies, store holdup's, safe blowing, payroll robberies, nor any crimes of a kindred nature com- mitted during the year.
TRAFFIC
The city has at the present time practically no ordinances for the regulation of traffic, and this condition of affairs has existed all during the past year. This matter should be given serious consideration im- mediately and a set of traffic rules drawn up and adopted. When this is done, the proper signs placed at convenient places so the motorist can see them, and the streets market to conform with the ordinances, the Police Department will exercise every effort within its power to see that the traffic situation is properly taken care of.
Pedestrians should have the privilege of crossing the streets at proper places without being subject to danger of physical injury, but they should also realize the importance of crossing at the deisgnated places or street intersections.
To make the street crossing safer for pedestrians white lines should be painted plainly across the street from curb to curb.
The most serious problem that we have to contend with in the hand- ling of traffic is checking the speed of motorists on Washington street. Since the new street was opened up the majority of motorists passing over it seem to think that they are invited to step on the gas. Several fatal accidents have occurred on this street during the year, and the De- partment has worked speed traps there successfully, with the result that a large number of cases of overspeeding have been brought before the local Court.
LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT
The enforcement of the liquor laws has as in previous years received careful attention. Every complaint received was thoroughly inves- tigated, several anonymous letters about places dispensing liquor were found to be groundless, while others were genuine. However, in each case a watch was put on the place mentioned until either a raid was made, or the department was satisfied that the report was false. Among the several raids made the largest one was at the Dumont place on Peck- ham Street, a large distilling plant was found and dismantled, the liquor and raw products confiscated, and the owner prosecuted before the Fourth District Court.
During the summer months war was declared on automobiles carry- ing liquor through the city to other places, with the result that Attleboro was declared to be an unhealthy city to pass through with contraband. I am entirely satisfied that at the present time, rum running and the sale of liquor in the city, is at a minimum.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
WELFARE WORK
Among other things that the general public has no knowledge of, is the amount of time spent in the correction of juvenile delinquents. Scarcely a week passes that several boys and girls are not invited to Police Headquarters for a lecture on the evils of wrong doing. In all such cases the parents of the children are made acquainted with facts, and in nearly every instance a satisfactory settlement can be reached without Court procedure. In this manner the child is saved from hav- ing a Court record unless he or she is incorrigible, then of course sterner methods must be resorted to. The Department works in con junction with the local agent of the Massachusetts Society for Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children, and the amount of good accomplished is beyond comprehension.
EQUIPMENT
The motor equipment consists of a Cadillac Patrol Wagon, a Stude- baker Sheriff Model Touring Car, three Model A Ford Runabouts and a Harley-Davision motorcycle.
The Patrol Wagon is now ten years old, it is in fairly good condition, however, and will fill the requirements for another year at least.
The Fords used on the Hebronville-Dodgeville and Pleasant routes are giving good service and will not need to be replaced by others this year.
The Ford used in the South Attleboro section has run almost twenty- five thousand miles, I believe it would be sound economy to turn it in for a new one in the Spring.
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