USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1929 > Part 4
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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
At the beginning of the year severe colds probably of an influenzal type were prevalent, and this condition lasted well into February. Influenza, in a com- munity of our size, goes through the whole population in about six weeks. It is non-selective in that it effects all classes, and no efforts at sanitation seem to make much difference to the extent of its occurence.
The total number of communicable diseases reported during 1929 was 770. The total in 1928 was 464, 1927-327, and 1926-784. Measles showed an unusual prevalance as 361 cases were reported during the year; the largest number of cases occured in April and May. Scarlet fever had a slightly increased incidence over the previous years, 147 cases comparing with 117 cases in 1928. Scarlet fever reached its peak in January, as the tail end of the 1928 incidence, and only a few scattering cases were noted after the end of April. As in previous years, most of the cases were of a relatively mild type. One death occured from this disease. Lobar pneumonia, whooping cough, and chicken pox showed a slight increase over the previous year. Only five cases of mumps were reported for the whole year, compared with 150 cases in 1928. No cases of cerebro spinal meningitis or in- fantile paralysis were reported. Diphtheria is still with us in spite of seven years of preventive work. The department regrets to record twenty cases of this preventable disease. There was one death during the year. None of these cases had ever received preventive inoculation.
TYPHOID FEVER
Typhoid Fever-Nine cases were reported-of these, eight were non-residents admitted to the Sturdy Hospital from a neighboring town. The excreta from all these cases showed no typhoid bacilli before the patients were discharged. The possibility of a typhoid carrier working in one of the local factories at the beginning of the year was carefully investigated. The examination of excreta from sixty-one employees resulted in negative findings. No cases traceable to this factory occured during the year.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION
The annual campaign of diphtheria prevention was carried on as usual during the last three months of the year. Intensive work in immunization was started here in 1923, and now occupies an important place in the department's program. After seven years of routine, it is now apparent that in order to reduce our death rate from diphtheria, efforts must be concentrated on pre-school children. Child- ren from six months old to school age form the most susceptible group. Fifty percent of deaths from the disease occur at this younger age period. Immuniza- tion, moreover, is a much simpler process in young children. Reactions from toxin antitoxin administration at this age are less frequent, and less severe, and a larger percentage is more certain to secure protection from the three treatments. These and other essential facts concerning prevention have not as yet been grasped by many parents. Our present problem in the eradication of diphtheria will be solved if we can reach the parents of these younger children.
A noticeable expansion in the work of the clinic during the past year has been undoubtedly due in part to the adoption of new measures of desseminating know- ledge of diphtheria prevention among families. Two nurses were employed on a part-time basis to visit the houses and "sell" diphtheria prevention. Many ques- tions were asked which the nurses were glad to answer and a larger number of request cards were signed each week. It is planned to carry on this work of visitation by a few streets each year so that the whole city will ultimately be covered. This effective method takes care of the educational propoganda so much needed in preventive work, and also serves as a general survey of the situa- tion. The results obtained in this survey furnish the department with information which may be used as a guide in future work in health education.
54
ANNUAL REPORT
The school department has rendered valuable assistance in immunizing many of the first grade pupils. The district nurses have also cooperated with the depart- ment nurse in promoting our efforts. The work accomplished during the year is tabulated below:
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC RECORD, 1929
Total number treated at clinics.
1,402
New schick tests
31
Reschick tests
198
New toxin antitoxin (3 doses)
344
Negative reschick tests.
153
Positive after reschick tests.
20
New cases under 6 years receiving toxin antitoxin
273
DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO Rates per 100,000 population
Year
Cases
Case rate
Deaths
1920
41
207
1
1921
37
184
2
1922
11
53
0
1923
13
62
0
1924.
6
28
1
1925
8
37
0
1926
9
41
0
1927
23
103
2
1928.
20
88
0
1929.
20
87
1
CASES OF DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO
By Age Groups
Year
0-4
5-9
10-14 15-19 20-29 30-39 40plus Unk'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
0
0
0
1
7
37
1922
4
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
11
1923.
5
3
2
1
1
1
0
0)
13
1924
2
1
1
1
0
1
0
6
1925.
3
2
0
1
0
0
1
1
8
1926
4
4
0
0
1
0
0
0
9
1927
5
8
1
1
1
3
1
0
23
1928.
4
6
4
0
4
1
1
0
20
1929.
4
10
2
2
1
0
1
0
20
Total
54
95
36
13
14
7
11
17
247
TUBERCULOSIS
The prevailing low incidence and death rate from this disease have been maintained during the year. The reduction is in the pulmonary type commonly called consumption. Tuberculosis other than pulmonary such as bone, glandular and abdominal which are usually attributed to milk infection show an upward trend.
It is believed that much of the decrease in mortality from pulmonary tuber- culosis locally may be due to the practice over a period of several years of prompt
55
ANNUAL REPORT
investigation and hospitalization of reported cases. The listing and periodic examination of contacts as well as the preventive work of two local health camps, and an open-air school room are factors which may well have contributed to the lowered incidence of this disease in our midst.
During 1929, eighty cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported to the department with thirty-five deaths. Excluding non-resident cases admitted to the Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital, we had reported in the city nine cases with five deaths. There were eight local cases with six deaths in 1928. For five years prior to 1928 the deaths of local residents from tuberculosis averaged sixteen annually.
SMALL POX AND VACCINATION
In the latter part of April upon the discovery of several cases of small pox in Middleboro, the citizens were advised through the press in reference to the im- portance of vaccination and re-vaccination. Free vaccination clinics were held at the department clinic rooms at the Sturdy Hospital on April 30th, and on May 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th. Approximately 150 persons were inoculated at these clinics, and many others were vaccinated by private physicians. No cases of the disease were reported here.
DOG BITES AND RABIES PREVENTION
Cases of dog bite are now reportable to local health departments. An un- usual number of such cases were reported during the year. These were investi- gated by the Inspector of Animals. Several of these dogs were found by the inspector to be suffering from rabies. Immediate preventive treatment was carried out on all persons found to have been bitten by rabid dogs. The de- partment has provided the Pasteur treatment for eleven persons.
SEWER EXTENSIONS
After a conference with the Superintendent of Public Works it would seem that the following program would provide for the extension of the municipal sewer during the coming year:
With the A. B. C tracks being pulled up on Park Street in the coming year after the Legislature grants authority, arrangements should be made to extend the sanitary sewer before a new road surface is put in.
On Thacher Street between County Square and Prairie Avenue, a rocky section of the City in which the Tiffany School is located, a sanitary sewer should be constructed even though the work will be difficult and expensive as such a permanent underground improvement should be placed to accommodate existing conditions before cross town road improvements start. The outlet for this is planned to go across private land on platted streets to intersect the trunk sewer on the river contour in a northeasterly direction from where it leaves Thacher Street.
Lonacut should have a study made and arrangements to handle the sewer problem at this location should be studied, approved, authorized, and constructed.
The Fuller & Barrowman development, having a sewer on North Main and West Streets, two accepted highways, should if the City is to accept the streets on the Barrowman Plat have sanitary sewers placed in them before any surfacing starts.
The idea outlined above is in keeping with a normal progressive idea for public improvement in the City.
56
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP (Established 1923)
The health camp, maintained jointly by the Community Chest, the Lions Club and the Attleboro Tuberculosis Society, is directed by this department. Forty boys were selected for six weeks treatment, the work of selection starting in February. As this is a camp primarily for under-nourished boys, preference is not given to tuberculosis contacts. The city is fortunate in having a county camp here with adequate provision for that type of case. In the work of choosing candidates, examination was made of boys taken from a list of underweights furnished by the School Department. Before the final selection was complete, many children were examined, home conditions were reported by the nurse, and no child was accepted unless he was free to gain, by having all remediable effects corrected. Attention to teeth and tonsils of the successful candidates required considerable time and energy on the part of the physicians and dentists who gave freely of both. Much of the nurse's time was expended in attending to details of preparation.
Camp opened on July 5th and surpassed all other seasons in its record of weight gains. The total gain for the six weeks was in aggregate 3614 pounds or better than nine pounds per boy-two of the children gained over fifteen pounds each. Criticism has often been made of the undue importance that may be given to weight gains of children in a health camp. The mere putting on of weight. of course should not be looked upon as the camp's main objective; other and more lasting results in the development of these children are to be expected. In checking up the results of treatment, however, the importance of weight im- provement is obvious, and is a fair measure of management efficiency. The aggregate gain for forty boys at the health camp for five years has been 1492} pounds. The average individual gain for five years has been approximately seven and one-half pounds.
REPORT OF CAMP SUPERVISOR
DR. WILLIAM O. HEWITT
Director, Attleboro Health Camp Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as supervisor of the Attleboro Health Camp for the season of 1929:
Preparations for the Health Camp, which started with the selection of candidates early in the year, culminated July 5th when forty boys were admitted to camp for the usual period of six weeks. The boys, who represented thirty- eight different families, ranged in weight from 5-25 percent below normal for age and height. The medians for the group of admission were as follows: age 9 years; height 512 inches; weight 532 pounds; underweight 13.9 percent. These figures show this year's campers to have been one year younger; one inch shorter; and 12 pounds lighter than last year's group.
The regular camp routine was carried out unchanged with the exception that visiting hours were limited to Wednesdays and Sundays. This arrangement was much more satisfactory as it permitted a more organized recreational program to be put into effect. For the best interests of the camp a further reduction of the visiting hours is urged.
With the exception of the supervisor, the staff this year represented a com- plete change of camp workers. The new staff consisted of: Mr. Morton Kelley of Beverly, a graduate of Salem Normal School, who served in the capacity of head counselor and instructor in woodcarving and camp-craft. Miss Esther Lipton of Malden, also a graduate of Salem Normal, who instructed in dramatics and brass work; and Miss Frances Greeley of Nashua, N. H., a graduate of Posse-Nissen, who in addition to having charge of the corrective posture work taught basketry and toy making. There was a distinct advantage in having all
57
ANNUAL REPORT
three counselors with teacher training as evidenced by the increased efficiency in the execution of the camp programn. Mrs. Myra Ireland of Attleboro ably filled the position of cook and replaced Mrs. Florence Richardson, who had served so faithfully and efficiently in that capacity for the past four summers. Mrs. Evelyn Carrier of Attleboro acted as Mrs. Ireland's assistant. The success of the camp was due in a large part to these forementioned workers, each of whom gave generously of his time and effort in order that the camp might function on its highest level.
The gains this year were consistent with those of other health camps within the State in that they were unusually good. Both the individual and aggregate gains showed an appreciable increase over those of previous years. The total gain for the season was 3614 pounds, net gain 354} pounds. The highest in- dividual gain was 164 pounds; the lowest gain 5} pounds; and the average gain 9 pounds. In this connection it is interesting to note the record of gains for the past five years as shown below.
Corrective posture work, which was incorporated into the camp program in 1926, was again an important part of the daily routine. The boys were classified into A, P, C, and D posture and were given exercises according to their particular needs. As improvement was noted advancement was made toward the A group.
The camp is indebted to Miss Sybil Foster of the Massachusetts Society for Mental Hygiene for her helpful suggestions and advice in dealing with cases that presented specific behavior problems.
Your absence from Attleboro throughout the entire camp season was keenly felt. The camp, however, was closely supervised by Dr. James Brewster, who not only visited the camp daily but was on call at all times. The excellent service that he rendered was appreciated by the campers, the parents and the staff.
In closing, may I take the opportunity to thank the Lions Club and the Tuberculosis Committee for their generous support. Special mention should be made of Judge Briggs, president of the Lions Club and Mr. Hicks, chariman of the Camp Committee, who by their enthusiasm and untiring efforts were a source of inspiration to the workers.
Respectfully submitted, MABEL M. BROWN, R. N. Camp Supervisor
A RECORD OF WEIGHT GAINS FOR FIVE YEARS ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP
1929
1926
1927
1928
1929 1334 lbs.
1st. week
85
lbs. 812 lbs. 992 lbs. 994 lbs.
2nd. week
33.
47
47
62
54
3rd week
40
392
47
363
591
4th week
511
4
471
483
43;
26 4
5th week
24
331
31
493
6th week.
331
42
37
281
43
/ حتهم يت | حهـ
TOTAI
268} lbs. 291} lbs. 3124 lbs. 3192 lbs. 3614 lbs.
58
ANNUAL REPORT
ON ADMISSION Typical Undernourished and Underweight Boy
59
ANNUAL REPORT
AT DISCHARGE The Same Boy After Six Weeks Treatment at the Attleboro Health Camp. Total Gain 1614 Pounds.
60
ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION
In concluding this report the department desires to acknowledge the assist- ance given its efforts during the year by the press, by the School and other munici- pal departments, and by the various private health agencies. It has been the long-standing policy of the department to cooperate with both official and non- official agencies for the advancement of the public health.
The Doctors' Club has continued the custom of devoting one of its meetings each year to a consideration of the subject of health. The attitude of this organization toward local health problems has, we believe, a far reaching influence in the community. Several citizens have shown an unusual interest in public health and their counsel and advice has been of material help on more than one occasion in smoothing over some of the rough places. Our warm apprec ation is expressed to those individuals who gave actual time and in some instances hours of work to the department without thought of gain.
It is necessary at this time to call the attention of the citizens to several public health measures, some of which should be put in operation at once and two larger projects, plans concerning which should have consideration in the near future. Certain standards are essential in any city such as ours which aspires to become a more livable community. It must be a certainty then that proper provision is being made not only for social and educational facilities, for fire and police protection, but also for health. As health protection is not the least im- portant it would seem that needed public health measures should have the active support, and the earnest approval of all thinking people. One necessity already mentioned for safeguarding health is the institution of a more rigid inspection of our milk and food supplies. Under the present system it becomes increasingly difficult to control or even to estimate the amount of communicable disease that may be spread through the careless and unclean handling of food.
Some system of dental inspection and prophylaxis is badly needed in the schools. There are undoubtedly numerous cases of abnormal systemic conditions among school children entirely preventable and due to lack of dental care. There should not be continued neglect of this important work.
South Attleboro growing rapidly will soon require more adequate public health protection. Much of the soil in the thickly settled portions affords poor drainage conditions. A sewerage system must soon be planned for that portion of the city.
Mention has been made in former reports of the need of a local contagious disease hospital. For some years the department has had facilities for the treat- ment of practically all its cases of tuberculosis and typhoid fever in hospitals. The incidence and mortality of these diseases under such circumstances has shown a marked decline; the cost of care has been greatly reduced. Provision for hospitalization of diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles and other communicable diseases is now needed, and would result in proper control and lessened mortality from these diseases. Conditions seem ideal for the establishment of such an institution on the grounds of the Sturdy Hospital.
The program of health protection and disease prevention must be carefully administered if we are to prevent losses from unnecessary sickness and death.
Let us bear in mind that :- "The most important single factor conducive to the prosperity and happiness of any community is the health of its people."
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM O. HEWITT Health Officer.
61
ANNUAL REPORT
EXPENDITURES, 1929 Salaries
Health Officer
$ 1,000.00
Inspector of Milk
750.00
Inspector of Slaughtering.
600.00
Inspector of Animals.
300.00
Tuberculosis Nurse
1,500.00
Care of Dump-Labor
741.53
Garbage Disposal
1,600.00
Clerk
521.67
$7,013.20
State Sanatoria
Westfield
$ 145.00
Bristol County .
3,762.20
Lakeville
365.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
155.15
Sturdy Hospital.
26.60
Miscellaneous
11.98
4,465.93
Quarantine and Contagious Disease Hospitals
Providence City Hospital.
$ 206.90
Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Eye & Ear Infirmary .
16.75
Rabies Treatments
275.00
Rabies Vaccine.
215.44
714.09
Nursing and Care At Home
Supplies Tuberculosis Patients
60.20
Aid to Scarlet Fever Patients.
188.00
Aid to Diphtheria Patients
140.00
388.20
General Expenses
Rent
150.00
Light
2.03
Phone
17.95
Laboratory Maintenance.
47.42
Dump Material.
69.68
Automobile Maintenance.
298.91
Tuberculosis and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics:
Supplies
116.75
Express
5.81
Advertising
14.25
Printing
74.70
House to House canvass.
65.00
Fees to Other Cities and Towns:
Providence City Hospital-Diphtheria.
10.08
Mansfield-Rabit dog bite.
56.00
Fall River-Whooping cough.
132.14
62
ANNUAL REPORT
Inspection of Plumbing: Arthur R. Read. . 150.00
J. M. Seagraves.
50.00
EXPENDITURES, 1929 General Expense
Office Supplies
$ 230.88
Incidentals
99.69
Expenses in Mass. for securing information to improve department
3.80
Physician's Fees
74.75
TOTAL
$ 1,669.84 $14,251.26
ESTIMATED APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1930
Salary of Health Officer
$1,000.00
Salary of Inspector of Milk.
2,000.00
Salary of Inspector of Slaughtering
600.00
Salary of Inspector of Animals.
300.00
Salary of Tuberculosis Nurse
1,800.00
Care of Dump-Labor
730.34
Garbage Disposal.
1,600.00
Clerk
521.67
Quarantine and Contagious Disease Hospital.
500.00
Nursing and Care At Home
375.00
State Sanatoria
5,000.00
Rent
150.00
Light
5.00
Phone
20.00
Laboratory Maintenance
100.00
Care of Dump-Material
70.00
Auto Maintenance
300.00
Tuberculosis and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics
400.00
Physician's Fees
75.00
Fees to Other Cities and Towns
200.00
Inspection of Plumbing
250.00
Office Supplies.
250.00
Necessary expenses within Mass. for securing information to improve department.
50.00
Incidentals
100.00
$16,397.01
WILLIAM O. HEWITT Health Officer.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECEIPTS, 1929
State subsidy on patients at Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital on cases settled in Attleboro $1,136.43
State reimbursement on State cases, cases not settled in Attleboro, nor any city or town in Massachusetts, and cared for at the Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital. 2.60
Reimbursement from Plainville, Mass., for case cared for at Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital, and having settlement in Plain- ville 261.30
Reimbursement from North Attleboro, Mass., for case cared for at home and having settlement in North Attleboro 12.00
TOTAL
$1,412.33
63
ANNUAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS
1 .- The appointment of a full time milk and sanitary inspector.
2 .- Appropriation for a properly supervised dental clinic.
3 .- Isolation facilities for contagious diseases.
WILLIAM O. HEWITT
Health Officer
DEATHS BY MONTHS, 1929
Deaths 41
Stillborn
January
2
February
38
2
March.
23
2
April
25
0
May
21
2
Jun ›
20
2
July
25
2
August
22
0
September
16
1
October
23
1
November
19
1
December
27
0
Total
300
15
DEATH RATES FOR TEN YEARS
Year
Population
No. of Deaths Death Rate
1920
19,731
258
13.0
1921
*20,082
205
10.2
1922.
*20,433
209
10.2
1923
*20,784
263
12.6
1924
*21,135
254
12.0
1925
*21,486
261
12.1
1926.
*21,837
257
11.7
1927
*22,188
267
12.0
1928
*22,539
269
11.9
1929.
*22,890
300
13.1
*Estimated
The city's death rate for 1929 based on the estimated population of 22,890 was 13. 1 per one thousand inhabitants.
The infant mortality rate based on 432 live births during the year was 57.S.
64
DEATHS BY AGES, 1929
Deaths
Number of .
Female
Male
Under 1 Year ..
1-2 Years
2-3 Years.
3-4 Years.
4-5 Years.
5-10 Years
10-15 Years.
15-20 Years.
20-30 Years.
30-40 Years.
40-50 Years.
50-60
60-70 Years ...
70-80 Years.
Over SO Years. .
11
16
25
4
1
0
1
0
1
0
2
3
4
5
3
7
6
4
January .
38
00
20
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
6
1
5
4
1
9
8
February
23
10
13
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
3
6
5
4
March.
25
10
15
3
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
3
2
0
3
4
6
1
April.
21
=
10
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
3
2
2
2
5
0
May.
20
=
9
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
1
2
1
3
6
2
June.
25
00
17
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
1
6
1
5
2
July.
22
9
13
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
4
4
3
1
3
August
16
00
00
3
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
6
1
1
September.
23
13
10
2
0
0
0
0
1
-
0
3
1
2
4
2
5
3
October.
19
00
=
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
1
3
4
6
2
December.
27
17
10
3
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
2
3
3
7
3
1
Totals. .
300
139
161
25
2
5
1
2
4
5
10
25
17
29
37
46
61
31
Stillbirths Excluded
ANNUAL REPORT
Years.
-
-
November
65
ANNUAL REPORT
INFANT MORTALITY
Totals
Female.
Under 1 Day.
1-2 Days. .
2-3 Days. .
3 Days- 1Wk. . .
1-2 Wks ..
2-3 Wks ..
3-4 Wks ..
3 Wks .- 1 Mos.
1-2 Mos ...
2-3 Mos ..
3-6 Mos.
6-9 Mos ..
9-12 Mos ..
January
4 3 1
1 1
1
1
February
3
1 2
1
1
1
March
1
1
1
April
3
2 1 2
1
May
3
2
1 2
1
June
1
1
1
July
1
1
1
August
1
1
1
September
3
2
1
1
2
October
2
2 2
November
December
3
2 1
2
1
Totals
25 13 12 5 5 1 4 2 2 0 1 0 0 5 0 0
Asphyxia Neonatorum 1
1
I
Cardiac Thrombosis 1
1
1
Cerebral Hemorrhage. 53 2 3 1 1
Congenital Heart Disease. 1 1
1
Gastro Enteritis.
1
1
1
Hemorrhage of Newborn. 2
1 1
2
Intussusception. 1
1
1
Malnutrition
1
1
1
Meningitis
1
1
1
Myocarditis.
1
1
1
Pneumonia-Bronchial 3
3
1
1
1
Premature Births.
6
1 541 1
Whooping Cough.
1
1
1
Totals 25 13 12 5 5 1 4 2 2 0 1 0 0 5 0 0
Male.
66
ANNUAL REPORT
CAUSES OF DEATHS, 1929
January
February
March.
April. .
May.
June. .
July . . .
August.
September
October.
November
December.
Totals. .
Accident-Automobile.
1
2
2 5
Accident-Drowning
1
1
Accident-Electrocution
1
1
Accident-Fall.
1
1
1 3
Accident-Poisoning
1 1
Accident-Railroad
1
1
Alcoholism
1
1
Angina Pectoris
1
1
Aortic Aneurysm
1
1
Appendicitis-Acute
1
1
2 2 6
Arterio Sclerosis
2 5 2 1
2 4
3
3
1
1 24
Asphyxia-Accidental 1
1 2
1
1
Bronchitis-Acute.
2 2
5
Cancer
3
22 25 3 13
3 24
Cardio-Renal Disease
1
1
Cerebral Embolism
1
1
1 3
Cerebral Hemorrhage.
1
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.