USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > 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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
John W. Bullock was appointed an Inspector of Plumbing to serve in place of Joseph M. Seagraves.
A REMARKABLE HEALTH RECORD
Viewed from a public health standpoint this has been an unusual year. After a period of business depression which has been the cause of some adversity if not actual suffering in some quarters, it is gratifying to note that the death rate in the city has been lower than that of any previous year. Mortality statistics have never in the city's history shown a lower death rate-the lowest previous records having been established in 1921 and 1922.
The relative healthfulness of the year is indicated locally not only by the marked reduction in deaths but also by the lessened incidence of the common communicable diseases. With few exceptions as may be noted in our tables, these show remarkable decreases. While these favorable statistics will doubtless be shared by many other cities in the registration area of the country, the fact remains that no community with such a health record may be called other than happy and prosperous.
HEALTH EDUCATION
The teaching of public health becomes each year an increasingly necessary duty for health departments. There is no excuse for ignorance concerning certain health principles. It is of vital interest that these principles of personal and community health are taught, that the source of such information is accurate, and that it be presented in such a way that it will be readily understood and easy of application? What measures are most effective and therefore most practical? The distribution of literature through the schools, and timely articles on public health subjects published in the newspapers always give results, but it is impossi- ble to reach all the homes by these methods.
The most effective means of health educational work and the only practical way in many instances is by means of direct communication with families in their homes. The positive results obtained by the department nurse through home visitation, and the teaching of disease prevention, has made it appear ad- visable to employ other nurses on a part-time basis in our diphtheria prevention
THE STATE'S AGENTS TAKING A HEALTH SURVEY IN THE CITY
Back row-Misses Walsh, Lanagan, Connors. Second row-Misses Sutcliffe, McMahon of Attleboro Health De- partment, McDonald and Mr. Bradley. Front row-Misses Cronin, Davis, Boris, Kennedy, Giblin, Burke. At left, in back of front row, is Dr. Lombard, while in front center are Dr. W. O. Hewitt and Mayor Briggs.
ANNUAL REPORT
55
56
ANNUAL REPORT
work. The end results of this house-to-house instruction have proven it to be of undoubted value as an educational prodecure.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
A comparatively small number of communicable cases has been reported during the year. Practically all the contagious diseases with the exception of whooping cough show substantial decreases in incidence. The number of cases of measles, scarlet fever, and diphtheria showed marked reduction over other years.
There were no epidemics at any time during the year. The total number of contagious cases reported during 1930 was only 247. In 1929 there were 770 cases reported. No cases of Typhoid were reported; there was one resident case last year. Six cases of Diphtheria occurred. In 1929, twenty cases of this disease were reported and quarantined. We had thirty-six cases of Scarlet Fever compared with 147 in 1929, and only twelve cases of measles against a total of 361 for the previous year.
All cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria under quarantine were kept under close supervision, and all known contacts were excluded from school. The department nurse visited each case, and assisted all householders in maintaining proper isolation.
THE HEALTH SURVEY
The State Department of Public Health conducted a chronic disease survey here in June. The work was under the direction of Dr. Herbert L. Lombard, Director, Division of Adult Hygiene.
The State in its study of cancer, and other chronic diseases is attempting to secure data as to their prevalence, economic, and racial distribution, as well as the hospital resources for their care. About ten cities and towns were selected to give a cross section of the whole state, and Attleboro was one of these. Dr. Lombard finished his work here in July and commented on the courtesy shown his workers while in this city. The Attleboro figures secured in this survey are appended, and show the morbidity rate per thousand in individuals over age forty, also the estimated population here by age groups.
THE MORBIDITY RATE PER THOUSAND FOR INDIVIDUALS IN ATTLEBORO OVER AGE FORTY
Attleboro
Rural Attleboro
Apoplexy
12.3
4.7
Cancer
2.3
4.7
Diabetes
8.2
17.2
Rheumatism
72.8
126.9
Heart
42.6
87.6
Arteriosclerosis
31.8
31.3
Nephritis.
14.4
31.3
Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
1.8
4.7
Chronic Bronchitis
3.7
11.0
Other Tuberculosis
0.3
0.0
Asthma.
9.1
11.0
Diseases of Eye and Ear
11.8
4.7
Digestive Diseases
37.1
53.2
Epilepsy
0.3
1.6
Anemia .
1.3
3.1
Diseases of Bone.
1.3
0.0
Accidents. .
8.4
1.6
Varicose Veins.
9.7
12.5
Genito-Urinary
8.2
11.0
Disease
57
ANNUAL REPORT
Neurasthenia.
8.2
7.8
Organic Nervous.
3.4
4.7
Metal.
4.4
4.7
Goiter
0.8
1.6
Ill Defined
11.8
12.5
Others
3.7
1.6
Skin.
1.8
1.6
Ptosis
2.6
1.6
Other Kidney
3.1
1.6
Migraine.
3.1
6.3
Gall Bladder
7.6
9.4
TOTAL.
263.5
360.0
ESTIMATED POPULATION OF ATTLEBORO BY AGE GROUPS
Under 6 years
2500
6-14 years
3400
14-40 years.
.8400
Over 40 years.
7 500
Population of Attleboro surveyed
.3814
Sick individuals.
1005
OUR MILK SUPPLY
It is difficult to make progress along certain lines of public health activity unless the public itself demands protection; concerning the milk supply the average citizen is to say the least complacent.
Milk is, we are certain, a medium through which much disease may be spread, and epidemics may be originated. An adequate supervision of its production and sale should be maintained in the interests of public safety. It has been repeatedly emphasized that such supervision locally is next to impossible under the present system of part-time inspection. While there have been no recent epidemics traceable to our milk supply, it is difficult under present conditions for us to estimate just how much or how little certain infections are spread through milk and there is always, we fear, a potential danger which may cause trouble at any time.
We are delivering in the city approximately 10,200 quarts of milk per day. The amount consumed during the past year has shown an increase rather than a reduction. Over one-half of our supply (5,800 quarts) is pastuerized, and all of our pasteurizing plants are delivering a safe clean milk to the public. Of the raw milk sold a relatively small percentage is from tuberculin tested accredited herds or herds in process of being accredited-this milk is also a fairly safe milk. Far too large a percentage of raw milk sold locally comes from cows which have not been recently tuberculin tested or have never been tested. This milk will continue to be produced and sold here just as long as there are no statutes or city ordinances forbidding such production and sale. A complacent public will continue to drink this milk and give it to children. A city ordinance requiring all milk sold here to be produced from tuberculin tested accredited herds or to be pastuerized is badly needed. Many cities throughout the State have adopted such requirements.
Provision for a full-time inspector of milk and laboratory worker would enable the department to create and enforce such an ordinance. There would naturally follw a more rigid inspection of dairies and food-stuffs and improved cleanliness in handling milk. The city laboratory is at present used only for milk inspection. The service of this laboratory, under a full-time worker, would be extended to include public health laboratory work as well as milk inspection.
58
ANNUAL REPORT
In its aim to carry out some of the measures outlined to insure a safer and better milk supply the attitude of the health department in the matter it is hoped will not be misinterpreted. The department is anxious to eliminate any idea of "police power" from all branches of its work, and to become a more efficient service organization acting in an advisory and helpful capacity to the milk producer.
TUBERCULOSIS
During the past ten years the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis through- out the country has decreased over one half from its former figures.
The significance of this marked reduction in incidence has been due to several factors. In the first place tuberculosis is the most important of all diseases toward which public health attention has been directed. Numerous measures have been employed in its control many of which are closely related to other public health activities. As tuberculosis is made less prevalent other diseases are conquered at the same time. We must, however, recognize certain outstand- ing factors which have had great influence in this control. First among these is health education which has brought about a fairly universal popular knowledge of the nature of tuberculosis, and its method of dissemination. This knowledge has led in turn to the elimination of dust from our streets and to better living and housing conditions. The milk supply has been improved to meet an increasing general demand for safe milk. There is being developed from year to year a more marked health consciousness. The maintenance of the myriads of summer camps for children, and the heightened popularity of outdoor living and of all outdoor forms of recreation have doubtless had much to do toward helping to eliminate this preventable disease.
There is much evidence that the campaign against tuberculosis has been notably successful. The disease, however, is still with us and must be fought all the time. About one quarter of our local department appropriation is now re- quired each year for tuberculosis prevention, and the care of cases. In addition to this expenditure, the city's share for maintenance of the county hospital located here amounted in 1930 to $14,727.34.
The department takes an active interest in all cases reported or discovered and adopts immediate measures to safeguard the patient and to protect from in- fection those who are in immediate contact. The nurse visits each case as soon as reported, and cooperates with the attending physician in the care of the patient and his probable transfer to a hospital. In practically all cases hospitalization is urged for the patient's best interests, for the protection of the immediate family, and of the community. Few cases indeed in the city are cared for in their homes, and no open cases are allowed to live in contact with small children. After hospital care has been provided for the tuberculosis patient, the contact cases in the family are watched carefully. These contacts in the homes are visited fre- quently by the nurse, and those not under the immediate care of a physician are examined periodically in the clinic which is held each week for that purpose. In the clinic, records are kept in numbered folders of the physical examinations and progress of all tuberculosis cases and of all contacts. A street directory lists all cases for visitation, and data in reference to change of residence, admissions to sanatoria, and discharges therefrom are recorded.
It is difficult to make the work of tuberculosis prevention ideal. The custom of caring for practically all our advanced cases in a hospital over a period of years has removed a prolific source of infection from our midst, and has without doubt reduced the incidence of the disease. It is essential to see that adequate treatment and attention is furnished those children in the community who are found to be susceptible to tuberculosis. The demand for such work here is reasonably met by the efforts of our two health camps, and the open-air school room.
59
ANNUAL REPORT
The establishment of a preventorium under municipal supervision would be another step forward toward the ideal in prevention.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION
In carrying out any project particularly one which has covered several years, it is well to consider carefully what has been accomplished and along what lines future activity must be directed. Diphtheria immunization work began here in 1923. It has been the custom each year since the program was inaugurated to hold clinics during October, November and December, at which time intensive work in diphtheria prevention has been carried on. The fall and early winter months when diphtheria is likely to be prevalent has appeared to be the most suitable time to wage a campaign against this preventable disease.
Diphtheria prevention when once started in a community seems an endless task to the health worker, but such efforts, if they have been carried on success- fully, must sooner or later be rewarded by a noticeable diminution in incidence and mortality.
These campaigns never thrive without the help of educational publicity. A considerable amount of literature dealing with the subject has been sent into the homes and through the schools, articles and advertisements in the newspapers have urged immunization and public talks have stressed its importance. The house-to-house canvass plan was tried last year and has been continued this fall with satisfactory effectiveness. The intention of this method is to desseminate the facts about diphtheria prevention among parents throughout the city. The teaching has been done by nurses employed under the direction of the department nurse. A map of the city outlines our objective for each campaign. All the homes in these streets and sections where there are children are visited by the worker and sincere talks are had with the parents about the importance of im- munization. A brief tabulated report of these visits is filed by each worker which furnishes useful information to the department.
After eight years of local effort in prevention a noticeable improvement in the diphtheria situation is apparent. The department has given a complete series of inoculations to 3500 children during that time, and is confident that the cases of the disease must soon be reduced in number. In 1930, 475 children were immunized here, and 358 of these were under six years of age. In the ten years, previous to 1930, 188 cases of diphtheria were reported in this city-an approxi- mate average of nineteen each year. In 1930 only six cases of diphtheria occurred in the city; the smallest number in any one year excepting 1924, and the smallest incidence per 100,000 of population ever recorded here. Added significance of the reduction in diphtheria incidence is afforded by the fact that all these six cases were residents of South Attleboro, near the State line, and that in each in- stance the disease was acquired outside our borders. In the city proper where a larger percentage of the children have been protected not one case of diphtheria was reported during the year.
In November, as soon as these cases appeared in the south part of the city, an instensive drive was made to protect against diphtheria all children in that section. A large number of children, most of whom were of pre-school age, were immunized at the Washington School.
We wish to call particular attention to the fact that no cases of diphtheria have yet occurred among our immunized children and that this situation must have been to a large extent responsible for the marked reduction in diphtheria incidence.
60
ANNUAL REPORT
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC RECORD
1930
Total number treated at clinics
1930
New schick tests.
16
Reschick tests
264
New toxin antitoxin (3 doses).
475
Negative reschick tests. .
223
Positive after reschick tests.
8
New cases under 6 years receiving toxin antitoxin .
358
DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO Rates per 100,000 population
Year
Cases
Case rate
Deaths
1920
41
207
1
1921
37
185
2
1922
11
54
0
1923.
13
63
0
1924.
6
29
1
1925.
8
38
0
1926.
9
42
0
1927.
23
109
2
1928.
20
93
0
1929.
20
92
1
1930.
6
28
0
CASES OF DIPHTHERIA IN ATTLEBORO By Age Groups
Year
0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-29
30-39
40 plus 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
1023
5
3
2
1
1
1
0
0
13
1924
2
1
1
0
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
4
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
1930
1
3
1
0
0
1
0
0
6
Total
55
98
37
13
14
8
11
17
253
ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP Established 1923
The health camp opened in July with its usual quota of forty undernourished boys. Maintenance was provided by the Attleboro Tuberculosis Society through the Community Chest.
The Lions Club, which has charge of buildings and equipment had both in excellent condition for the season. A new building was added to the group this year, which provides under one roof an office for the director and supervisor, a small classroom, and quarters for the male counselor. There are now six build-
61
ANNUAL REPORT
ings at camp-the new one just described, two used as dormitories, a building in the rear of the property which was enlarged two year ago to house the female help, a kitchen and dining room in another building and in the rear of this a separate building utilized as a storeroom.
The camp finished its eighth year of service with a record of very satisfactory gains in weight and the health education program was carried on in an efficient manner. The work of selection of the boys started in February. A long list of underweights was examined, conditions in the homes were observed and reported, and finally forty boys were chosen.
Remediable defects were corrected in each child before he went to camp. Practically all these children have tonsils and adenoids removed before admission. In the last five years one hundred children have had tonsils and adenoids re- moved in preparation for camp. The children's teeth also received attention. All this work entails the expenditure of considerable time, but we feel it is essential to obtain the best results.
During its eight years of existence this camp has been a factor in local pre- vention not only of tuberculosis but of other diseases as well. It has aimed annually to improve physical conditions in a selected group of boys much in need of treatment, and to teach each one about the importance of keeping well.
Many of the boys treated here are now grown up to healthy young manhood.
REPORT OF CAMP SUPERVISOR
I herewith submit my report as supervisor of the Attleboro Health Camp for the season of 1930:
The season just past was successful in many ways. There was a marked improvement in the social as well as in the physical development of the boys; the gains in weight were consistent and satisfactory; posture, which received daily attention in the way of corrective exercises, was appreciably improved; the addition of an administration building and the increase in the number of the staff added much to the comfort and efficient operation of the camp. The season was marked by an absence of illness and even of minor ailments such as might be expected of children of camp age. No accidents occurred during the six weeks period.
Forty boys, fifteen of whom had had previous health camp experience, arrived at camp July 5th, and remained throughout the entire six weeks. The boys as usual represented an underweight, malnourished group ranging in weight from 5-25 percent below standard for age and height. The medians this year were as follows: age 10 years; heights 544 inches; weight 65} pounds, underweight 15 percent. In spite of the fact that the median age was one year older than last year, the boys as a whole seemed more immature than ever before. Special mention should be made of the excellent correction of physical defects in the boys prior to their coming to camp. The records showed that twenty of the number had tonsils and adenoid operations in 1930 and nineteen at some previous time, making a total of thirty-nine out of the forty who had had tonsils removed. This fact is significant in that the possibility of diseased tonsils as a continued cause of underweight in this particular group was eliminated. In addition, twenty-eight had dental care just previous to camp opening. The foregoing figures represent a tremendous amount of work in the selection and preparation of candidates for camp, and are highly commendable.
Another noteworthy improvement in this year's camp was the addition of a fourth counselor. The recommendation for an additional counselor was made in my 1928 report. The results obtained this season by the more systematic and thoroughgoing type of supervision that was possible seem to have justified the increase in staff. The staff this year consisted of: Mr. Leonard Riley of Boston,
ON ADMISSION Typical Undernourished and Underweight Boy
62
ANNUAL REPORT
AT DISCHARGE The Same Boy After Six Weeks Treatment at the Attleboro Health Camp. Total Gain 171/4 Pounds.
63
ANNUAL REPORT
a graduate of Leland Powers School, who served in the capacity of head counselor and instructor in dramatics and campcraft; Miss Helen Allard of Reading, a graduate of Salem Normal, who acted as camp reporter and taught toy making and basketry; Miss Edith Burkland of Mattapan, a graduate of Posse-Nissen, who had charge of corrective work and taught wood carving and nature study; and Miss Gladys Gibbons of Melrose, also a graduate of Salem Normal, who assisted with the health education work and had charge of the youngest or "Brownie" group. Mrs. Myra Ireland of Attleboro served for a second season in the capacity of cook, and was ably assisted by Mrs. Margaret Andrews, a resident of Attle- boro.
The season's aggregate gain of 354 pounds, while 7} pounds less than that of last year, was satisfactory and all that could be expected of boys of that age. The individual gains were unusually good, one boy making a gain of 174 pounds, another 16 pounds. Both these gains exceed any individual gain ever before attained at camp. The minimum gain for the six weeks period was four pounds, and the average gain 8.8.
The campers enjoyed several special treats including a picnic to Robbins Pond, a trip to the movies as the guests of the Bates Theatre to see the Byrd Expedition picture, and two illustrated talks on health by Miss Butler of the New England Dairy and Food Council.
In spite of the rainy weather the last night of camp, the boys put on a credit- able exhibition of handwork and entertainment which was well attended by parents and friends. Each group staged a play under the trained direction of Mr. Riley. The awarding of prizes culminated the evening's program.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation to you for your unfailing loyalty and confidence, to the Lions Club and Tuberculosis Society for their continued interest and support, and to the parents for their splendid spirit of cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, MABEL M. BROWN, R. N., Camp Supervisor
SEWER EXTENSIONS AND CONNECTIONS
Sewer extensions have been laid on Fontneau Avenue, in Dodgeville, and on Park Street to Bishop Street.
There seems to have been some misunderstanding about the latter extension, many of the abuttors objecting when they were required to connect with the sewer.
Several years ago after removal of sewerage from the Ten Mile River and with the connection into the municipal sewer of many houses formerly connected with the old drain it was though advisable to adopt a definite policy in reference to connections with the sewer. The department conferred at the time with the Mayor and with the Superintendent of Public Works, and since then it has been the custom to require every householder abutting on a new extension to connect his house with the municipal sewer within a reasonable time after its installation. Form notices are sent to all abutters after an extension has been put in, and connection has been promptly made in every other instance. Attention was called to this policy in our 1928 report. It seems obvious that some control must be observed by the department as more and more extensions of the sewer are laid; and the reasonable policy outlined will therefore be continued. Members of the council, before voting an extension, might well investigate into the necessity for its construction as well as the demand for it on the part of property owners along its proposed course. The proper time for objection to a sewer extension by those concerned would appear to be before construction and not after it has been put in.
64
ANNUAL REPORT
Construction of extensions in Lonacut, and on Thacher Street from County Square to Prairie Avenue will need consideration during the coming year.
The matter of installation of a sanitary system for South Attleboro requires careful preliminary study. Some definite action on this problem should soon begin.
DUMPING AND GARBAGE
Several complaints have reached the department concerning objectionable features at the city dump on Bishop Street. The continued drought in the early fall caused considerable damage to nearby woodland from fires which were spread from the dump A conference was held at that time with the Mayor and Chief of the Fire Department concerning this problem. A fence was built in front of the property, and a driveway fenced off so that material must be dumped in a smaller area and at some distance from the street. No complaints have been made since this plan has been in operation.
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.