USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1931 > Part 2
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Attleboro Trust Company, Trust Account. .
5,000.00
Bristol County Savings Bank . ..
5,000.00
$ 21,914.50
Cash on hand January 1, 1932.
1,274.84
Value of Fund January 1, 1932.
$ 79,189.34
WILLIAM MARSHALL
22
ANNUAL REPORT
$ 77,914.50
Amount of Investment $ 5,000.00 2,000.00
City of Boston
Street Improvement Bond Metropolitan Water Loan Washington St. Loan Sewer Loan
23
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the City Clerk
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :-
I herewith submit the annual report of the clerk of the City of Attleboro for the year ending December 31, 1931.
Receipts
Licenses and Permits
Sale of second hand motor vehicles. $ 36.00
Hackney carriage and express licenses 43.00
Sale of articles on the Lord's Day
450.00
Victuallers' and Innholders'
123.50
Bowling alleys and pool tables
220.00
Auctioneers.
10.00
Junk
100.00
Dealers in second hand furniture.
6.00
Theatre
100.00
Circus
15.00
Sunday entertainments.
189.00
Storage and sale of gasoline.
67.50
Awnings and signs.
64.00
Marriage.
181.00
Transient vendor
239.00
Sale of firearms .
1.00
Carnival
3.00
Miniature golf licenses
60.00
Sundry permits
58.75
$1,966.75
Recording mortgages, etc.
$ 249.25
Certified copies of records.
57.75
Transfer of dog licenses and notices
1.95
Registration in Medicine
.25
Fees for issuing dog licenses
321.20
Fees for issuing sporting and trapping licenses
195.00
Interest on daily balances
9.12
$ 834.52
Paid to City Treasurer
$2,801.27
24
ANNUAL REPORT
The sum of $4,101.00 was received for dog licenses and paid to the County Treasurer, less fees retained by city for issuing same.
The sum of $2,197.25 was received for issuing sporting and trapping licenses and paid to the State of Massachusetts, less fees retained by city for issuing same.
The number of births, marriages and deaths recorded is as follows:
Marriages 225
Deaths 337
Births 493
Conforming to the requirements of Section 17 of the Charter, I submit herewith a record of the attendance of members at the meetings of the Municipal Council during the year 1931:
Names of Members
Total number of meetings.
Number of Meetings Attended .35
Russell V. Blaine.
29
H. Winslow Brown
.35
James A. Freeman.
.33
Arthur F. Gehrung
33
G. Dallas Jencks.
33
Edwin H. Money
35
John B. Morin.
35
Francis J. O'Neil
.29
Earle L. Swift
.34
John A. Thayer
29
Henry E. Wright 29
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE A. WHEELER,
City Clerk.
25
ANNUAL REPORT
Annual Report OF
THE ATTLEBOROUGH HOSPITAL OPERATING THE
STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
FOR THE CITY OF ATTLEBORO 1931
Superintendent-Miss G. G. Rice, R. N.
OFFICERS
JOSEPH L. SWEET, President
ALBERTA REMINGTON CARPENTER, Vice-President HAROLD E. SWEET, Treasurer
FRANCIS G. RUGGLES, Clerk
FRED L. WETHERELL, Assistant Treasurer
TRUSTEES
William H. Bannon Randolph E. Bell Fred E. Briggs
Etta Kent Annie G. King William J. Luther
Alberta R. Carpenter
Martha C. McRae
Ruth W. Clap
Geneva E. Murphy
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D.
Frederick V. Murphy, M. D.
Blanche Daggett
Rev. James M. Quinn
Rosella M. Dimond
Edgar A. Remington
Joseph Finberg Ernest D. Gilmore Victor R. Glencross
Gertrude F. Ryder Samuel M. Stone Florence M. Sweet
*Edward L. Gowen
Harold E. Sweet
William O. Hewitt, M. D.
Raymond M. Horton
Joseph L. Sweet Edwin F. Thayer
Walter M. Kendall
Beatrice W. Wilmarth
THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
Joseph Finberg *Edward L. Gowen Victor R. Glencross
William J. Luther Samuel M. Stone Harold E. Sweet
These latter with the following ex-officio members, Mayor Stephen H. Foley, G. Dallas Jencks representing the Municipal Council and William Marshall, City Treasurer, constitute the administrative board of the hospital.
26
ANNUAL REPORT
TRAINING SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR NURSES
Mrs. Esther Stone, Chairman
Mrs. Nettie Gilmore
Mrs. Gertrude F. Ryder
Miss Irene Battey
Thomas O. Mullaly Claude Smith Mrs. Lillian Briggs
Mrs. Margaret Armstrong
*Deceased
CONSULTING STAFF Surgeons
William M. Conant, M. D. 636 Beacon St., Boston
Daniel Fiske Jones, M. D. 195 Beacon St., Boston
Harry H. Germain, M. D. .475 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Wyman Whittemore, M. D. 199 Beacon St., Boston
Channing C. Simmons, M. D. 205 Beacon St., Boston
Leland S. McKittrick, M. D. .205 Beacon St., Boston
Arthur R. Kimpton, M. D. 23 Bay State Road, Boston
Gilbert Horrax, M. D. Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston
Medical
Herman F. Vickery, M. D .. .26 Chestnut St., Brookline
Richard C. Cabot, M. D .. . . . .. Emerson Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge Charles H. Lawrence, M. D .. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Harry W. Goodall, M. D. 51 Bay State Road, Boston
Specialists
Frederick W. Johnson, M. D. 167 Newbury St., Boston Gynecologist
Ernest G. Crabtree, M. D. 99 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Urologist
Frederick C. Irving, M. D. 475 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Obstetrician
Charles F. Painter, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Orthopedic Surgeon
John G. Kuhns, M. D. 372 Marlborough St., Boston
Orthopedic Surgeon
George Loring Tobey, Jr., M. D .. .270 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Nose, Throat and Ear
Freeman Allen, M. D. 200 Beacon St., Boston Consulting Anesthetist
Douglas A. Thom, M. D. 520 Commonwealth Ave., Boston Neurologist
Henry E. Utter, M. D. 122 Waterman St., Providence Pediatrician
Arial W. George, M. D. 43 Bay State Road, Boston Consulting Radiologist
Timothy Leary, M. D. 43 Bay State Road, Boston John F. Kenney, M. D. 206 Broadway, Pawtucket, R. I.
Consulting Pathologists
27
ANNUAL REPORT
VISITING STAFF OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
STAFF ORGANIZATION
Dr. Herbert Lowell Rich.
President
Dr. Edward S. Ward.
Vice-President
Dr. Jesse W. Battershall
Secretary
SURGICAL STAFF
.John A. Reese, M. D .. Chief of Staff H. Irving Bixby, M. D. . Continuous Service
James A. Bryer, M. D.
*Frederick J. Carley, M. D. G. Adelbert Emard, M. D.
William O. Hewitt, M. D. Ralph P. Kent, M. D. Daniel J. Kiley, M. D.
MEDICAL STAFF
Herbert Lowell Rich, M. D. .. Chief of Staff William M. Stobbs, M. D.
Jesse W. Battershall, M. D.
James H. Bewster, M. D.
Frederick V. Murphy, M. D.
Herbert G. Vaughan, M. D. Edward S. Ward, M. D.
OBSTETRICAL STAFF
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D. Chief of Staff
James A. Bryer, M. D. William O. Hewitt, M. D. Edith Kerkhoff, M. D.
EYE, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT STAFF
Arthur C. Conro, M. D.
. Chief of Staff H. Irving Bixby, M. D. Ralph P. Kent, M. D.
DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA
Frederick V. Murphy, M. D. . Chief of Dept. Jesse W. Battershall, M. D.
William M. Stobbs, M. D.
William O. Hewitt, M. D. Chief of Physiotherapy Department
Edward B. Perkins, M. D. Radiologist,
James H. Brewster, M. D .. . Pathologist
Walter E. Briggs, D. M. D. .Dental Service
EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D.
H. Irving Bixby, M. D. Chairman John A. Reese, M. D.
28
ANNUAL REPORT
ASSOCIATE STAFF
Newell C. Bullard, M. D. Elmer W. Clarke, M. D.
Charles E. Roderick, M. D. Willis L. Hale, M. D.
Fernande Longpie, M. D. Carl J. DePrizio, M. D. Roland L. Smith, M. D. Michael E. Vance, M. D.
Superintendent of Hospital and School of Training G. G. Rice, R. N.
Assistant Superintendent of Hospital and School of Nursing K. V. Lloyd, R. N.
Night Supervisor Mabel A. Johnson, R. N.
Operating Room Supervisor Helen Webb, R. N.
Instructor Olive L. Young, R. N.
Floor Supervisor Effie Brooks, R. N.
Technicians Physiotherapy and X-Ray-Anna M. Moore, R. N. Laboratory-Ruth P. Douglas
Dietitian Alice Sheil
Historian Clara H. Rhodes
Housekeeper Mrs. Luella Lee
Bookkeeper Mary L. A. Kinton
Switchboard Operators Doris P. Lefebvre Alvin Parker
VISITING COMMITTEE, 1931
January : Milford E. Bliss and Dr. William O. Hewitt
February : Harold E. Sweet and Dr. F. V. Murphy
March : Dr. R. P. Kent and *Edward L. Gowen
April : William J. Luther and Raymond M. Horton Ernest D. Gilmore and Mis. Gertrude F. Ryder
May: June : Mrs. Florence M. Sweet and Miss Blanche Daggett Francis G. Ruggles and Edwin F. Thayer Victor R. Glencross and Thomas O. Mullaly
July : August :
September: Mis. Beartice W. Wilmarth and Harry Holbrook
October : Mrs. Tilda B. Stone and Joseph Finberg
November: Mrs. Maude F. Tweedy and Fred E. Sturdy
December : *Deceased
Mrs. Gertrude.H. Sweet and Edgar A. Remington
Balance. 683.91
263,889
1931
267,327 253,594
1932
210,624
1933
218, 766
1954
217, 695
1935
1936
236,513 238,788
salaries 4,138, 75-
239,180
1,684,10
508.95
233,014.
1,152.99
940
1930-
1937 1938 19819 237,129
Teachers working on Tommer
29
ANNUAL REPORT
HISTORY OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
By a generous clause in the will of Mrs. Ellen A. Winsor, the homestead estate of her father, the late James H. Sturdy, was bequeathed to the Town of Attle- borough to be used for a general hospital, in memory of James H. and Adah S. Sturdy. In addition to this gracious act, Mrs. Winsor placed hei residuary estate in a permanent fund, to be known as the Albert W. and Ellen A. Winsor Fund, to be held in trust, the income only thereof to be used to assist in the maintenance of said hospital. The original gift of real estate known as the Sturdy Foundation, is valued at $30,000 and the personal property left by Mr. and Mrs. Winsor known as the Winsor Foundation, is valued at $93,000.
The location for such an institution was ideal, but to prepare the property for modein hospital work required the expenditure of a larger sum of money than the Town officials felt warranted at this time in asking the citizens to appropriate. At this crisis the Attleborough Hospital, a corporation organized under Massa- chusetts laws, came forward and offered to take the property in trust, reconstruct the home house, build new additions, erect in connection therewith a modern operating wing, equip the whole plant, and open the institution as a general hospital to be known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
The Town of Attleborough at a special meeting held May 14, 1912, accepted the offer of the Attleborough Hospital, and in due time placed the property in question in trust with said corporation.
The work of reconstruction and new building was commenced in July, 1912, and on April 14, 1913, after an expenditure of something over $30,000. the hospital was opened.
Again in July, 1914, another addition was made, known as the Nurses' Home, with provisions also for maternity cases, thus making 30 beds as the total capacity of the hospital, being largely possible because of a gift of $10,000 from the late Fannie M. Tappan. The total cost of this addition was approximately $18,000, and the balance was provided from income from trust account and individual gifts.
In 1922 Joseph L. Sweet, President of the Attleborough Hospital since its beginning, provided for the erection of a $125,000 fireproof addition to be known as the Florence Hayward Sweet Maternity Building, and adding 21 beds to the capacity of the hospital .. This addition was opened June 4, 1923, and the gift included a new plant and boiler house situated at the rear of the lot back of the present Nurses' Home, providing the steam and heating and other needs of the whole hospital.
With the realization that its facilities were being taxed to the limit and the needs of a substantial addition pressing, the Board of Managers, in the fall of 1924, voted to undertake a campaign for additional funds. With an enthusiasm on the part of the subscribers and workers unparalleled in the history of our community, this campaign was brought to a successful conclusion on February 9, 1925, with total pledges of over $392,000, the objective having been $300,000.
The Sturdy Homestead, formerly the main hospital, was relocated in the rear of the Nurses' Home, giving much needed additional accommodation for nurses, and a three story, sixty-five room, buff brick and stone, modern hospital building was erected on the site of the old hospital.
The new unit reached such a point of completion as to permit of the registi a- tion of the first patient therein on July 25, 1926. On September 30th the building was thrown open for inspection by the public, and while no formal exercises were attempted, in the evening a dinner was given to the local and consulting staffs, with an especially splendid representation of the latter who were exceedingly gener ous in their commendation of the entire hospital plant and its equipment- highly significant, coming from professional men who have frequent contacts with the very best hospital facilities in the country.
30
ANNUAL REPORT
We now have an up-to-date, 125 bed hospital with a replacement value of the plant of over half a million dollars, well nigh complete in its appointments, with well-equipped and competently administered X-Ray, Laboratory and Physiotherapy departments.
A capable and devoted staff of physicians, superintendent and nurses, a consulting staff of physicians and surgeons of wide repute, and an interested public, largely represented through the effective help rendered by the women's organization now known as the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Aid Association, have resulted in the development of one of the finest hospitals in New England, with a standard of efficiency equivalent to that in many of the larger and well known hospitals.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council: January 11, 1932
The accompanying reports of the Treasurer with Auditor's certificate attached, the Superintendent of the Hospital, and of the Hospital Aid Associa- tion, convey to you the details of the eighteenth year of the operation of Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
A comparison with last year's figures shows that we cared for fourteen more patients in 1931-1677 as against 1663 in 1930. There was a notable increase in the number of patients received from out of town particularly from North Attleboro (364), Mansfield (95) and Plainville (52). Over 47%, o1 nearly half of our patients, came to us from out of town and that is a compelling reason for our request for financial assistance from surrounding towns, provision already having been made for the insertion of the proper article in the various town warrants.
The prevailing stringency in the financial condition of so many of our people is naturally reflected in an increase in our operating deficit for the year 1931 which amounted to $4528.31. This compares favorably, however, with much larger deficits reported by nearby institutions of a similar character and is all the more remarkable when you consider that the doors of Sturdy Hospital are not closed to anyone regardless of their financial condition.
Twenty-four hours a day for every day of the year we are open for the recep- tion of patients who are cared for by a competent and faithful staff of physicians and nurses under conditions that result in the continuance of our rating as a Class A hospital.
As we gather for our annual meeting, we are saddened by the recent death of Edward L. Gowen, connected with this hospital since its beginning, having served as Treasurer from 1913 to 1920, and since then as a member of the Board of Managers. He has always been keenly and helpfully interested in the adminis- tration of the affairs of this institution.
During the past year we have received the following additions to our perma- nent funds from the estates of the following deceased persons who left this tangible evidence of their appreciation: J. Frank Mason, $10,000; Laura V. Gustin Conibear, $1,000; Georgianna H. Williams, $500; Henrietta F. Leonard, $200 additional.
We attach a list of payments by the City of Attleboro for the account of the hospital in 1931 together with our estimate of the amounts required for like purposes in 1932.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph Finberg Stephen H. Foley Victor R. Glencross G. Dallas Jencks William J. Luther William Marshall Samuel M. Stone Harold E. Sweet
Boara of Managers
31
ANNUAL REPORT
Appropri- ated and Expended 1930
Requested 1931
Appropri- ated and Expended 1931
Requested 1932
Coal.
$3,061.84
$4,000.00
$3,909.03
$4,000.00
Insurance.
1,590.14
1,000.00
573.98
850.00
Water
945.85
940.00
983.27
1,000.00
Hydrants
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
$5,657.83
$6,000.00
$5,526.28
$5,910.00
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Trustees and Managers Of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital:
Gentlemen:
I herewith present my annual report of the Hospital for the year ending December 31, 1931 :-
Total number of patients admitted . 1677
Male .
664
Female
1013
Private patients 1229
Ward patients. 448
Total number of children 12 years of age or under 300
Medical patients
139
Adults. 119
Children . 20
Surgical patients
.608
Adults 549
Children.
59
E. E. N. & T. patients.
.355
Adults. 134
Children 221
Obstetrical patients
.575
Mothers. 297
Babies
278
Total number of deaths. .90
Medical. .35
Surgical .38
E. E. N. & T 2
Obstetrical 3 Newborn. 12
Stillbirths 13
Autopsies 9
Daily average for the year 52.13
Maximum number of patients. 74 Minimum number of patients. 29
32
ANNUAL REPORT
State cases 1
City of Attleboro cases. 32
Town of North Attleboro cases 3
Town of Mansfield 8
Town of Seekonk. 2
Town of Rehoboth 2 .
Town of Plainville. 1
Free cases 69
Total number of accidents. 75 Automobile accidents. 45
Industrial accidents 21
Other accidents 9
REPORT OF THE OPERATING ROOM
Major operations 352
Minor operations 732
21
Cystoscopies.
Transfusions. 14
4
Pylograms.
Total 1123
(An increase of 12 major operations)
(Decrease of 42 minor operations)
(Increase of 7 cystoscopies)
(Increase of 4 transfusions)
(Increase of 4 pylograms)
REPORT OF THE X-RAY DEPARTMENT
X. Ray examinations 935
X-Ray Treatments. 19
Fluroscopic examinations. 60
Total.
1014
(This exceeds the previous year by 101)
REPORT OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT
Number of patients admitted to the department.
62
Number of visits to the department. 826
Number of treatments given:
Massage.
379
Diathermy
348
Ultra violet (air cooled) 200
Ultra violet (water cooled).
69
Sinusoidal.
46
Infra Red . 449
4
Fulguration
1495
33
ANNUAL REPORT
Diseased conditions treated:
Cervical adenitis
3
Toxic arthritis
1
Asthma.
1
Bursitis. 2
Bronchitis. 3
Contusions
7
Dislocations
1
Facial paralysis .
2
Fractures.
22
Granulating wounds.
7
Impetigo
1
Myositis.
1
Optic atrophy
1
Pneumonia.
3
Psoriasis .
1
Sacro-iliac strain
2
Synovitis.
3
Tinea
Total. 42
LABORATORY REPORT FOR 1931
Haemaglobins. 316
White Blood Counts. 1318
Red Blood Counts. 274
Differentials.
196
Coagulations
333
Bleeding Time.
4
Urine-Routine 3847
Renal Functions.
62
% Sugar
104
% Albumins
6
Acetone. .
3
Diacetic Acid.
5
Fixation test.
1
Guinea Pig innoculation for T. B.
2
Bile.
2
Occult Blood.
2
Blood Chemistry-Sugar.
124
N. P. N. 74
Creatinine
30
Cultures-Blood .
26
Organisms
59
Nose. .
45
Throat
52
Operating room Cultures.
70
Smears-Organisms
66
T. B.
28
G. C.
38
Vincent's Angina.
28
Nose
34
Throat
47
1
34
ANNUAL REPORT
Feces-Typhoid.
3
Occult Blood.
11
Microscopic
2
Malaria .
6
Amoeba
2
Bile.
3
Stomach-Free HCL.
2
Total acidity
2
Occult Blood.
4
Lactic Acid
2
Blood Typing
57
Wassermann taken
60
Widal taken.
19
Icterus Index
1
Blood for Undulant Fever
11
Spinal Fluids
16
Autopsy
9
Surgical Tissues.
339
Patients admitted from
Attleboro.
775
South Attleboro
68
Hebronville.
23
Dodgeville
19
North Attleboro
328
Attleboro Falls.
36
Plainville.
52
Wrentham
20
Norton.
63
Chartley
31
Mansfield
95
Foxboro
12
Seekonk
34
Rehoboth
23
Franklin .
1
Other cities and towns.
97
1677
NATIVITIES OF PATIENTS ADMITTED 1931
United States
Foreign
Massachusetts.
1110
Canada . 105
Rhode Island .
190
England.
35
Maine. .
27
Ireland.
31
New Hampshire.
27
Italy 10
New York.
24
Scotland.
7
Connecticut
20
Sweden
8
Vermont.
13
Portugal
9
New Jersey
10
Russia .
1
Pennsylvania
5
Germany
3
Illinois.
3
Finland
3
Maryland
2
Armenia
3
Wisconsin.
2
Turkey
3
Kansas.
2
Brazil
2
California
2
Azores .
1
Iowa
...
2 Switzerland
1
35
ANNUAL REPORT
Indiana
1
Poland.
1
Alabama
1
Greece .
1
Delaware
1
Serbia
1
Ohio.
1
Austria.
1
Minnesota
1
Bulgaria.
1
Michigan.
1
Palestine
1
Montana
1
1446
231
REPORT OF THE TRAINING-SCHOOL
In 1931 fifteen pupil nurses were admitted for training. Seventeen nurses were graduated in October-a few of these are still in the Hospital completing their courses and making up lost time from sickness, etc.
A very complete life-size Model with removable organs was donated to the Training-School by the Ladies' Aid. This is a very efficient addition to our class-room equipment and of great use in the teaching of anatomy.
There are forty nurses at present in the training-school.
It was decided this year to admit for training only High School graduates. We always have quite a number of applicants, more than should be trained at this time, and by raising the admission requirements it has eliminated quite & few of these.
Two very modern Bed-pan Sterilizers have been installed in the Florence Hayward Sweet Maternity Building-the gift of Mı. J. L. Sweet. We were badly in need of these sterilizers and it has made such a difference in the efficiency of the work.
The two utility rooms and diet-kitchens have also been painted and reno- vated by Mr. L. J. Sweet.
Our Donation Day this year was a great success-more so than on previous occasions.
In February, 1931, through the suggestion of Dr. F. V. Murphy, who is a member of the Library Committee, a Hospital Book Service was established from the Library. Every Tuesday and Friday between the hours of 10 and 12 the Senior Assistant Librarian distributes books to any patients who are desirous of having them. The record show 3,278 books have been distributed since it was started. This has been a wonderful thing for the Hospital and I know that it has been very much appreciated by the patients and the nurses and the help who have also been able to take advantage of this. We feel very grateful to the Librarians for their faithful and efficient work.
Enclosed is a short report from the Senior Assistant Librarian.
For Basal Metabolism we had 39 patients.
Respectfully submitted,
Gwendolyn G. Rice, R. N., Superintendent.
36
ANNUAL REPORT
LIBRARY SERVICE AT THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 1931 (Feb .- Dec.)
Total number days hospital was visited. 95
Total number books circulated . . 3,278
Number of books at hospital January 1, 1932 233
91 were bought especially for this service 37 were gifts
105 were loaned from central library
The book collection covers a wide range, including biography, humor, history, science, as well as fiction, children's books, and magazines.
Requests for books not in the collection at the hospital are filled whenever possible.
Dorothy I. Hannaford,
Senior Assistant Librarian.
To the Trustees and Managers of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Gentlemen:
The following brief summary of the work done on the surgical service during the year 1931 is respectfully submitted :-
Total number of Surgical patients admitted 608
Adults 549
Children 59
Major Operations 352
Minor Operations 732
Cystoscopies 21
Transfusions. 14
Total number of Surgical Deaths 39
Of the 352 cases upon whom major operations were performed, 23 died, giving an operative mortality of 6.4%. These 23 can be subdivided as follows :-
Advanced Carcinoma 5
Appendicitis 1
Disease of the Gall Bladder 4
Diverticulitis 2
Intestinal Obstruction 3
Messenteric Thrombosis 1
Prostatic Obstruction. 4
Pyloric stenosis
1
Pyonephrosis
1
Uterine Myoma 1
Again, as in 1930, our record in appendicitis is outstanding, with only one death recorded among 193 operations performed for this condition. This can be looked upon as a splendid commentory upon the altertness and diagnostic ability of all the physicians who practice within the territory from which this hospital draws, for it is only by prompt recognition and early operation that such satisfactory results can be attained in this dread disease.
Among the 432 cases upon whom minor operations were performed there were no deaths.
37
ANNUAL REPORT
The remaining 16 deaths upon whom no operations were performed may be classified as follows :-
Automobile Accidents. 7 Severe Injuries from Falls, etc. 4
Advanced Cancer 2
Carbuncle of Face. 1
Erysipelas. 1
General Peritonitis 1
As was to be expected, in the presence of such a wide spread drop in business activity, with the resultant increase in unemployment and short time, there has been a decided increase in ward cases and a proportionate decrease in private cases.
In spite of the poor economic situation which has prevailed throughout the year, 33 more patients were admitted to the Surgical Service for treatment than in the preceding year. This increase would undoubtedly have been greater under normal conditions, for there are a great many surgical diseases which do not demand immediate treatment, and it is certain that a large proportion of these cases have been influenced to postpone seeking relief until better times are upon us.
Infection of clean wounds continue to be extremely rare, and far below the average attained in most hospitals. Serious post-operative complications have been notably few in number. Our good fortune in this respect is in a large measure due to the highly intelligent and conscientious attention to detail which has prevailed among the Nursing Staff, both in the operating room and on the wards.
During the past year we have suffered the loss of one of the original members of the surgical group in the death of Dr. F. J. Carley of North Attleboro. Dr. Carley was an indefatigable worker, who could always be depended upon to respond when called. His professional assignments were certain to receive his best thought and painstaking attention. His patients were never neglected.
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