USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1937 > Part 10
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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 accounts 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 com- munity, this campaign was brought to a successful conclusion on February 9, 1925, with total pledges of over $392,000, the objective having been $300,000.00.
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 registra- 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 generous 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.
119
ANNUAL REPORT
The death of Joseph L. Sweet in July, 1932, ended the services of one who has been active in the management and expansion of the hospital from its beginning. For more than twenty years, he was president of the corporation, and to that office he brought not only an executive ability, but the financial support which the institution needed so badly. He was intensely interested in seeing first, that the hospital was well equipped to meet the needs of the community, and second, that it was endowed and fortified against financial stress.
Up to the time of his death, his donations exceeded $207,000, not counting various annual gifts given from time to time for needed equipment or special purposes. Under his will, he generously provided for further gifts, of which $155,000 has already been received and added to the permanent funds. Further- more, his will directed that the residue of his estate, after the termination of the life interest of his widow, should be paid to the hospital.
We now have an up-to-date 125 bed hospital with a replacement value for the plant of over half a million dollars, well nigh complete in its appointments, with well-equipped and competently administered X-Ray, Laboratory and Physio- therapy 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.
R PORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS
January 10, 1938
To the Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council:
We submit the 25th annual report of the operation of Sturdy Memorial Hospital and call your attention to the fact that April 14, 1938, marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the institution, an event of such significance as to warrant proper recognition.
Our total of patients admitted annually continues to increase-2008 in 1937 compared with 1927 in 1936. A slightly less number of babies were born at the hospital during the past year-363 as against 371 in the year preceding, but if we should have a home-coming week next April for Sturdy-born babies, there would be several thousand of them.
More patients came from Attleboro, Hebronville, Dodgeville, Attleboro Falls, Wrentham, Mansfield and Rehoboth-less from North Attleboro, Plainville, Norton, Chartley, Foxboro, Seekonk and Franklin.
The Town of Mansfield, Rehoboth and Seekonk continued their annual contribution of $250 each, thus enabling their citizens to obtain a rebate on ward rates.
After three successive years of an excess of receipts over expenses, we have to report a slight deficiency for 1937-$250.55, thus increasing our accumulated deficit to $13,450.37.
It should be noted, however, that we had a substantial amount of extra- ordinary expense in 1937 some of which might properly be treated as capital investment. Our new X-Ray equipment, washing machine, operating table,
120
ANNUAL REPORT
and extensive repairs at the Winsor cottage cost nearly $6,000. We received special contributions toward the X-Ray outfit amounting to $2,790.00 and were highly gratified at the generous response to our appeal for these funds. Especial mention is made of the liberality of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Finberg and the helpful and productive effort of Mr. Frank J. Ryder who voluntarily undertook the solicitation of the money needed to renew this important part of our equipment.
The balance of the Ellen B. McCabe bequest in the amount of $500.00 was received in 1937.
We have discussed with representatives of the Associated Hospital Service their plan of providing hospital care to their subscribers at a reasonable annual fee, but have not yet worked out any satisfactory plan for collection of these annual subscriptions having found among employees and employers very positive objection to handling this through the medium of another payroll deduction.
We renew our suggestion relative to providing a parking area in the rear of the hospital. Conditions on Park Street for a considerable distance during visit- ing hours in the early evening are extremely hazardous for pedestrians and through traffic and a great hindrance in case of fire at the hospital or on neighboring property.
The fact that we are able to report a Class A rating each year does not indicate that conditions are merely static for the standards of the American College of Surgeons are being raised constantly and we are able to keep pace with these only because of the devoted and competent services of our splendid staff of doctors and nurses together with the assistance so freely bestowed by the Hospital Aid, church and club organizations and the bounteous response on Donation Day.
The figures below show the amounts expended by the City of Attleboro for the hospital in 1937 and our estimated requirements for the same items in 1938.
Respectfully submitted,
H. Winslow Brown, Mayor
Harold E. Sweet, Chairman
Joseph Finberg
Victor R. Glencross
William J. Luther
Samuel M. Stone
Edwin F. Thayer
Board of Managers, Attleborough Hospital, Inc., operating Sturdy Memorial Hospital for the City of Attleboro.
Requested Expended
1937
1937
Requested 1938
Water
$1,200.00
$1,179.44
$1,200.00
Insurance
530.00
100.32
105.00
Hydrant.
60.00
60.00
60.00
Fuel and Light.
4,795.00
4,915.19
5,245.00
Treasurer's Bond.
25.00
25.00
25.00
$6,610.00
$6,279.95
$6,635.00
1937 Appropriation
6,280.00
Unexpended Balance
.05
William Marshall, City Treasurer
Earle L. Swift
Municipal Council Representative Members Ex-Officio
121
ANNUAL REPORT
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, 1937 :-
Total number of patients admitted to the hospital.
Male
779
2008
Female
1229
Number of out-patients treated at the hospital. 635
Total number of Private Cases. 1252
Total Number of Ward Cases. 756
Total number of children 12 years of age or under 331
Medical patients 189
Adults . 163
Children 26
Surgical patients 700
Adults. 626
Children . 74
E. E. N. & T. patients 375
Adults . .
144
Children . 231
Note: of the above patients 8 were treated on two services.
Obstetrical patients. Mothers.
Babies. 363
Total number of births 376
Total live births 363
Total stillbirths
13
Total number of deaths for the year. 120
Medical.
49
Surgical 58
E. E. N. & T. 0
Obstetrical. 0
Newborn.
13
Autopsies
4
Daily average for the year 58.12
Maximum number of patients 86
Minimum number of patients. 37
Total number of accidents 123
Automobile accidents 56
Industrial accidents. 33
Other accidents 34
Report of the Operating-room
Major operations. 394
Minor operations 925
Transfusions 45
Cystoscopies
8
Proctoscopies .
1
.
Total 1373
752
389
122
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the X-Ray Department
X-Ray examinations 1186
86
Fluroscopic examinations Treatments. 9
Total 1281
Report of the Physiotherapy Department
49 patients admitted to the department 830 visits to the department
Treatments given :
Massage
501
Diathermy
10}
Ultra Violet, A. C. 173
45
Infra Red.
524
Sinusoidal
163
Total. 1515
Diseased conditions treated:
Arthritis .
2
Bronchitis
1
Bursitis, sub-deltoid .
2
Cerebral hemorrhage
2
Contusions . 4
1
Fractures.
19
Granulating wounds.
10
Herpes zoster
2
Myositis .
1
Premature baby
1
Psoriasis .
2
Synovitis
1
Thrombosis Obliterans
1
49
Report of Basal Metabolism
30 Basal Metabolism Tests given
Report of the Laboratory
BLOOD WORK
WPC.
1527
REC
576
Hemaglobin . 640
Differentials. 440
Coagulations.
350
Typings
197
Reticulocyte Count
4
Bleeding time.
4
Malaria.
1
Platelet Count.
1
Cultures .
....
32
Ultra Violet, W. C.
Facial paralysis, traumatic.
123
ANNUAL REPORT
BLOOD CHEMISTRY
Sugars
122
N. P. N 110
Creatinine 32
Icterus Index. 4
Van den Bergh
2
URINES -
Routine 4078
24-hour
73
Renal function. 57
FECES
Occult blood 24
Ova .
1
SPUTUM
T. B. 24
Organisms 15
GASTRIC ANALYSIS 2
SPINAL FLUIDS
10
VON PIRQUET
3
PNEUMOCOCCUS-TYPING 13
SURGICAL TISSUES 344
CULTURES
Organisms.
82
Nose and Throat
9
SMEARS
G. C. 23
Organisms. 39
T. B. 7
Vincent's Angina. 4
SENT TO STATE LABORATORY
Hintons (blood). 106
Hintons (Spinal fluid)
8
G. C. Compl .- fixation
1
Widals. 4
Undulant fever aggultination . 4
Stool for typhoid.
.
2
124
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL
Student nurses in the Training-School December 31, 1937. 36
(This number includes 12 away affiliating all the time.)
Students admitted during the year 14 (Three students of the February class resigned; two unable to do satisfactory work and one on account of illness.)
Students graduated 12
Graduate Nurses employed for Floor Duty
12
The affiliations with: The Boston City Hospital, Boston The Chapin Hospital, Providence The Taunton State Hospital, Taunton continues satisfactorily. There has been no serious illness among the nurses this year.
We have had many applicants for training from the Attleboros and the surrounding cities and towns, but very few of them meet the educational require- ments of the State Board of Registration for Nurses, hence the small number admitted to training during the year.
Respectfully submitted, Gwendolyn G. Rice, R. N. Superintendent.
Patients admitted from :
Attleboro. 915
South Attleboro 88
Hebronville 39
Dodgeville.
30
1072
North Attleboro 292
Attleboro Falls. 47
Plainville 50
Wrentham 30
Norton 85
Chartley 25
Mansfield 153
Foxboro 17
Seekonk .
90
Rehoboth. 53
Franklin 2 505
Other cities and towns
92
92
Total.
2008
Cases of:
Attleboro Welfare. 131
North Attleboro Welfare
16
Seekonk Welfare
29
Rehoboth Welfare
28
Mansfield Welfare.
26
Norton Welfare
12
339
Plainville Welfare.
2
State of Massachusetts
17
Free cases
47
125
ANNUAL REPORT
Nativities of Patients
United States
Foreign
Massachusetts.
1383
Canada.
115
Rhode Island
204
England
32
Maine.
32
Ireland.
18
New York
28
Italy
18
New Hampshire
26
Sweden
12
Connecticut
21
Portugal.
12
Pennsylvania
13
Scotland.
10
Vermont .
12
Germany
7
New Jersey
6 Poland
7
Maryland
4
Russia .
4
Michigan.
3
Armenia.
3.
Colorado
2
Brazil
3
Indiana.
2
France.
2
Kansas.
2
Greece.
2
Ohio
2
Austria.
1
Delaware.
1
Bahama Islands
1
Florida
1
Bavaria
1
Honolulu
1
Belgium
1
Illinois
1
B. W. I.
1
Iowa.
1
China. .
1
Kentucky
1
Switzerland.
1
Montana.
1
Nebraska.
1
Oregon
1
Tennessee
1
Texas.
1
Virginia
1
Wisconsin
1
1754
REPORT OF THE HOSPITAL LIBRARY SERVICE
During the year 1937 there has been an increasing demand for reading material outside the recreational field. Although any material of this nature is not generally kept at the Hospital, the requests were filled as soon as possible from the central library. These requests came from patients and employees both. Particularly noticeable were the requests made by many of the men patients for books on scientific subjects.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation to those who made it possible for me to circulate among the patients the many current magazines which were subscribed to by the Attleboro Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The lack of current magazines has long been felt in this branch of the library service and it is indeed gratifying to have this need so well supplied now.
Following is the list of circulation figures for the year 1937:
Adult fiction . .
1734
Adult non-fiction. 887
Foreign books.
6
Juvenile fiction
499
Juvenile non-fiction
193
Pictures
173
Total
3522
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. M. W. Whittemore, Hospital Librarian.
. .
.
.
1
Minnesota
1 Turkey
253
126
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Board of Managers, and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
Submit the following brief summary of the work done on the Surgical Service during the year 1937, just ended:
Total number of surgical patients admitted. 700
Adult. 626
Children 74
Major operations performed 394
Minor operations performed. 926
Transfusions 45
Cystoscopies 8
Total number of surgical deaths 56
This represents an increase of 55 admissions to the surgical service over the year before. As a result of this increase there were 1220 operations performed, as compared to 1173 the preceding year, making this the largest year since the hospital was opened.
Among the 394 cases upon whom major operations were performed, there were 26 deaths, giving an operative mortality of 6.6%. Of the 926 cases upon whom minor operations were performed there was one death, which could in no way be ascribed to the operative procedure.
The total operative mortality for combined major and minor cases, of which there were 1220, was 2.2%. Of the remaining 30 fatal cases, death occurred as a result of accidental injuries in 23, and no operation was performed on the other 7. Eleven of the deaths due to accidental injuries followed automobile accidents which represents a decided increase over preceding years, and should be a most convincing argument in the campaign for highway safety.
Careful analysis of the operative deaths shows that a large majority of these were among a debilitated, usually senile, group, often complicated by permanent circulatory or kidney damage, with intercurrent surgical disease, demanding operative treatment in the forlorn hope of prolonging life, or alleviating suffering. To substantiate these findings, it was interesting to note that of the whole 26 patients who succumbed following major operations only two were under fifty years of age.
To offset this group, however, there was a much larger number of similar cases in which the operations were successful, and should result in many years of comfortable, happy existence instead of an otherwise hopeless outlook for the future.
More than three times as many transfusions were given during 1937 as in the preceding year, which denotes the growing confidence in, and increased use by the Staff members of this valuable and frequently life saving therapeutic measure.
Our record in appendicitis cases continues to be a source of much satisfaction to the members of the surgical group. During 1937 there were 191 operations for appendicitis without a single death from this oftentimes dangerous disease.
The replacement of the old operating table in one of the operating rooms with a new, and thoroughly modern table, has been very much appreciated by the surgeons and anaesthetists. It has helped a great deal in our daily work, as has also the new X-Ray equipment, which has made possible a very definite improve- ment in the quality of pictures turned out by the X-Ray department.
The usual devotion to duty and unfailing interest in the patients entrusted to their care, which we have learned to expect from the members of the Staff, has been most apparent at all times.
In closing i should like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Managers, the Superintendent, and nurses for the sincere attitude of helpfulness and cooperation which has existed at all times throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, John A. Reese, M. D., Chief of Surgical Staff.
127
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Board of Managers and Members of the Staff, of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen:
The following is a summary of the eye, ear, nose and throat service for the year 1937:
A total of 362 patients were treated by this department as follows:
Tonsillectomies and Adenoidectomies . 320
Mastoidectomies 15
Sub-mucous resection Nasal Septum. 6 Iridectomy . 1 Tubinectomy 1
Minor operations 19
There were no deaths during the year in this service.
Allow me here to express my appreciation of the willing help given by the members of this service in doing the large number of tonsillectomies and in assisting at the mastoidectomies.
Thanks are also extended to the members of the executive and nursing staff ,
Arthur C. Conro,
Chief of Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Staff.
To the Board of Managers,
and Members of the Staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital,
Gentlemen :
I herein submit to you the report and summary of the work done by the members of the Staff of the medical service during the year 1937.
There was an increase of thirty-one in the number of patients admitted on the medical service. The increase was mainly in adult patients, for the added number of children was not in proportion to the adult admissions. A decided advantage would accrue to the hospital could the number of children admitted to the service be increased, for here we find the least work offered to the student nurses.
There are some illuminating and instructive data concerning the patients entering the hospital on the medical service. Twenty-five were in the hospital for twenty-four hours and fifteen of them died, fourteen for forty-eight hours and five died, and thirteen for seventy-two hours and two died. These figures show a very high death rate for the first forty-eight hours after admission. It is patent that quite a per cent of the cases were practically moribund when entering the hospital, and no effort of the physician would make any change in the outcome. Such admissions create a hopeless situation for the physicians on service.
This is a matter which deserves the careful consideration of the hospital authorities and the members of the staff of the hospital.
The following is a brief summary of the work of the medical service for the year 1937:
Total number of patients admitted Adults. Children 26
189
163
Total number of deaths. .49
Four cases admitted to the service were transferred to the surgical service for operation and treatment, and two cases were received from the surgical service. .
128
ANNUAL REPORT
The total number of deaths during the year was 49, due to the following diseases:
Cerebral hemorrhage. 3
Cerebral hemorrhage and Thrombosis 1
Progressive Cerebral Thrombosis. 1
Increased intra-cranial pressure, cause undetermined. 1
Tubercular meningitis. 1
Acute bronchitis, chronic myocarditis. 1
Broncho-pneumonia . 3
Broncho-pneumonia, Diabetes Mellitus 1
Broncho-pneumonia, Cerebral hemorrhage 1
Lobar pneumonia . 4
Lobar pneumonia, General arterio-sclerosis. 1
Termibal stage of pneumonia . 1
Unresolved pneumonia, Chronic myocarditis 1
Pertussis, Broncho-pneumonia 1
Pulmonary T. B., Intussusception
1
Congenital Broncho-fibro-cystic disease
1
General arterio-sclerosis. 1
Arterio-sclerosis heart disease, Diabetes, T. B .. 1
Arterio-sclerosis, Cerebral hemorrhage, Neuro-syphilis . 1
Arterio-sclerosis heart disease, Broncho-pneumonia. 1
Arterio-sclerosis, Cerebral hemorrhage 1
Coronary Embolism. . 1
Myocarditis, Mitral insufficiency
Congenital heart disease, Rheumatic Endocarditis. 1
Rheumatic heart disease, Hypertension, Cerebral hemorrhage. 1
Cardio-renal Vascular disease, Diabetes Mellitus 1
Chronic Nephritis. 1
Chronic interstitial nephritis, Aortic insufficiency 1
Chronic nephritis, Cerebral hemorrhage. 1
Acute infection of G. U. Tract, Nephrolithiasis. 1
Cirrhosis of Liver, Ruptured oesophageal varices, Bron- cho pneumonia. 1
Intestinal Ulcer, Chronic myocarditis.
1
Probable Cancer of pancreas, Chronic hypertensive heart disease 1
Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic coma. 3
Acute lymphatic leukemia, Broncho pneumonia. 1
Neutrophilic Leukemia .. 1
Pernicious Anemia.
1
Acute rheumatic fever, Acute rheumatic carditis, Acute pericarditis.
1
Malignant Lymphoma.
1
Delirium Tremens, Chronic Alcoholism. 1
The high mortality in the past year has come during the first 48 hours of admission. Deducting the twenty cases dying within the first 48 hours, the record for work done is a credit to the physicians on the service and the results show the efficiency of their services. The cooperation of the physicians on the service and the faithful and fruitful work done deserve our appreciation. It is this cooperation, this team work, which has made the results possible. I wish to express my appreciation to the members of the service for the work done and the results obtained.
The careful supervision of the Superintendent of the hospital and the nursing care given patients by our nurses have gone far to make these results possible. Their services have been appreciated by the members of the staff and we extend them our appreciation for their work and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, Herbert Lowell Rich, M. D., Chief of Medical Service.
1
129
ANNUAL REPORT
To the Board of Managers, and Members of the Staff of Sturdy Memorial Hospital:
I herein submit the annual report of the Department of Obstetrics:
Total number of patients
752
Mothers. 389
Babies . 363
Obstetrical deaths: 0
Maternal
Babies. 13
Causes of deaths:
Premature birth. 7
5
Cerebral hemorrhage
Congenital cardiac disease 1
We are more impressed each succeeding year of the importance of adequate prenatal care for the safety of both mother and child. With the increasing con- sciousness of expectant mothers of the necessity of keeping in close touch with, and carefully following the advice of the physician both maternal and infant casualties are largely avoided. It is most gratifying to note the extreme in- frequency of such complications as Eclampsia and all forms of toxemia.
The excellent nursing supervision and care has reduced the occurrence of Impetigo to almost nil.
Breast abscesses and post-partum infection are totally absent or of most rare occurrence.
Most sincerely I express my appreciation for the splendid cooperation of the staff, and the careful, diligent efforts of the supervisors and nursing group.
Most gratifying are the splendid letters received from mothers in appreciation of the care and cheerful helpfulness of the nurses at all times, all of which is complimentary of our hospital, its managers, staff and nurses.
Respectfully submitted,
Joshua W. Clarke, M. D., ยท Chief of Obstetrical Service.
To the President and Board of Managers, of Sturdy Memorial Hospital:
During the year 1937 the Department of Anesthesia of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital has continued along the lines of progress indicated in former reports.
Preoperative anxiety and postoperative discomfort are being constantly minimized. We feel that this is due to the increasing practise of preoperative consultations and the wider use of basal anesthetics. The field of anesthesia is constantly widening, and the members of this service are utilizing such measures as are safe and available for the type of surgical cases seen in this community.
Anesthesia administered to hospital and private patients by the members of the Anesthesia department totaled 1373 cases. This includes various methods best adapted to the individual case.
I wish to once more thank the medical and surgical departments, both physicians and nursing staff for the unfailing courtesy and cooperation during the year.
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