USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1937 > Part 2
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A great part of the success of the camp was due to the most efficient super- vision given by Mrs. Lois E. Wilmarth.
Our diphtheria prevention clinics were well attended, the result of which is shown by the absence of diphtheria in our city. There was but a single case this year, that being in South Attleboro, due to a carrier from out of State.
During the mid-year, we lost the valuable services of our Milk Inspector, Bacteriologist and Authorized Agent, Mr. Ralph O. Brown. It was with great regret that we parted with Mr. Brown who went the way of all of our inspectors, to a much better paid job. This latter item is one to which we must give some attention in the near future as it has been our good fortune in the past to have some splendid men who have been thoroughly acquainted with our work and just ready to develop and carry through new ideas for the department when along comes the call of the almighty dollar and away they go to a place where their value and knowledge is more greatly appreciated. We have, however, been very fortunate in securing Mr. George S. Congdon as our Authorized Agent and Inspector, he being a graduate of the Massachusetts State College and most thoroughly qualified to carry on the job. Mr. Congdon has carried on some advanced work for the department and much progress is being made.
We have received splendid cooperation from Dr. F. L. Briggs our Inspector of Slaughtering and Inspector of Animals. There were an unusual number of dog bite cases which received a very careful check up by Dr. Briggs.
The routine work of the Department was carried on with exceeding care and faithfulness
As is evidenced by the report of our Inspector of Plumbing, Mr. Arthur B. Read, there was about a twenty-five percent increase in the amount of work done by his department.
Much work has been done by our Health Nurse, Miss May E. McMahon in canvassing houses for children for the diphtheria prevention clinic, also visiting tuberculosis cases and contacts, arranging x-rays for those needing them, also on the contagious disease work, school visits, cooperating with Dr. J. W. Batter- shall and Mrs. Wendell of the School Department.
We feel that our records of contagious diseases and accuracy of death re- ports and all office routine work is most efficiently done by Mrs. Mildred H. Shaw who is increasingly endeavoring to keep the records of our department in excellent condition.
We have made an earnest effort to have the citizens of Attleboro make use of the City Dump located on Bishop Street ard not dump rubbish and unsightly material at random throughout the city.
I desire to recommend an increase in the salaries of our Clerk and our In- spector.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH P. KENT, Health Officer
24
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP-1937
Camp opened again this summer for a period of six weeks with 38 girls attending.
The daily schedule was follows:
Up at 7:15
7:15- 8:00 Showers, dress, air beds, flag raising.
8:00- 8:30 Breakfast
8:30- 9:00 Beds made, things in order.
9:00- 9:30 Free play.
9:30-10:30 Classes, handcraft and dramatics.
10:30-10:45 Milk served.
10:45-11:50
Free play and posture classes.
11:50-12:20 Rest period.
12:20-12:30 Wash for dinner.
12:30- 1:00 Dinner.
1:00- 3:15 Rest period (everyone expected to sleep).
3:15- 3:30 Milk served.
3:30- 5:20
Swimming classes, free play or handcraft.
5:20- 5:50 Rest period.
5:50- 6:00
Wash for supper.
6:00- 6:30
Supper.
6:45 Flag Lowering.
7:00- 7:50 Evening program (plays, campfires, parties, etc.)
7:50 Get ready for bed.
8:10- 8:30
Reading to campers by a counselor.
8:30 Ready for sleep.
This schedule is arranged to give the children selected for camp the funda- mental conditions necessary to promote improvement in health. They are: well balanced meals, long hours of sleep and rest, fresh air and sunshine, daily teaching of corrective posture to improve body mechanics, activity of the amount which does not interfere with body building, as indicated by steady, moderate gain in weight.
The activity is planned for the campers enjoyment. Swimming, folk dancing, dramatics, parties, special entertainments, camp-fires, many kinds of handcrafts keep the children happily occupied.
They also have free access to the many good books in the little library ar- ranged this year in the recreation building.
The ages of the girls ranged from 7 to 14 years. The average age was 9 years.
The average gain in weight was 5 lbs. 2 oz.
There were many intangible gains also both physical and mental.
Children are encouraged to show good camp spirit which is embodied in the Camp Motto: "Be loyal-Be friendly-Be cheerful-Enter into games- Help each other-Be a good sport."
Four counselors, each trained for their particular part in the camp program, were very efficient and conscientious in their work.
The Sunday before camp closed an exhibition was held to show all interested some of the work accomplished in busy hours.
On the last day plays which the different groups had learned and given to entertain each other during camp were repeated for parents and friends.
Pictures were taken at the beginning and end of camp to show improvement in posture. Awards were made at the closing entertainment to those making the greatest improvement in posture and also to those who most consistently showed good "camp spirit."
Lois E. Wilmarth, Supervisor.
25
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR, BACTERIOLOGIST, AND AUTHORIZED AGENT
December 31, 1937
Dr. Ralph P. Kent Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Kent:
The following report is a record of my activities as Milk Inspector, Bac- teriologist, and Authorized Agent of the Health Department for the period between Sept. 10, 1937 and Dec. 31, 1937.
The largest part of my time has been utilized in making periodic inspections of the more than 200 dairy farms and milk plants which are directly under the supervision of this department. Both dairy farms and milk plants have been regularly visited and the supplies of milk of all dairies have been tested at fre- quent intervals.
I have received splendid cooperation from the milk dealers supplying the city of Attleboro and feel that they are attempting to place on the market as high a quality of milk as possible.
Although the general sanitary condition of dairy farms supplying Attleboro has been found to be very good, there have been a few instances where the in- spector has deemed it necessary to warn the producers about minor violations of the law and about careless methods in handling the milk. No violations serious enough to warrant prosecution have been found. I believe that each year dairy farmers are becoming more cognizant of the value of producing milk under sanitary conditions. All farms supplying the city with milk are equipped with sanitary milk rooms, facilities for sterilizing equipment and for the rapid cooling of milk, these conditions being the result of our present system of public health and sanitary education. With the continued cooperation of the milk producers we may expect to be constantly improving the qualities of our milk supply.
The State Department of Agriculture has cooperated with us in the inspection of those dairy farms which are located at too great a distance for it to be practical for us to personally inspect.
There were no outbreaks of contagious diseases traceable to the milk supply as their source during the period covered by this report.
The figures compiled by me indicate that approximately 80.5% of the milk consumed in the city is pasteurized, a gain of approximately 5.0% over the figures for the year 1936. I feel that with the continued education of the public to the values of pasteurization, we will soon be able to report that the entire supply of the city is pasteurized.
Public health nuisances have occupied part of my time, ranging from un- sanitary premises and overflowing cesspools, to the ever bothersome problem of the numerous unsanitary and unsightly dumps to be found in the city. With the aid of labor supplied by the welfare department several of these "nuisance" dumps have been cleaned up and graded. However, there still remains a small portion of the people who refuse to utilize the territory off Bishop Street which has been designated as a city dumping ground, and continue to dump rubbish along our highways. Due to the prevalence of this practice severe action will have to be taken if we expect to eliminate this nuisance problem.
In addition to testing the milk and dairy products supply of the city the laboratory facilities have been used for the routine testing of the city water supply and of those private water supplies in the city which have been brought to our attention. At the present time we do not have the laboratory facilities for a complete chemical analysis of drinking water, accordingly the analytical work has been mostly bacteriological. We have received excellent cooperation
26
ANNUAL REPORT
from the State Department of Public Health so I believe there is no immediate necessity of obtaining such equipment.
In accordance with the State Department of Public Health ordinance of Feb., 1937, I have cooperated with the city Public Works Department in enforc- ing the regulations pertaining to any physical cross connections existing between the public drinking water supply and private water supplies used for industrial work or for fire protection. in all instances where such cross connections exist, provided that the private water supply cannot be approved by the State Depart- ment of Health, either the cross connections must be eliminated or the public water supply must be protected from any possibility of contamination, through the use of a system of double date and check valves, of a type which the State Health Department has approved.
The regulation has mostly effected the manufacturers of the city, and in some instances has resulted in considerable expense to them. We appreciate the cooperative spirit with which they have received the measure.
During the year 1938 we plan to allot extra time to the inspection and enforcement of the regulations pertaining to restaurants, bakeries, and food handling establishments in the city of Attleboro. I believe that certain of our eating establihsments in the city are somewhat lax in so far as sanitary precau- tions are concerned, especially in the matter of adequate sterilization of glasses and of dishes. Although we have had no serious known epidemics traceable to eating establishments, there is always the inherent danger of the spread of in- fectious diseases through this agency. I believe that serious thought should be given to the formation of more rigid laws, and enforcement of them, in regards to the washing and sterilization of all glasses, dishes, and eating utensils which are used in public eating places. Many cities have deemed it necessary to require that all eating and drinking establishments use only single service, paper dishes and cups.
I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the splendid cooperation I have received from my fellow members of the Health Department and all others who have rendered assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. CONGDON, Milk Inspector, Bacteriologist, Authorized Agent.
STATISTICAL REPORT
Laboratory
Milk
Chemical 129
Bacteriological 125
Cream
Chemical. 3
Bacteriological 3
Water
Chemical 1
Bacteriological . 9
1 Milk sample found below legal standard.
DAILY MILK SUPPLY DECEMBER 31, 1937
Number licensed dealers 52
99
Number licensed stores and restaurants .
Number of pasteurizing plants supplying milk in Attleboro 26
27
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of farms supplying milk to Attleboro excluding supplies of follow-
ing, which are under the inspection of State Department of Agriculture:
H. P. Hood & Sons, Whiting Milk Company, Bellows Falls Creamery, New England Dairies .
163
Number quarts of milk consumed in Attleboro. 8103
Number quarts of pasteurized milk consumed. 6536
Number quarts of raw milk consumed 1567
Percentage pasteurized milk consumed. 80.5
Percentage raw milk consumed
19.5
LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED
Milk Licenses
Dealers .
52
Stores and restaurants . 99
Oleomargarine-stores 24
Pasteurizing plants 11
1
INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Dairy farms (producers only) 185
Pasteurizing plants. 126
Milk plants (other than Pasteurizing plants) . 84
Ice Cream plants 17
Bottling plants
2
Factories (cross connections) 38
Nuisances .
31
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSE
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1937. Prevention of diseases and health instruction are important functions of the Health Department.
Tuberculosis clinics are held at Sturdy Hospital every Wednesday from 4-5 P. M. All diagnosed tuberculosis cases are reported to this department, and all active, contact, suspicious and arrested cases are under our supervision.
Tuberculosis is a communicable disease of importance because of its invet- erate character and its effects upon children and young adults. An arrangement with Dr. Smith of the Bristol County Hospital has made it possible for the depart- ment to have patients x-rayed at Bristol County Hospital. Practically all active cases of pulmonary tuberculosis have been hospitalized and x-rayed. X-ray has been advised for the entire family where cases of pulmonary tuberculosis have been reported.
We have had more contagious diseases reported this past year than for several years. A decided increase in scarlet fever cases and a more virulent form of scarlet fever. We have had a total number of one hundred twenty-four scarlet fever cases. The homes have been quarantined and mothers instructed in the technique of home care to prevent the spread of further disease. All cases under quarantine were kept under close supervision and all positive contacts were excluded from school.
Assisting Dr. Battershall and Mrs. Wendell we have examined over four thousand pupils exposed to scarlet fever.
A thorough house-to-house canvass of the whole city has been carried out as a part of our diphtheria prevention program. Diphtheria prevention clinics were held at Sturdy Hospital each Saturday morning, during October and Novem- ber. Also at Finberg and Washington Street Schools during October at which Dr. Battershall and Mrs. Wendell assisted.
Carbonated beverages
28
ANNUAL REPORT
Transportation to and from clinics was provided for mothers and children. We have had just one case of diphtheria reported; free from clinical symptoms, this child proved to be a diphtheria carrier.
Vaccination clinics were held at Sturdy Hospital during September for those children whose families were financially unable to afford a private physician ; those children were vaccinated by Dr. Battershall.
Attleboro Health Camp finished its 15th year of service this third season as a girls' camp. The object of the health camp may be summarized as an effort to select a group of thirty-eight children most in need of camp treatment.
The selection of children has been based entirely upon those as definitely under weight and under nourished as compared with the standard weight for normal children. Physical defects such as defective teeth and diseased tonsils are cared for in the spring to enable the children to gain the benefits of camp life unhampered by these retardments to healthy and happy childhood. Twelve girls had tonsils and adenoids removed, eighteen had dental defects corrected. Grateful acknowledgment is expressed to local physicians and dentists who make this work possible. Thanks to the Lions Club these girls also were given a year's membership to the Y. M. C. A.
I wish to acknowledge with appreciation the splendid cooperation of the school physician, the school nurse, District Nurses, Family Welfare Association, Board of Public Welfare, Lions Club, Doctors Club and Superintendent of Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
STATISTICAL REPORT 9
Number of Pulmonary Tuberculosis cases reported in 1937
Number of Tuberculosis cases other forms. 2
Number of home visits to Tuberculosis cases and contacts 611
Number of deaths from Tuberculosis 9
Number of Diphtheria prevention home visits 288
Number of contagious disease visits. 389
Number of home visits to Health Camp girls
214
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) Mary E. McMahon, R. N., Health Department Nurse.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC
1937
New Schicks
0
Re-schicks.
1
Negative
1
Positive. 0
Not Read
0
Total number of treatments
482
Total number immunized with toxoid.
163
Under 1 year immunized . 37
Number of cases 1-2 years immunized
12
New cases 5-6 years
10
New Cases 4-5 years
11
New cases 2-4 years
45
New cases under 6 years
145
New cases under 2 years.
79
Under 1 year .
37
1-2 years
42
2-3 years
28
3-4 years
17 11
5-6 years.
10
6-10 years.
13
10-14 years.
5
Over 14 years
0
Percent under 6 years
S8.96
1-5 years
29
ANNUAL REPORT
Bliss School Attleboro, Mass. January 13, 1938
Dr. Ralph P. Kent Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Kent:
We herewith submit the report of the Dentists and Dental Hygienist for the months of September, October, November and December.
The policy of the dental clinic is the one. used by Forsyth Dental Infirmary in Boston which is approved and recommended by leading dental authorities. It is a policy of prevention. Dental repair work is done only for pupils in the first three grades whose parents cannot have the work done by the family dentist. Toothaches may be given emergency treatment for all pupils.
In October and November a very thorough survey was made in the eight grades all over the city and the junior class in the High School. The examination was made by the dentists with the hygienist assisting. The statistics following will show the extent of the work necessary. Notices were sent home notifying the parents of existing dental defects. The pupils not eligible for dental work at the clinic were advised to go to their family dentist and when the work is com- pleted to his satisfaction, we have asked that he send a note or certificate advising us that all dental work necessary at the time has been done. We appreciate these notes for they are the only means we have of checking on the pupils who do visit their dentist.
The Dentists work in the morning at the Bliss School. Pupils who are eligible for work in the clinic are sent from the various schools to him. These pupils have all necessary work taken care of. This may be fillings or extractions of the temporary teeth or of the permanent ones. The four sixth year molars, two on the upper and two on the lower jaw are the teeth around which preventive dentistry is based. These teeth erupt without the loss of a baby tooth at the age of from five to seven years and are often thought by parents to be first teeth. It is necessary that these teeth be retained in a healthy condition in order to provide chewing surface for the child while the first teeth are lost and the second ones are erupting. These teeth must be kept in good condition also in order that all the second teeth, thirty-two of them, will be in proper relationship to one an- other.
It is quite alarming the number of these teeth in the first three grades that are beyond repair. The lack of care of these teeth in the past was noticeable in the upper grades where a large number of second teeth have been lost or were found beyond repair. Therefore, the preservation of these sixth year molars is our aim in the work of the clinic. The duties of the Dental Hygienist are many. She assists the dentist in all operations, charts the mouths, send home notices, follow-up these notices with calls in the classrooms, and keeps the records of the clinic. The education of the pupils in the care of the mouth, the correct foods and regular visits to the dentist is her real purpose. This is the part of her work that will tend to eliminate the necessity of such extensive work in the future. Instructions thus far have been limited due to the time necessary to organize the clinic. Talks have been given in some grades on the necessity of visiting the dentist, the care of the mouth and the proper type of brush to use. In connection with this eleven hundred toothbrushes were sold.
We wish to thank at this time, Dr. Walter Briggs, Mr. Joseph Finberg, Mr. Lewis Fales, Mrs. Wendell, the principals and teachers for their very helpful cooperation.
Yours truly, (Signed) Dr. Anderson S. Briggs W. E. Turner, D. D. S. Barbara H. Greene, D. H.
30
ANNUAL REPORT
Following are the statistics:
Examination of the Grammar Schools
Total number of pupils examined. 2743
Total number of pupils with defective teeth 2613 or 95%
Total number of pupils with mouths in good condition 130
Total number of cavities. 19061
Average number per child. 6.9
Number of permanent teeth lost before examination. 542
Number of teeth filled before examination showing previous dental
care . 509
Examination of the Junior Class in High School
Total number examined. 170
Total number with defective teeth. 160 or 94%
Total number with mouths in good condition . 10
Total number cavities 1067
Average per pupil . 6.2 plus
Number of permanent teeth lost before examination. 224
Number of pupils having had previous regular dental care 114
Clinic Work for November and December
Number of sittings
168
Number of new patients
64
Number of old patients
101
Number of temporary teeth filled
100
Number of permanent teeth filled .
192
Number of temporary teeth extracted.
73
Number of permanent teeth extracted. 10
Number of emergency treatments. 18
NUISANCES INVESTIGATED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Unsanitary premises
9
Unsanitary plumbing
2
Dumping of rubbish.
16
Overflowing cesspools.
9
Keeping of swine
6
Keeping of hens
1
Lack of water
4
Lack of lights
1
Referred to other departments.
8
Unjustifiable
2
.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECEIPTS
$ 226.00
City of Taunton
24.00
Town of North Attleboro
6.00
Total.
$ 256.00
BILLS PAYABLE TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Town of Seekonk.
3.00
State reimbursement, state settled cases
400.96
State Subsidy, Attleboro settled cases
1,703.48
County of Bristol, dog bite cases
394.16
Total
$2,501.60
.
License Fees
31
ANNUAL REPORT
REFUND FROM DENTAL CLINIC .$ 34.35
Received from dental hygienist.
1937 EXPENDITURES
Health Officer
$ 1,000.00
Inspector of Milk
1,444.78
Inspector of Slaughter
300.00
Inspector of Animals
500.00
Tuberculosis Nurse.
1,600.00
Care of Dump
730.33
Garbage Collection
1,400.00
Clerk
939.00
Rent
148.75
Light
8.99
Phone
60.24
Laboratory Maintenance
249.36
Dump Material.
3.80
Use of Auto-Maintenance
483.42
Tuberculosis and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics
121.22
Physicians' Fees
1,800.61
Inspector of Plumbing
190.00
Office Supplies
113.65
Incidentals
20.15
Fees to Other Cities and Towns
Quarantine and Contagious Disease Hospitals
1,095.22
Nursing and Care at Home
89.90
Dental Clinic.
1,596.01
State Sanatoria.
4,118.30
Total
$18,013.73
ESTIMATED APPROPRIATIONS-1938
Salary of Health Officer
$ 1,000.00
Salary of Inspector of Milk
1,500.00
Salary of Inspector of Slaughter
300.00
Salary of Inspector of Animals
500.00
Salary of Tuberculosis Nurse
1,600.00
Care of Dump-Labor
730.33
Garbage Disposal.
1,400.00
Clerical.
939.00
$ 7,969.33
State Sanatoria
5,800.00
5,800.00
Rent
150.00
Light.
25.00
Phone
65.00
Laboratory Maintenance
125.00
Care of Dump-Material.
10.00
Auto Maintenance.
555.00
T. B. and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics .
110.00
Quarantine and Contagious Disease Hospitals
1,000.00
Nursing and Care at Home.
85.00
Physicians' Fees
1,500.00
Fees to Other Cities and Towns
150.00
Inspector of Plumbing.
200.00
Office Supplies
75.00
Incidentals.
20.00
4,070.00
Dental Clinic
1,600.00
1,600.00
Totals
$19,439.33
32
ANNUAL REPORT
Diphtheria
Cases .
1
Deaths
3
2 3 4
152352 11
Cases
10
666243
635 4
Deaths
Cases
1
2
2
Deaths
Mumps
Cases
3
14
3
3
12
4
15
10
22
22
. 49
.19
Chicken Pox
Cases
27
9
1
1 2
3
2
15
8
6
Deaths
Cases
2
19
15
30
14
7
3 6
10
German Measles
Cases
Deaths
3
3
3
1
2
2
1
Dog Bite
Cases
Deaths
1 3
6 4
10
2
7
6
3
6
2
2222
1
1
8
2
2
7
Whooping Cough
Cases
Deaths
4
15
10
32
=
16
1 2
2
Cases
Deaths
1
1
1 1
1
Typhoid Fever
Cases
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
Cases
Deaths
1
Infantile Paralysis
Cases
Deaths
Measles
Cases
26
68
100
49
2
3
1
2
1
1
TOTALS ... 263
January . .
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July
August.
September
October .
November. December . .
1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 2 2 0 99 1 37 12 60 0 15 0 124 0 71 1
Non-resident cases pulmonary tuberculosis Non-resident deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Septic Sore Throat
Tetanus
Cases
1
Deaths
1
Deaths
1
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES REPORTED 1937 DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 1937
Deaths
0
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Other forms of Tuberculosis
1 3
5 1 58 32
0 0
Deaths
0 108
Scarlet Fever
Deaths
15
1
2
Lobar Pneumonia
Cases
Deaths
10 00 00
1
6
.
.
1
5 1
5
2
12
DEATHS BY AGES
Total
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 years
60-70 years
70-80 years.
Over 80 years
.
.
January
24
11
13
1
1
1
3
4
5
6
3
February .
24
9
15
3
1
1
3
3
5
3
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