USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1938 > Part 3
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He has done considerable work in addition to his routine inspection and all has been most satisfactory.
Dr. Frederick L. Briggs has carried on his work of inspection of animals and inspector of slaughtering in a most efficient manner and deserves considerable credit for so doing.
45
ANNUAL REPORT
Our Inspector of Plumbing, Mr. Arthur B. Read, has turned in a record of eighty-six inspections and there is an increase in the amount of work done by his department.
Miss May E. McMahon, our Health Nurse, has done the usual amount of work in canvassing homes for the Diphtheria Clinic and visiting homes when there are new-born infants for the purpose of informing them about the clinic and the importance of the inoculation.
A large number of cases of tuberculosis contacts have been X-rayed, and the necessary information given to the families of tuberculosis patients.
It is our opinion that all tuberculosis contacts should be X-rayed and this is being carried out whenever possible.
Our health nurse has also worked in conjunction with the school nurse, Mrs. Wendell, and the school physician, Dr. J. W. Battershall, in visiting school when contagious diseases are suspected. Also in holding diphtheria clinics at the various schools.
Mrs. Mildred H. Shaw is in charge of the office work. We believe our records of contagious diseases and accuracy of death reports are in excellent condition.
It is our aim to keep this up to the minute also to promptly respond to all complaints of any kind concerning the health of the community.
As usual, we have the continued complaints on dumping in undesignated places. We have been continually on the watch but have been unable to ap- prehend but one person violating our wishes.
Our school Dental Clinic has done a really vast amount of work and within the past year we have undertaken the work of the parochial school. This of course has added to its total amount of work; however, it has been well taken care of without any additional help or equipment and very little added expense.
Recommendations:
We most highly recommend municipal collection of rubbish.
We recommend an increased use of pasteurized milk.
We recommend an increase in the salaries of our clerk and inspector.
In lieu of municipal collection of rubbish, I would suggest designation of certain areas for dumping in various sections of the city which may be used for the convenience of our citizens.
Conclusion: The affairs of the department have gone along very smoothly. We enjoyed the cooperation of the Mayor, the City Council, the Committee on Health, the Camp Organization, my fellow practitioners, the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Dr. Garnet Smith of the Bristol County Hospital, Dr. Conro, the Dentists of the City, and all members of the Health Department and are most grateful for the same. The detailed report is appended.
Respectfully yours,
Ralph P. Kent, Health Officer.
46
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR BACTERIOLOGIST AND AUTHORIZED AGENT
December 31, 1938
Dr. Ralph P. Kent Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Kent:
Hereby is presented my annual report as Milk Inspector, Bacteriologist and Authorized Agent for the year ending December 31, 193S.
There were 438 samples of milk collected and examined chemically, of these, 27 were found to be below the legal standard. In every case, after the first warning, these conditions were remedied.
There were 355 samples of milk collected and examined bacteriologically, of which 25 samples did not conform with the standards. A warning letter was sent to the persons responsible for these high bacteria counts and in every case, these conditions were remedied upon the subsequent sample collected.
There were 23 samples of Grade A milk collected, two of which had bac- teriological counts over the standard and two of which were below the standard chemically. Upon the first notification, the parties concerned adjusted the matter.
There were 59 samples obtained of raw milk intended to be pasteurized. Of these, five were below the standard in butter fat and three had a higher count than 400,000 per c. c. of milk.
There were 168 samples of pasteurized milk obtained of which three samples were below the legal standard in total solids, three below the legal standard in butter fat and two did not conform to the legal bacteriological standard of 40,000 per c. c. of milk. On subsequent analysis the dealer in every case, had adjusted his difficulty.
There were 233 samples of raw milk analyzed of which five were below standard in butter fat, six below standard in total solids and twelve did not conform to the bacteriological standard of 400,000 per c. c. On the average, the raw milk was good bacteriologically.
There were 22 samples of cream collected, all of which conformed to the legal standards.
There were six samples of ice cream analyzed, of which all samples conformed to the chemical and bacteriological standards.
There were 23 pasteurizing plants inspected, 190 inspections being made. In two plants, the milk was not held at 142 degrees F. for a half hour. Both plants adjusted the difficulty-one plant had to repair the recording thermometer and the other had to replace the mercury thermometer. in four plants, the pasteurizers were dirty. in four plants the sanitary pipings were not properly cleaned. There were six plants with dirty coolers. In two plants, the capping machines were dirty. Three plants were given a thorough sanitary inspection because of high bacteria counts. All of these conditions were adjusted.
There were 42 raw milk plants inspected, 320 inspections being made. The Department has made a rigid sanitary drive on these plants. There were many adjustments made. Two plants were ordered to store only milk in cooling tanks. Twelve plants were given a thorough inspection because of high bacteria counts. In general, the high bacteria counts were due to high storage tempera-
47
ANNUAL REPORT
ture, unsanitary utensils and milking machines and general carelessness when milking. Five plants were notified for unsanitary utensils. Two were notified for using stray bottles.
The four ice cream plants in Attleboro were inspected four times each. One plant was warned for having an unsanitary freezer. This condition was promptly rectified. On the whole, ice cream manufactured in Attleboro is a very good product.
There were twelve samples of water collected and tested. Only one sample showed any signs of contamination. This sample was taken from a well recently dug and showed soil contamination-the sample was condemned because of its potential danger, but the subsequent sample was found to be free from contamina- tion. The City water supply has been tested at different times and has been found safe.
There were over one hundred farms inspected, 563 inspections being made. Many of the producers were warned against using wool-dust and manure for the gutters. Fighteen were warned for unsanitary conditions in the barn, twenty for unsanitary conditions of milk utensils. Fighty-one milk violation letters were sent out by this Department, however, none of the conditions war- ranted prosecution. The producers have cooperated with the Health Depart- ment, and in every case, they have adjusted their difficulty with one exception. The one exception is no longer selling milk in the Attleboro market.
Ten producers were warned for having dirty cows, ten were warned for dirty water in cooling tanks, twenty-two were warned for not cooling milk properly. A rigid inspection of milking machines was carried on during the past year.
Sixty-eight nuisances have been investigated. Twenty-six letters were sent out because of violations of the Health Laws of this City. Most of these condi- tions were promptly adjusted after notification by this Department. There were twenty warning letters sent by this Department to persons dumping rubbish on private property. The department has appealed to the people through the newspaper to stop this atrocious practice, but the illegal dumping has continued and this Department will have to take drastic action and prosecute the violators .
There were forty inspections of food markets. There were five warnings sent out from the Department for exposed food, one warning for lack of proper refrigeration, one warning for dirty chest and show-case covers. These conditions were remedied.
There were twenty-five restaurants inspected, eighty inspections being made. There were 42 score cards filled out for 21 restaurants, eight of these scores were below standard. Two restaurants scored below standard twice, the remaining six cleaned up and upon a subsequent inspection, the conditions were found to have been adjusted.
On November 9, 1938, the Department sent to every restaurant owner in the City a list of minimum requirements. Upon future inspections, the establish- ments abiding by these regulations will receive a placard which has the approval of the Health I epartment printed on it. These placards are subject to removal when the Department decides that the requirements are not being met. There were four letters sent for exposed food, three sent for unsanitary conditions of establishment. There were two suspected hamburg steaks seized by the Depart- ment, one of these samples proved to be in a state of decomposition. Most of the restaurants in this City are in fair condition.
Summary
For 1939, the Health Department will make more restaurant inspections. These inspections will be helped along by making bacteriological analysis of glasses and dishes. This will be done by following the new standard methods
48
ANNUAL REPORT
of bacteriological analysis of glasses and dishes recently issued by the American Public Health Department.
During 1939, the Department will use the Phosphatase Test to ascertain conclusively between raw and pasteurized milk, to determine improperly pasteur- i zed milk and cream, and to stop the practice that some dealers have of mixing pasteurized cream with raw skimmed milk.
The Department would like to have all bakery wagons register at the Health Department so that each wagon can be subject to a thorough inspection at any time.
Meat markets will continue to be inspected for sanitary conditions of both the establishment and the food.
Dairy farms and plants will be rigidly inspected as usual.
STATISTICAL REPORT
Laboratory
Total number of milk samples collected‘ 446
Chemical analysis . 438
Bacteriological analysis. 355
Number of samples above standard.
394
Number of samples below standard. 52
Number of samples above 12% solids. 425
Number of samples below 12% solids. 13
Number of samples above bacteriological standard .330
Number of samples below bacteriological standard.
25
Number of samples above 3.35% butter fat.
424
Number of samples below 3.35% butter fat. 14
Total number of cream samples collected 22
Chemical analysis . 22
Bacteriological analysis .
15
*All samples above standard
Total number of water samples collected.
12
Chemical analysis . 2
Bacteriological analysis. 12
* All subsequent samples safe
Total number of food samples collected. 2
Chemical analysis . 2
Bacteriological analysis . 2
*One sample in state of decomposition .
Total number of butter samples collected 2
Chemical analysis .
2
Bacteriological analysis *All samples above standard
2
Total number of ice cream samples collected. 4
Chemical analysis . 4
Bacteriological analysis. . 4
*All samples above standard
49
ANNUAL REPORT
DAILY MILK SUPPLY DECEMBER 31, 1938
Number of licensed dealers . 65
Number of licensed stores and restaurants. 175
Number of pasteurizing plants supplying milk in Attleboro. 23
Number of farms supplying milk to Attleboro excluding those inspected by Massachusetts Inspectors . 145
Number of producer-dealers supplying milk in Attleboro . 65
Number of quarts of milk consumed in Attleboro per day. 8027
Number of quarts of pasteurized milk consumed in Attleboro per day 6297
Number of quarts of raw milk consumed in Attleboro per day. 1730
Percent of pasteurized milk consumed. 77.2
Percentage of raw milk consumed.
22.8
LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED
Milk Licenses
Dealers .
65
Restaurants and stores. 174
Oleomargarine-Stores. 23
Pasteurizing plants. 10
1
INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS
Farms. .563
Dealers and Producer-dealers 510
Ice cream plants 16
Bottling plant.
Nuisances. 4
69
Restaurants 60
Bakeries
4
Markets.
40
Respectfully submitted,
Robert C. Perriello, Milk Inspector Bacteriologist Authorized Agent
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT NURSE
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938 We have had fewer contagious diseases reported this year than for severa years. The homes have been quarantined and mothers instructed in the technique of home care to prevent further spread of the disease. We have had no diphtheria for several years. Scarlet fever was also less prevalent and of milder form than in any recent year.
Each case of pulmonary tuberculosis is reported to this department and investigated. Hospitalization is advised in the interest of the patient's welfare, and also for the protection of members of the family, and of the community. All contact and discharged cases are visited regularly. We offer X-ray to each member in the home. Thanks to Dr. Garnet Smith, Superintendent of Bristol County Hospital, X-ray service is offered free and has been of great value in discovery and early diagnosis of this dread disease. Weekly clinics are held at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
I have also assisted at the Chadwick and County Clinics held in the schools. With tuberculosis now treated surgically we have a lower death rate from this cause.
Carbonated beverages
50
ANNUAL REPORT
Diphtheria prevention clinics are held at Sturdy Memorial Hospital each Saturday morning during October and November. Clinics are also held in the schools in the outlying districts. Dr. Battershall, School Physician, and Mrs. Wendell, School Nurse, assist at these clinics. House to house canvass throughout the City is made by me and mothers are urged to have their infants immunized. Transportation is provided for mothers and children to and from all clinics.
Vaccination clinics were held at Sturdy Memorial Hospital during September. Children from families unable to afford a private physician were vaccinated by Dr. Battershall.
The Attleboro Health Camp finished its sixteenth year of service. This was the fourth season for girls and the camp is now known as the Attleboro Girls' Health Camp. The children selected from camp are those definitely underweight, malnourished, and from needy homes. Physical defects, namely diseased tonsils and defective teeth, are corrected. Fight children had tonsils and adenoids removed. Twelve children had dental defects corrected through the School Dental Clinic, thanks to Dr. W. E. Turner, Dr. Anderson S. Briggs, and Miss Barbara Greene, Dental Hygienist. Through the courtesy of the Lions Club the girls attending camp were given a year's membership to the Y. M. C. A.
I wish to acknowledge the splendid cooperation of the School Physician, the School Nurse, the District Nurses, the Family Welfare Association the Board of Public Welfare, the Lions Club, the Doctors' Club and the Superin- tendent of Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
Statistical Report
Number of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases reported in 1938. 11
Number of Tuberculosis Cases other forms . 1
Number of home visits to Tuberculosis cases and contacts. 485
Number of deaths from Tuberculosis. . 4
Number of diphtheria prevention home visits 197
Number of contagious diseases visits 271
Number of home visits to Health Camp girls.
.302
Respectfully submitted,
Mary McMahon.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC
New Schicks.
0
Re-schicks. 0
Total number of treatments 366
Total number immunized with toxoid. 122
Under 1 year immunized. . 29
Number of cases 1-2 years immunized.
34
New cases 5-6 years 7
New Cases 4-5 years.
10
New Cases 2-4 years. 30
New cases under 6 years 110
Under 1 year
34
2-3 years.
16
3-4 years.
14
4-5 years.
10
5-6 years.
7
6-10 years
10
10-14 years. 2
Over 14 years. 0
Per cent under 6 years. .$0.16
1-2 years.
51
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DENTAL CLINIC
Bliss School Attleboro, Mass. January 6, 1939.
Dr. Ralph P. Kent Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Kent:
We herewith submit the report of the Dentists and Dental Hygienist for the school year of 1938.
The year 1938, was the first full year for the school dental program and clinic. We have accomplished much in actual repair work on teeth for pupils in the first three grades and through our educational program we have made pupils in all grades tooth-conscious.
The statistics which follow give an exact account of the practical part of our program. This work is done for pupils in the first three grades only because our program is one of prevention. The clinic operates each school day morning at the Eliss School. Cur patients are pupils from all schools.
Our method of records is one that is verified by the classroom teacher who as a rule knows the family conditions quite well. it consists of a questionnaire which is sent home first and only after these questions are answered and found satisfactory, is an application for work sent home. This is done because our work is necessarily limited to pupils from indigent families only.
This year on our recommendation, the P. T. A. of Fliss School sponsored the treating and filling of a central tooth for a girl of nine years from a school in another district. This work was done by the family dentist. A similar thing is being done for another child hurt in school athletics. These pupils are both from indigent families. The educational program has been carried out throughout all the grades except in High School. Moving pictures, with instruction by the Hygienist were shown in all schools. Individual instruction was given each pupil by her as she inspected his teeth. This might have been on the proper care of teeth, diet, or the necessity of visiting the dentist. In connection with this work, the hygienist sold sixteen hundred toothbrushes.
STATISTICAL REPORT OF DENTAL CLINIC
Number of sittings
1027
Number of new patients 311
Number of old patients. 716
Number of patients completed at family dentist. 145
Number of patients completed at clinic.
190
Number of temporary teeth filled. S10
Number of permanent teeth filled 1161
Number of temporary teeth extracted. 329
Number of permanent teeth extracted. 68
Number of emergencies 81
Number of days of clinic work.
144
Report of Dental Hygienist
Number of cleanings. 122
Number of school visits. 426
Number of classroom visits 349
Number of home visits.
9
Number of movie showings
40
Number of inspections. 1163
Number of children who visited family dentist. 692
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Although home visting is really not a part of her work, the Hygienist did visit some homes at the request of the parent or teacher.
Lectures to the P. T. A. of Farmer School and Bliss School were given by her on our work. The pupils of one school put on an original Puppet show under the direction and supervision of the Hygienist. We took in to the Massachusetts Dental Convention in Boston, two exhibits from our schools. This year in addition to the public schools of the city, we have added the parochial school to our list.
We feel sure that a great benefit has been derived from our work. An improvement in school work has been noticed by teachers in some youngsters who had extensive dentistry done, such as removal of a number of abscessed teeth. While inspecting this fall, the appearance and expression of certain others seemed healthier and happier to us. This improvement is attributed to our work.
We wish to thank the dentists for their very kind cooperation in sending Dental Certificates to us for children having work done in their private offices.
We also wish to thank at this time, Dr. Walter Briggs, Mr. Joseph Finberg, Mr. Lewis Fales, Mrs. Wendell, the principals and teachers and all who assisted us in any way for their friendly cooperation.
Yours truly, Signed W. E. Turner, D. D. S. Anderson S. Briggs, D. M. D. Barbara H. Greene, D. H.
ATTLEBORO HEALTH CAMP 1938
Attleboro Health Camp opened its 16th season this year on July 5th. 35 girls from 7-14 years of age arrived to spend the 6 weeks' period.
The average age was a little over 10 years. The average gain in weight was 6 lbs. The greatest individual gain was 12 lbs. Four counsellors and two assist- ants guided the children in the many camp activities, such as posture improvement, handcrafts, swimming, folk-dancing, dramatics, parties, picnics and camp fires.
The camp routine was the same as in previous years.
It seemed as though the children made noteworthy physical gains and all seemed to have enjoyed their camp experience.
At the close of camp, handcrafts and pictures of activities were displayed in the window of the Attleboro Gas Co.
Many friends of camp and Lions Club members contributed to the success and happiness at camp. Thanks are extended to them and to the personnel who were efficient and conscientious and displayed the finest of spirit throughout the six weeks. A week of rain was most trying to all.
Thanks are also extended to Miss Elizabeth Allen who took care of all the publicity and also arranged the exhibit.
It is to be regretted that the recreation hall given by the City in 1936 and erected on the camp grounds by the Lions Club was demolished by the wind of September 21st.
Respectfully submitted,
(signed) Lois E. Wilmarth, R. N., Supervisor.
53
ANNUAL REPORT
EXPENDITURES-1938
Health Officer
$ 1,000.00
Inspector of Milk
1,332.07
Contagious Disease Nurse
1,600.00
Inspector of Animals.
500.00
Inspector of Slaughter
300.00
Care of Dump
730.33
Clerk
939.00
Garbage Collection
1,400.00
Dental Clinic
1,541.43
State Sanatoria
4,774.80
Rent.
150.00
Light.
15.66
Phone.
66.54
Laboratory Maintenance.
151.21
Materials-Care of Dump.
4.57
Use of Auto-Maintenance
528.10
Tuberculosis and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics.
108.61
Physicians Fees.
454.60
Fees to Other Cities and Towns.
165.96
Inspector of Plumbing
243.50
Office Supplies
70.21
Incidentals.
21.68
Contagious Disease Hospitals.
414.00
Nursing and Care at Home
20.68
Total
$16,532.35
ESTIMATED APPROPRIATIONS 1939
Health Officer
$ 1,000.00
Inspector of Milk.
1,650.00
Inspector of Slaughter
300.00
Inspector of Animals.
500.00
Contagious Disease Nurse
1,600.00
Care of Dump
728.00
Clerk.
1,092.00
Garbage Collected.
1,400.00
State Sanatoria
5,000.00
Dental Clinic
2,120.00
Rent.
150.00
Light.
15.00
Phone
66.00
Laboratory Maintenance .
125.00
Materials-Care of Dump.
15.00
54
ANNUAL REPORT
Use of Auto-Maintenance
526.00
Tuberculosis and Diphtheria Prevention Clinics 110.00
Contagious Disease Hospitals 415.00
Nursing and Care at Home.
35.00
Physicians Fees
800.00
Fees Other Cities and Towns
170.00
Inspector of Plumbing
215.00
Office Supplies
75.00
Incidentals
25.00
Total
$18,132.00
NUISANCES INVESTIGATED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Insanitary premises.
13
Keeping of fowl
2
Dumping of rubbish 22
Overflowing cesspools
5
Keeping of swine
9
Keeping of horse.
1
Disposal of sewage on land.
2
Unjustifiable cause
5
License Fees
Fees collected for 1938 .$ 227.50
Bills Payable to Health Department
State subsidy, Attleboro settled cases $2,003.59
State reimbursement, State settled cases. 146.40
CASES OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Measles
Other Forms
Tuberculosis
Cough
Whooping
Fever
Undulant
Measles
German
Meningitis
Influenzal
Fneumonia
Lobar
Bite
Dog
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary
Fever
Scarlet
Mumps
Pox
Chicken
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths.
Cases
Deaths
Cases
Deaths
Cases.
Deaths
Cases.
1
2
2
4
8
51
16
January . .
1 1 1
1 3
4
1
3
3
8
29
February .
1
3
8
9
4
March
2
2
1
7
5
1
April.
1522
1
June. ..
1
1
4
3
8
1
1
1
July .
1
3
5
--
3
1
August.
12
2
September.
1
3
11
1
October .
1
2
2
5
November
25
1
2
3
1
4
2
14
December .
13
2
16
2
2 1 2 2 18 30 1
43 20 59
27
106
75
55
TOTALS
24X7
1
1
6
1
4
2
May. .
2
3
22
1
2
00
ANNUAL REPORT
9
22
3
1
3
27
2212
56
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
28
14
14
2
2
1
1
2
9
7
4
February
29
13
16
2
1
1
2
4
3
7
7
2
March
29
13
16
1
1
1
1
1
8
10
6
April.
22
9
13
1
1
1
7
4
2
6
May ...
23
8
15
1
1
2
1
4
4
6
4
June.
25
9
16
1
3
1
4
5
7
4
July .
20
9
=
2
3
3
1
5
1
2
3
August.
27
14
13
2
1
1
1
1
6
5
7
3
September
15
=
4
1
1
1
1
4
1
5
1
October.
23
15
8
3
1
1
5
3
7
3
November
23
00
17
2
3
1
3
1
2
2
3
2
4
December
30
13
17
1
2
2
2
1
4
2
13
3
TOTALS.
294
134
160
17
1
0
1
2
5
1
00
17
12
17
43
52
75
43
ANNUAL REPORT
.
·
-
-
57
ANNUAL REPORT
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Total.
Male. .
Female.
1-2 days. Under 1 day.
2-3 days. .
3 days-1 week. .
1-2 weeks.
2-3 weeks.
3-4 weeks.
1-2 months
2-3 months .
3-6 months .
6-9 months .
9-12 months . . .
January. 2111
1
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