USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1959 > Part 5
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Cost of books and supplies per pupil $ 11. 26
Senior High School
Total expended including High School share of general expenses $ 282, 294. 47 Average membership, September 1958-June 1959 775 Cost per pupil $ 364. 25 Cost of books and supplies per pupil $ 20.54
59 ..
Annual Report
Report of the School Committee continued-
Junior High School
Total expended including Junior High School's share of
general expenses
$259,108. 81
Average membership, September 1958-June 1959
o . .. 0 1150 Cost per pupil
$ 225. 31
Cost of books and supplies per pupil
$ 9. 43
Elementary Schools
Total expended including elementary schools' share
of general expenses
$ 754,874. 27 2673
Average membership, September 1958-June 1959 Cost per pupil
$ 282. 41
Cost of books and supplies per pupil
$ 9. 36
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR 1959
To His Honor the Mayor and the Municipal Council
Gentlemen:
The work load in the office of the City Solicitor is steadily increasing. The High School Site, the Balfour Industrial Site, Zoning Board of Appeal cases, the Reservoir Site, all have had extensive legal matters involved in them. There will be many court appearances on land damage cases especially from the High School Site. There are approximately fifteen cases mostly land damage cases now pending in the courts.
It is becoming increasingly more important that an office, library, and some stenographic assistance, be given the Solicitor in City Hall.
The time consumed in handling legal matters for the City is increasing rapidly and will soon reach a point where the Solicitor's job will become a full time job. The salary being paid the Solicitor is not at all commensurate with the time required. and the amount of work involved.
I hope these recommendations will receive consideration in the near future.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin R. McKay City Solicitor
60.
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O
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Annual Report
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1959
To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council City of Attleboro, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Health Department herewith presents for your examination and approval its 45th annual report for the year ending December 31, 1959.
Favorable health conditions prevailed generally in our community during the past year, and our population on the whole enjoyed a good state of health.
The number of live Attleboro births during 1959 was 644 (352 males and 292 females), marking an increase of 37 over the preceding year's baby crop and re- flecting the protracted baby boom experienced in the United States since the close of World War II. Of our total, 508 were born at Sturdy Hospital, 134 in hospitals outside the city, and two were home deliveries. Seven hundred and sixty- seven more babies (371 males and 396 females) were born in this city to parents having residences in other communities. In compliance with state law, our department paid for the hospital care of three premature infants whose parents were unable to meet the expense due to the extended hospitalization required.
General mortality fell slightly in 1959, with 271 deaths recorded as compared to 294 the previous year. The total included eight stillbirths and 68 residents who died out of the city. Of the total, 148 were males and 123 females. Seventy-two percent of all the deaths occurred among the over 60 age group and 55% were per - sons 70 years of age and older - reflecting nation-wide, long-term gains in longe- vity brought about by advances in medicine and public health and the rise in living standards. Predominating causes of these deaths were the same as in all recent prior years, namely: Diseases of the Heart, Can cer and Cerebral Hemorrhage. These three leading causes totaled 178 deaths or over 65% of all deaths in our city. Seven accidental deaths occurred during 1959, an increase of two over the toll re - corded in 1958. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for one half of these, and gun- shot wounds, drowning and poisoning were each responsible for one fatality.
The year 1959, so far as communicable diseases was concerned, was again a relatively mild one. The Health Department received reports of 529 cases as compared with 729 the previous year. Two hundred and thirty-one cases of Ger - man Measles and 110 cases of Chicken Pox accounted for most of the total, with Dog Bites (85 cases), Scarlet Fever (48 cases) and Measles (25 cases) providing the next highest totals. The year's experience in this category, however, was adversely affected by the report of 5 cases of poliomyelitis, 3 paralytic and 2 non- paralytic. Three of the cases were recorded with the sad notation that the young- sters had not received the necessary dosages of polio vaccine recommended for protection against the disease. And this despite the Health Department's promotion of the polio vaccine program at free clinics conducted in each of the five years since
61.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
the discovery of the Salk vaccine. At three clinics sponsored in 1959 prior to the polio season, more than 1100 youngsters received protective inoculations against the disease. More clinics will be held in 1960, and it is hoped that parents of un- inoculated children will take advantage of the available facilities and services for immunization of their children.
Our Health Nurse has kept close watch on all communicable disease cases reported to the department, and when the need was indicated she made home visits to arrange for care and hospitalization and to give instruction regarding isolation and quarantine regulations and precautions to be observed. Careful and constant supervision and follow-up of all tuberculosis cases and contacts were an important part of her public health activities. Also, she provided nursing follow-up for the health programs at St. John and St. Joseph parochial schools, where all youngsters were weighed and measured and given the Patch test for tuberculosis.
In compliance with state regulations, the department licenses seven Day Care Agencies in the city after inspection and follow-up visits by the Health Nurse.
Biologic and culture outfits obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were distributed to local physicians. These are available at Sturdy Hospital, where our Health Nurse keeps a close check on supply and demand.
Our Health Agent has been busy on many fronts during the year. The continued expansion of housing developments in unsewered areas of our city required the Agent to give more detailed consideration to proposed layouts where soil conditions are not optimum for the use of individual sewage systems. On other sanitation fronts, the Agent conducted periodic field and laboratory examination of our city's milk and water supplies, inspected all food handling establishments, over-night cabins and trailer camps, convalescent homes and homes for the aged, markets, ice cream and soft drink manufacturing plants and other establishments affecting the health of the citizens. In addition, all health nuisances brought to the attention of the de- partment were investigated. The quality of our milk and cream was found to be generally high, and our city's water supply continues to be of excellent quality. Routine examinations of the local eating and drinking establishments revealed a majority meeting sanitary standards. A Better Food Handling Course conducted by the Agent and attended by 450 local food handlers won high praise from State Health Department officials. Wherever health nuisances were determined to exist, they were in most cases promptly abated.
Our Dental Clinic, in addition to routine service of the annual survey and classi- fication of teeth of 3334 public and parochial school children of the first six grades, looked after the dental health of the children of these grades whose parents were un- able to provide private dental care for them. Of a total of 2257 referrals of children requiring early dental care, 677 have applied for treatment at the clinic for the 1959- 1960 school year. With the clinic operating on a daily, morning schedule, the in- creasing number of applicants is giving rise to the problem of how best to handle such a heavy case load.
62.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
The Tufts University School of Dental Medicine continued its project in dental health among the city's school children. Purpose of the project is to determine the effectiveness of a tooth brushing program in preventing dental decay.
Our Plumbing Inspector and his associate have conducted their inspections in a manner satisfactory to all. The total inspections, 895, were lower by 14 than those of 1958.
The report of the Animal Inspector shows he had another busy year. Dog Bite Cases investigated by him totaled &5, 19 over last year's figure, and 989 animals were inspected by him at 45 premises.
The work of caring for the City Dump is being satisfactorily carried on by Mr. Albert Dumont, who holds a contract extending to October, 1962. Our rat control program at the dump keeps the rat nuisance problem there at a minimum.
The garbage collection service provided by Correia Bros. continued good during the past year, with a minimum of complaints recorded.
The Department expresses its sincere appreciation of the cooperation and assis- tance given by the City Government as well as by the public and private welfare agen- cies and all others who have in any way contributed to the maintenance and promotion of a high standard of public health protection in Attleboro.
A detailed account of the activities of the department staff and usual tables of statistical data will be found in the following reports.
Respectfully submitted,
Fernand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer
63.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continues-
HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES AND RECEIPTS
-$17,225.00
3,399.68
11,930. 96
20,990.00 $53,545. 64
RECEIPTS
Licenses and Permits were issued as follows for 1959:
100
48
5
1
44 46
96
2
8
6
3
2
6
1
I
I
0
I
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
I
I
0
1
6
I
0
0
1
1
I
I
1
1
0
I
1
0
1
I
0 1 1 Day Care Agencies Rendering-
Funeral Directors
Massage-
Ice Cream Manufacturers.
Dental Clinic Fees Collected- Total Fees collected for these licenses
Polio Clinic Fees Collected-
Health Department Reimbursements, 1959:
Bristol County Hospital-
State Reimbursement on five unsettled cases
hospitalized at Bristol County Hospital
From Town of Greenfield, Mass. for care of pre-
mature baby at Sturdy Hospital - baby having a Greenfield settlement
TOTAL RECEIPTS
64.
$320. 00
187.50
836.00
1,648.56
1,084.50
191. 00
4,267. 56
0
0
0
A
1
! 0
1
1
1
D
I
0
0
I
0
I
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
1
I
1
I
I
1
I
8
0
I
0
€ 1
1
0
8
1
I
0
1 1 Cabins and Trailers Methyl Alcohol
Bottling
Milk Dealer
Oleomargarine
Ice Cream
0
!
I
1
0
1
1
1
I
1
1
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
EXPENDITURES:
Salaries
Sanatoria
0 Garbage Collection- Other Expenses --
1
1
0
I
I
I
I
0
0
1
1
1
I
8
!
1
0
Milk Store-
Pasteurization-
1
3
0
1
G
State Subsidy on 12 Attleboro settled cases at
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
ATTLEBORO'S VITAL STATISTICS BY MONTHS
Births
Stillbirths
Deaths
January
40
0
21
February
52
2
24
March
55
1
34
April
49
1
28
May
44
1
29
June
54
0
23
July
69
0
19
August
67
0
17
September
55
1
22
October
66
0
18
November
48
0
19
December
45
2
17
644
8
271
(352 Males
(4 Males
(148 Males
292 Females)
4 Females)
123 Females)
CAUSES OF ATTLEBORO DEATHS
Accident, auto, 4; Accident, drowning, 1; Accident, gunshot wound, 1; Acci- dent, poisoning, 1; Acute gastritis, 1; Acute Hemorrhagic Edema of lungs, 1; .
1 Acute Left Ventricular Failure, 1; Acute Nephritis, 1, Acute Pulmonary Edema, 1; Aortic Aneurysm, 1; Arterior Embolus, 1; Arteriosclerosis, 3; Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, 25; Broncho Pneumonia, 15, Cancer, 49; Cardiac Decompensation, 8; Cardiovascular Renal Disease, 1; Cerebral Anaemia, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 28, Cerebral Thrombosis, 9; Chronic Myocarditis, 4; Cirrhosis of Liver, 5; Con- gestive Heart Failure, 2; Coronary Occlusion, 11; Coronary Sclerosis, 2; Coronary Thrombosis, 33; Cronzin's Disease, 1, Diabetes Mellitus, 7; Duodenal Ulcer, 3; Endocarditis, 1; Erythroblastosis, 1; Gastric Ulcer, 1; Gastro Intestinal Hemorr- hage, 1; Hypertensive Heart Disease, 3, Intestinal Obstruction, 1, Lymphatic Leu- kemia, 1; Malignant Tumor, 1; Multiple Sclerosis, 1; Myocardial Infarction, 7; Parlytic Ileus, 1; Parkinson's Disease, 1, Pneumococcus Meningitis, 1; Prematurity, 4; Pulmonary Embolus, 1; Rheumatic Heart Disease, 2; Rheumatoid Arthritis, 1; Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm, 1; Stillborn, 8; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, 1; Suicide, 4; Uraemia, 5; Virus Pneumonia, 2.
TOTALS, 271. Males, 148. Females, 123.
DEATHS BY AGES
Stillborn, 8; Under one year, 11; 5-10 years, 1; 10-15 years, 3; 20-30 years, 4; 30-40 years, 12; 40-50 years, 13; 50-60 years, 26; 60-70 years, 43; 70-80 years, 82; 80-90 years, 61; 90-100 years, 6; over 100 years, 1; TOTALS, 148 Males, 123 Females.
65.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Under one day, 3; 1 day, 1; 3 days, 1; 5 days, 1; 9 days, 1, 5 months, 2; 6 months, 1; 9 months, 1. TOTALS 11. Eight males and three females.
CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS
Broncho Pneumonia, 2, Cardiac Failure, 1, Congestive Heart Failure, 1; Cronzin's Disease, 1, Erythroblastosis, 1; Prematurity, 4; Sub-arachnoid Hemorr? hage, 1. TOTALS, 11. Eight males and three females.
CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
and
DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Cat Bite, 1 case, 0 deaths; Chicken Pox, 110 cases, 0 deaths; Dog Bite, 85 cases, 0 deaths; German Measles, 231 cases, 0 deaths; Measles, 25 cases, 0 deaths; Meningitis, meningococcus, 1 case, 0 deaths; Meningitis, pnemococcus, 1 case, 1 death; Monkey Bites, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 10 cases, 0 deaths; Poliomyelitis, 3 cases, 0 deaths; Scarlet Fever, 48 cases, 0 deaths; Tuberculosis, pulmonary, 7 cases, 0 deaths; Whooping Cough, 5 cases, 0 deaths. TOTAL CASES, 529. TOTAL DEATHS, 1.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH AGENT
Fernand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer Health Department Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
Herewith submitted is the annual report of the Milk Inspector and Agent for the department for the year ending December 31, 1959.
During the year 1959, one new milk dealer was granted a permit to sell dairy products in Attleboro, and one milk dealer sold out his business. The number of dealers serving Attleboro remains at 43.
Increased local production of raw milk in the immediate area has resulted from the Federal Marketing Order adopted in 1959. This has resulted in a fresher supply of milk to the consumer. Several areas needing improvement are noted:
Dairies need closer inventory controls and faster distributing methods to give us better cream, cottage cheese and other dairy by-products.
Dairies should reinstate the fieldman to work with local farmers 66.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
in helping to improve the cleanliness of the milk from farms and to educate the farmer in the proper uses of antibiotics. (It is possible that a fieldman could work for several of the smaller farms).
The consumption of dairy products as shown by national consumer reporting agencies has shown an increase during the past year in this area. These reports indicate "pre-recession" levels, with a major swing to wholesale packaging, mar- keting and distribution to the consumer. Retail home delivery distribution now accounts for less than 30% of the consumer dairy dollar. The gallon jug wholesale sales have declined during 1959, with the multiple-pak paper half gallon carton being favored.
Due to the need for more space and larger refrigeration facilities required by the new multi-package units, refrigeration in store outlets has cropped up as a pro- blem in keeping the dairy products properly cooled until customer purchase.
Towards the end of 1959 antibiotic testing became a reality in our department, thus enabling us to control the unwarranted entrance of antibiotics into milk products through the use of these drugs by the farmer in treating his herd. This has be- come a major problem to the industry lest the "cranberry incident" be repeated.
During the year 1959 bakery products, frozen foods and other perishable foods required more attention of the department, with regular inspections and special problems being the main points of attention.
Also, during 1959, the department initiated an annual "better food handling" course for restaurant workers. Over 300 food handlers were awarded permits for completing the course of three lectures, and 150 more received temporary per- mits for attendance at one or two of the lectures. State Health Department officials, who assisted with the course, praised the program as "the most successful under- taking of its type during the last five years in Massachusetts".
An increase in the building of industrial establishments and private homes without a corresponding increase in public sewage facilities has made it necessary for the agent to devote considerable more time to the problems of water supply and sewage installations. It is hoped that the need for more and better municipal sew- age facilities can soon be acted upon.
The following statistical report covers the period January through December,
1959:
Number of dealers selling milk and/or cream in Attleboro 43
Estimated number of quarts of milk sold daily in Attleboro 11,900
Estimated number of quarts of cream sold daily in Attleboro 290
Number of milk pasteurization plants under inspection 23
Number of inspections of these pasteurizing plants in 1959-
34
Number of milk pasteurization plants in Attleboro
3
Number of milk and cream sample's collected from dealers and plants 334
Number of product violations 136
67.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
TOTAL tests made on ; these samples-2239, as follows:
Bacteria Counts
334
Coliform Counts 334
Total Solids Tests
151
Butterfat Tests-
334
Phosphatase Tests
334
Visible Sediment Checks
334
Acidity Tests
41
Flavor and Appearance Checks
334
Fullness Checks
334
Antibiotic Tests
9
Three ice cream plants were inspected. Fifty-three samples of ice cream were taken from 19 dealers and tested as follows:
Bacteria Counts per gram
53
Coliform Counts per gram
53
Butterfat Tests 53 1 1 1
Total Solids Tests 1
1 I
9
Weight Per Gallon Checks
1 1
53
Number of Product Violations
9
Number of bakeries under inspection
7
Number of inspection of these bakeries
13
Four bakery products were analyzed in the Health Department laboratories, with the following tests performed:
Bacteria Counts per gram
4
Coliform 1 Counts per gram
4
Yeast and Mold Counts per gram
4
Dirt Particle Checks
4
One hundred and sixty one samples of public and private water supplies were analyzed as follows:
Bacteria Counts 161
BGB Coliform (MPN) Counts
161
Hot, Cold Threshold Odor Tests 161
Turbidity Tests"
161
Color Tests
161
pH Determinations
161
Isolation and Differentiation Tests 47
Chlorine PPM 7
1
1
I
68.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
Five wells were condemned as not being a safe water supply
Number of public swimming pools under inspection 6 Number of swimming pool inspections 23
Tests made on swimming pool waters:
PPM Chlorine Tests i 34
pH Determinations 1 1
1
1
1 1 34
1 Bacteria Counts - 1
34
BGB Coliform (MPN)Counts 1
34
EMB Differentiation
34
1
Number of Eating and Drinking Establishments under inspection 71 Number of Inspections of Eating and Drinking Establishments 154 Number of swabtests made on eating and drinking utensils 138 Number of bacteria counts made on swabs - 138
Number of utensils exceeding the maximum bacteria allowed- 63
Number of Boarding or Convalescent homes under inspection 5
Number of Boarding or Convalescent homes inspected- 9
Number of new private sewage installations
107
Number of private sewage installations inspected 81
Number of new plats inspected and approved for drainage, water 7 supply and sewage disposal 5
Number of Soft Drink Bottling Plants in Attleboro- 1
The City Dump was inspected for maintenance and the Pest Control Service inspected periodically for rat control.
One hundred and fifteen nuisance complaints /were received and investigated. They included improper rubbish and garbage disposal, keeping of animals without a permit, overflowing cesspools and septic tanks, keeping of chickens and fowl in an insanitary manner, water pollution, smoke-air pollution, poor nutrition in a nursing home, insect infestations, sub-standard housing, faulty plumbing, oil fumes, insanitary swimming pool conditions, rat infestations, pigeon nuisances, restaurant conditions and some annoyances not covered by present Health Depart- ment regulations.
Regular meetings of the State Health Department, Massachusetts Milk Inspector Association and Civilian Defense Training Schools were attended.
Lectures were given to Girl Scouts, the Kiwanis Club, the Attleboro Builders Association and to the nurses in training at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
We are indebted to City Solicitor Franklin Mckay, Public Works Superinten- dent Russell Tennant and Chief Hiram Packard for their advice and aid in solving some of the problems of the department.
Respectfully submitted, John R. Harvey, R. S. , Agent
69.
1
1
I 1
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
REPORT OF THE HEALTH NURSE
Doctor Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
I herewith submit the annual statistical report of the activities of the Health Nurse for the year 1959:
Number of visits to and in behalf of tuberculosis cases 125
Number of visits to and in behalf of contacts of tuberculosis cases 47
Number of visits to and in behalf of suspicious tuberculosis cases - 54
Number of visits to Bristol County Hospital with persons for x-ray follow-up and admittance 45
Number of active tuberculosis cases reported in 1959 7
Number of inactive tuberculosis cases reported in 1959 1
Number of deaths from tuberculosis reported in 1959 0
Number of visits to and in behalf of other infectious diseases 16
Number of visits to and in behalf of services to crippled children- 36
Number of visits to and in behalf of school children - 129
Number of visits to and in behalf of non-communicable diseases 42
Other visits - check on biologicals at Sturdy Hospital, inspection of Day Care Agencies, premature baby program, social service, Health Department business meetings attended and talks given --- 339
TOTAL OF ALL VISITS 743
Eleven hundred and thirty five children received polio inoculations at three clinics held at the Health Department quarters.
All children at St. John and St. Joseph Parochial Schools were weighed and measured and given a Patch Test for tuberculosis.
Twenty-four persons from this city received care and treatment during 1959 at Bristol County Hospital.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Mc Manus, R. N.
70.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Doctor Girouard:
We herewith submit the annual report of the Dental Clinic for 1959:
Clinic Sessions
1 1 130 1
Number of Visits 1
I
1 I
1231
Number of Radiographs 1 1 I 854
Number of Restorations
I 1 168
Number of Extractions
1 794 1
Number of minor Orthodontia
Cases Treated
22
During the year 1959, the school dentists had 1231 patient visits at a total of 130 sessions. Prinicipal treatment consisted of 854 radiographs taken, 794 extractions done and 168 restorations completed. Twenty-two children were given minor orthodontia treatments to improve both appear- ance and dental health.
In September the dentist carried out the annual inspection of the mouths of 3334 children in grades one through six in the 12 public and parochial schools. There were 2257 referrals of children requiring early dental care, of which number 677 applied for treatment at the Dental Clinic.
The dental hygienist made 16 visits to the school classrooms for 60 dental health education talks which supplement the direct instruction given to children at Dental Clinic.
The dental hygienist also made 32 visits to the schools for special check-ups and 15 home visits concerning child-patients to the Dental Clinic.
Respectfully submitted, Lino Tiberi, D. M. D. Domenic Basile, D. M. D. Ruth C. Merriss, D. H.
71.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Dr. F. L. Girouard, Health Officer
Health Department, City Hall
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
During the year 1959, the plumbing inspectors made a total of 895 inspections, 702 by Allan A. Gross and 193 by Constant Poholek. These included rough plumb- ing and finish inspections and were as follows:
339 New houses
51 Old lead replacements
29 Sink traps replaced
42 Soil stacks
8 Dishwashers
1 Disposal
46 Gas water heaters
48 Electric water heaters
1 Gas range
26 Tankless heaters
7 Sewer connections
197 Fixture replacements
25 Kitchen sinks
4 Health complaints
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