USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1961 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
April 1961 to December 1961 Dog Kennels. .
20
o
0
I am hoping that we can have an Animal Shelter this year to provide larger quarters for all strays. Right now I can provide shelter in my garage, for I have built eleven cages 36" x 28" to house them. I also have a run 50 x 28 feet in the rear of my house. It now takes all my time caring for them.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. Quaglia Dog Officer
61
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1961
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 47th annual report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
General health conditions in Attleboro for the year 1961 continued to be satisfactory.
The number of live Attleboro births during 1961 was 601 '338 males and 263 females), marking an increase of 16 over the preceding year's baby crop and also showing a return to the steady increase of recent years after a slight drop in 1960's total as compared to that of 1959. Of the total, 532 were born at Sturdy Hospital and 69 in hospitals outside the city. Eight hundred and seventy-six more babies (453 males and 423 females) were born in the city to parents having resid- ences 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 rose slightly in 1961, with 308 deaths recorded as compared to 282 the previous year. The total included nine stillbirths and 72 residents who died out of the city. Of the total, 153 were males, 154 females, and one not iden- tified as to sex. Over 70% of all the deaths occurred among the over-60 age group, and 52% were persons 70 years of age and older - reflecting the increasing pro- portion of older persons in the population brought about by advances in medicine and public health and the rise in living standards. Major causesof these deaths were the same as in all recent prior years, namely: Diseases of the heart, Malignant Neoplasms(cancer), and Cerebral Hemorrhage. These three leading causes totaled 191 deaths or over 62% of all deaths in our city. Four accidental deaths occurred during 1961, a decrease of seven from the toll recorded in 1960. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for three of these, and burns were responsible for one fatality.
An unfavorable aspect of the community's health record for the year was an outbreak of staphlococcal food poisoning with occurred in mid-November. Approx- imately 200 students and a few school personnel became ill after partaking of a turkey dinner in a school cafeteria. Recovery in all cases was uneventful, and the Health Department, working with the close cooperation of the State Health Depart- ment, quickly sought out and eliminated the cause of the outbreak. We were grateful that the outbreak, confined to the one school, proved no more serious, and in such time of trouble it was heartening to note again the fine spirit of help- fulness and cooperation which exists among our citizens. We believe that the
62.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued
incident pointed up anew our department's continuing efforts in behalf of better food handling, which are implemented by local health regulations, our annual workshop for food handlers and our periodic inspection of establishments where food and drink are served.
A predominant health activity of the year 1961, as in 1960, has been the polio vaccination program. The Health Department sponsored four free clinics be- tween April and September, with a total of 3625 shots being administered to children and adults. It is gratifying to report that no polio cases were record- ed in the city for the year, reflecting, we believe, that much of our population is taking advantage of the available facilities and services for immunization against this crippling disease.
Highlighting the remainder of the communicable disease picture for 1961 were reports of 792 cases of the common childhood diseases. This marked an in- crease over the previous year's total of 529 cases, but still was a relatively mild year. Three hundred and sixty-seven cases of measles and 225 cases of mumps accounted for most of the total, with chicken pox (67 cases) and scarlet fever (20 cases) providing the next highest totals. Dog bite cases numbered 91 for the year. Four deaths recorded for reportable diseases included three from tuberculosis and one from infectious hepatitis.
Our Health Nurse has participated in a variety of health plans where know- ledge of public health nursing has been essential to the success of the health pro- grams of the department. She 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 re- garding 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 pro-' vided nursing follow-up for the health programs at St. John and St. Joseph par- ochial schools, where all pupils were weighed and measured and given the Mass- achusetts Vision Test.
In compliance with state regulations, the department licensed 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.
Expanding responsibilities in the fields of sewage and water resulting from the requirement to meet new state regulations have caused our Health Agent to give more detailed consideration to these problems. On other sanitation fronts the agent has conducted periodic field and laboratory examination of our city's
63.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
milk and water supplies, inspected all food and drink handling establishments, over-night cabins and trailer camps, markets, convalescent homes and homes for the aged, bakeries, ice cream and soft drink manufacturing plants, and other establishments affecting the health of the citizens. The quality of our milk and cream supply was found to be generally high, and our city's water supply continues to be of excellent quality. A willingness on the part of food handlers to comply with the sanitary standards prescribed by our health code has been noted, and wherever health nuisances were found to exist, they were in most cases promptly abated.
Our Dental Clinic, in addition to routine service of the annual survey and classification of teeth of 3486 public and parochial school children of the first six grades, looked after the dental health of the children of these grades whose parents were unable to provide privato dent-l care for them. Of a total of 2134 referrals of children requiring carly dental care, 390 were ac- cepted for treatment at the clinic for the 1961-1962 school year. The high number of referrals each year denotes a continuing dental health problem, which might best be solved if our city adopted a safe and effective method for the prevention of dental caries through fluoridation of water supply.
Our plumbing inspector and his associate have conducted their inspections in a manner satisfactory to all. The total inspections, 783, were lower by 89 than those of 1960.
The report of the animal inspector shows he had another busy year. Dog bite cases investigated by him totaled 79, 21 under last year's figure, and 930 animals were inspected by him at 41 premises.
The work of caring for the city dump is being satisfactorily carried on by Mr. Dumont, who holds a contract extending to October, 1962. Our rat control program at the dump keeps the rat nuisance problem there at a mini- mum.
The garbage collection service provided by Correia Brothers continued good during the past year, with a minimum of complaints recorded.
The department expresses its sincere appreciation of the cooperation and assistance given by the City Government as well as the public and private wel- fare agencies and all others who 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 Ferrand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer.
64.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES AND RECEIPTS
Expenditures:
Salaries
I 0
$ 18,675. 00
Sanatoria
3,273.50
Other Expenses -
12,287. 11
Garbage Collection 0
20,990.00
TOTAL. EXPENDITURES
$ 55,225. 61
Receipts: -
Licenses and Permits were issued as follows for the year:
Milk Store
93
Milk Dealer
40
Ice Cream Manufacturers 1 1
2
Pasteurizers
2
Oleomargarine
42
Alcohol (Methyl)-
24
1 Cabins and Trailer Camps 0
5
Funeral Directors
6
Massage
3
Day Care Agencies
2
I 1 I
6
Sale of Ice Cream
88
Installations of Septic Tanks -
6
Total fees collected for these licenses $ 239. 50 0 0 0
Dental Clinic fees 481. 55 0 U 0
Health Department reimbursements, 1961:
State subsidy for six Attleboro settled cases at Bristol County Hospital 742. 85
State reimbursement for two unsettled cases hospitalized at Bristol County Hospital- --- 625. 50
TOTAL RECEIPTS $ 2,089. 40
1
0 0
1
0
0
I
9
9 0
I
1 I 0
0
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
ATTLEBORO'S VITAL STATISTICS BY MONTHS
Births
Deaths
January
46
40
February
48
37
March
63
15
April
50
28
May
54
27
June
54
25
July
42
23
August
42
15
September
46
18
October
51
30
November
58
25
December
47
25
601
308
(338 Males,
153 Males
263 Females)
154 Females, one not identified )
CAUSES OF ATTLEBORO DEATHS
Accident, auto, 3; Accident, burns, 1; Acute Appendicitis, 1; Acute Infectious Hepatitis, 1; Acute Pneumonitis, 1 ;= Alcoholism, 1; Aortic Aneurysm, 2; Aortic Stenosis, 1; Arteriosclerosis, 6; Arteriosclerotis Heart Disease, 18; Asphyxia, 1; Asthma, 3; Atelectasis, 1; Bronchial Pneumonia, 12; Cancer, 59; Cardiac Decompensation, 10; Cause - not given, 1; Cerebral Aneurysm, 1; Cerebral Arteriosclerosis, 2; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 19; Cerebral Thrombosis, 16; Choleocystitis, 1; Cirrhosis of Liver, 4; Congenital Absence of Lung, 1; Congenital Heart Failure, 3; Coronary Artery Disease, 1; Coronary Heart Disease, 2; Coronary Occul- sion , 12; Coronary Sclerosis, 1; Coronary Spasm, 1; Coronary Throm- bosis, 41; Diabetes Mellitus, 5; Duodenal Ulcer, 1; Emphysema, 1; Gross Malnutrition, 1; Homicide, 2; Hydrocephalus, 1; Hypertensive Heart Disease, 4; Inanition - Senility, 1; Leukemia, 1; Lobar Pneumonia, 2; Mesenteric Thrombosis, 1; Myocardial Infarction, 18; Ochronosis, 1; Paralytic Illeus, 1; Parkinson's Disease, 1; Prematurity, 8; Pulmonary Edema, 2, Pulmonary Embolus, 2; Pulmonary Infarct, 1; Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 3; Pyelone- phritis, 1; Rheumatic Heart Disease, 1; Stillborn, 9; Stokes-Adams Disease, 1; Suicide, 1; Uraemia, 10; Ventricular Heart Failure, 1.
TOTALS, 308. Males, 153. Females, 154. One stillborn not identified as to sex.
DEATHS BY AGES
Stillborn, 9; Under one year, 16; 1-5 years, 2; 5-10 years, 1; 20-30 years, 1; 30-40 years, 7; 40-50 years, 20; 50-60 years, 35; 60-70 years, 50; 70-80 years, 97; Over 80 years, 70. TOTALS, 308.
66.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Under one day, 7; one day, 5; one month, 1, 5 months, 2; 6 months, 1. TOTALS, 16. Seven males and nine females.
CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS
Congenital Heart Failure, 3; Congenital Absence of Lung, 1; Gross Malnutrition, 1; Homicide, 2; Lobar Pneumonia, 1; Prematurity, 8. TOTAL, 16. Seven males and nine females.
CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
and DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Cat Bite, 1 case, 0 deaths; Chicken Pox, 73 ; cases, 0 deaths; Dog Bite, 91 cases, 0 deaths; German Measles, 4 cases, 0 deaths; Infectious Hepatitis, 2 cases, 1 death; Measles, 367 cases, 0 deaths; Meningitis, 3 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 225 cases, 0 deaths; Salmonellosis, 1 case, 0 deaths; Scarlet Fever, 20 cases, 0 deaths; Tuberculosis, 4 cases, 3 deaths; Whooping Cough, 1 case, 0 deaths. TOTAL CASES, 792. TOTAL DEATHS, 4.
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 year ending December 31, 1961.
During the year 1961, two new milk dealers were granted permits to sell dairy products in Attleboro, and three dealers went out of business. Forty-two dealers now serve Attleboro, the majority of the supply being served by nine dealers. The Federal Marketing Order adopted in 1959 has been a factor in creating extreme competition among dealers. We predict, if the present trend continues, that the number of dealers serving Attleboro will diminish sharply in the next few years, with large firms continuing to increase their business. Raw milk supply has in- creased at the local area level, and a better finished milk product has been the re- sult. Several dairies have installed High Temperature, Short Time Pasteurization Units with "De-odorizing, De-flavorizing" Vacuum Chambers. This has resulted in better flavored milk.
67
nildas Istper
Report of the Health Agent continued- 1
Cream and cream products continue to be a quality control problem. Much of the supply comes from midwestern United States, and age is the big factor in poor quality. Two by-products, cottage cheese and buttermilk, still remain only fair in quality. There are few manufacturers of these products and sales are low.
Milk plant inspections have shown two major problems still facing the industry: 1. poor in-place cleaning. 2. poor washing and sterilizing of glass milk bottles.
An artificial cream (soybean oil product) was found being marketed in the area in violation of Massachusetts Food and Drug Regulations, The violation was abated.
The Health Department's annual "Food Handlers' Workshop" was held on April 10, 13, and 17. Guest speakers were Mr. Harland Kingsbury, R. S. from the Newton, Mass. Health Department, Mr. E. Vincent Brimley, R. S. from the State Department of Health, and Mr. John Mackie from the Raytheon Company. Mr. Mackie demonstrated a "Radar Range. " Approximately 300 food handlers' permits were issued at the conclusion of the course.
The department in cooperation with the Fire Department and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored and completed a successful (Spring Clean-up Week. "
In June, just prior to the closing of schools, the department, in company with Mr. Eugene Melville, administrative assistant to the school superintendent, and Mrs. Pearl Fine, cafeterias supervisor, inspected 10 school system cafeterias. These inspections were separated into two categories - 1. Personnel; 2. Equip- ment and building maintenance. Analysis of these inspections disclosed a need for more and better equipment, more refrigeration facilities and improved maintenance.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, after public hearings, made effective a section of its new Sanitary Code - "Minimum Requirements for the Disposal of Sanitary Sewage. " This regulation superceded local regulations and became effective December 31, 1961. Licenses or permits required under the new regulation include: 1. Permit to construct septic tank and leaching fields (50¢ ea. ); 2. Annual permit to contractor who installs septic tanks ($1. 00 per year), 3. License to qualified engineers to perform percolation tests ($1. 00 per year).
Considerable time and effort were expended by members of the department when a case of food infection felled 200 of 531 pupils at the Bliss School cafeteria on November 16. A report of causative agents and suggested remedial actions were given to the School Department. Recommendations to the School Department included the future possibility of a centrally located main kitchen where all foods would be prepared and then trucked to the various schools for distribution.
68.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
This could enable the system to have the best in modern equipment and improved facilities It would require approved sanitary trucks.
The Massachusetts Health Department in December notified the Public Works Department of a new state regulation requiring municipal water supplies to be analyzed by qualified laboratories for possible contamination. The Health De- partment, in a cooperative effort with the Public Works Department, agreed to add new equipment, as recommended by the Lawrence Experimental Station, and applied for approval of its laboratory in order to assume responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the new regulation. This service will save the city considerable money and provide immediate reports to the Public Works De- partment on the municipal water supply. It will require more laboratory time of Health Department personnel.
Statistical Review
Number of milk pasteurization plants under inspection
17
Number of inspections of pasteurizing plants in 1961 34 1 0 0
Number of pasteurization plants in Attleboro
8
1
1 B 2
Number of milk, cream, and ice cream samples collected
$ ;
1 rs
and plants
1 288 1
Number of product violations 0
64
Number of bakeries under inspection
9
Number of inspections of the nine bakeries
17
1 Number of samples of public and private water supplies analyzed 530 5 4
Number of laboratory tests made on these water samples 1
1 2907 1
Number of private wells condemned as not being a safe water supply
3
Number of swimming pools under inspection (public) - U
7
1 I Number of inspections of the seven pools 19
24
Number of eating and drinking establishments under inspection
75
Number of inspections of eating and drinking establishments 1
239
Number of swab-bacteria counts made of eating and drinking utensils 394 0
Number of violations of bacteria exceeding standards for eating and drinking utensils 64
Number of Boarding or Convalescent Homes under inspection
7
Number of inspections of these seven Boarding or Convalescent Homes
5
Number of permits issued for private sewage installations
214
Number of new plats inspected and approved for drainage, water supply and sewage disposal 2
Number of public health nuisances investigated and set up for abatement
146
Toxology analysis on meat samples submitted by Police Dept. in suspected dog-poisoning case - 1
Number of garbage complaints recorded
232
Respectfully submitted
John R. Harvey, R, S. Health Agent.
69.
P
H
1
1
6
U
1
0
1
1
9
0
8
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
Total number of laboratory tests on 288 samples 0
2690
e 2 Number of tests made on swimming pool water - 0 0 1
8
1 0
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 1961.
Number of visits to and in behalf of tuberculosis cases 143
Number of visits to and in behalf of contacts of tuberculosis cases - - 58
Number of visits to and in behalf of suspicious tuberculosis cases --- 31
Number of visits to Bristol County Hospital with persons for x-ray follow-up and admittance 1 1 8
27
Number of active tuberculosis cases reported in 1961
6
Number of inactive tuberculosis cases reported in 1961 1
0
Number of tuberculosis deaths reported in 1961
3
Number of visits to and in behalf of other infectious diseases 32 0
Number of visits to and in behalf of services to crippled children 26 0
Number of visits to and in behalf of school children 140 2
Number of visits to and in behalf of non-communicable diseases 33
Other visits - check on biologicals at Sturdy Hospital, inspection of Day Care Agencies, premature baby program, social service,
Health Department business, meetings attended, talks given --- 544
TOTAL OF ALL VISITS 1043
Three thousand, six hundred and twenty-five children and adults received free polio inoculations at four clinics sponsored by the Health Department.
All children at St. John and St. Joseph Schools were weighed and measured and given the Massachusetts Vision Test. First grade children were given the Patch Test for tuberculosis.
A total of 14 tuberculosis patients from Attleboro received care and treatment at Bristol County Hospital during 1961, and 21 non-tuberculosis cases also re- ceived care and treatment at the same hospital.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Mc Manus, R. N. Health Nurse.
70.
1 9 1
5
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
We herewith submit the annual report of the Dental Clinic for 1961:
In September 1961, the school dental clinic carried out its annual inspection. An oral examination and classification with throat stick and flashlight were per- formed on 3486 children in grades one through six in nine public and two paro- chial schools.
There were 2134 referrals of children requiring early dental care. Three hundred and ninety applicants were accepted for treatment at the dental clinic.
During the year 1961, the school dental clinic had 1356 patient appointments at its clinics.
Principal treatments consisted of 1404 radiographs, 925 extractions, and 261 restorations.
Thirteen children were given minor orthodontia treatments to improve both appearance and dental health.
The dental hygienist made nine visits to the schools for class room talks and distribution of dental health booklets.
The dental hygienist also made three visits to the schools for special exams, and three home visits concerning child-patients of the dental clinic.
Respectfully submitted, Lino Tiberi, D. M. D. Domenic Basile, D. M. D. Ruth C. Merriss, D. H.
71.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING 1961
Dr. F. L. Girouard Health Officer
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals and Inspector of
Number of animals examined and quarantined to determine whether or not
they had rabies.
Number of premises inspected
Number of animals inspected at these premises:
379
49
40
4
3
22
26
1
406
I
1
8
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Horses
Sheep
Goat
Swine
Seventeen interstate permits, covering shipment of 48 cattle, were received
One barn was inspected for disinfection as the result of a tuberculosis reactor.
Respectfully submitted,
James C. DeWitt, D. V. M. Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering
72.
1
1
1
0
1
1
!
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
Cattle
Heifers
Calves
Bulls
Steer
1
B
B
i
1
1
and checked.
79
41
Slaughtering for 1961.
1
I
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING 1961
Dr. F. L. Girouard, Health Officer
Health Department, City Hall
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
During the past year, 783 inspections were made by the Plumbing Inspectors, 171 by my assistant, Constant Poholek, and 612 by myself. These included 255 rough plumbing and 191 finish inspections and were as follows:
23 Tankless heaters
40 Gas water heaters
7 Oil heaters
35 Electric heaters
53 Replacements of old fixtures
39 Replacements of lead waste
22 Sınk traps
17 Water closets
10 Dishwashers
19 Washing machine hookups
22 Sewer connections
3 Air conditioners
29 Soil pipe replacements
4 Storm sewer connections for rainleaders
14 Water pipe replacements
The Building Code was revised this past year, bringing it up to date so that modern materials are allowed.
The cooperation of the plumbers, building contractors and the City Council is needed to bring the Plumbing Code up to date, so that new materials as they are proved satisfactory may be used in Attleboro also.
Yours truly,
Allan A. Gross Plumbing Inspector.
73
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR 1961
To His Honor the Mayor and the Municipal Council:
The City Solicitor's office had one of its busiest years in 1961.
Many rulings and conferences were held with department heads and the Municipal Council.
One Zoning Appeals Board case was carried through to the Supreme Judicial Court and successfully deferred.
Two Zoning Appeal cases were tried to a Master in the Superior Court.
Many conferences were held relative to the default in the Manchester Reser- voir Contract, and other important matters of litigation involving the City of Attle- boro.
There were some prosecutions in the Fourth District Court on the Health Department, Building Inspector's office and the Electrical Department.
Two land damage cases were tried in Superior Court on land taking for the New High School.
This office is in need of a set of books on the Municipal Corporation law.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.