USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1962 > Part 5
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Local licenses were issued and applications for county, state and special licenses were filled out for the applicants and mailed to the Bureau of Standards in Boston for verification and and completion.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph A. McGee Sealer .
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER 1962
To the Honorable Mayor and the Municipal Council:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Dog Officer for the year 1962 as follows:
Dogs killed (highway - 102
Dogs boarded (custody} - 169
Dogs destroyed (statutory)- 16
Complaints and Investigations - 3086
Mileage 6407
In the past few years due to the many complaints of strays in this city, I have been on the job around the clock. In order to house them I have quartered the dogs in my garage and provided a larger run. I have also provided heat and lights, and good feeding and water. The expense to operate is costly, including reg- istration of the Dog Truck and insurance plus repairs of cages and equipment dam- aged by dogs.
I trust that the Honorable Mayor and the members of the Municipal Council under- stand the cost of maintenance of the Dog Officer's department for the year 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. Quaglia, Dog Officer . 59.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT 1962
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 48th annual report for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Generally favorable health conditions prevailed 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 1962 was 594 (309 males and 285 females), marking a slight decrease of seven over the preceding year's baby crop. Of the total, 499 were born at Sturdy Hospital, one was a home delivery and 94 were born in hospitals outside of the city. Twenty-eight premature babies were born to Attleboro parents, and in compliance with state law the Health Department granted $4642 for the hospitalization of 14 of these infants, whose parents were unable to meet the expense due to extensive care needed.
General mortality rose slightly in 1962 with 313 deaths recorded as com- pared to 308 the previous year. The total included five stillbirths and 79 resid- ents who died out of the city. Of the total, 159 were males and 154 females. Over 77% of all the deaths occurred among the over-60 age group, more than 60% were persons 70 years of age and older, and 28% lived beyond the age of 80. These precentages reflect the nation-wide, long-term gains in longevity brought about by advances in medicine and public health, and the rise in living standards. Major causes of the deaths were the same as in all recent prior years, namely: Diseases of the heart, Cancer and Cerebral Diseases. These three leading causes totaled 223 deaths or over 71% of all deaths in our city. Seven accidental deaths occurred in 1962, an increase of three over the toll recorded in 1961. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for five of these, drowning and a fall were each re- sponsible for one fatality.
During 1962 the incidence of communicable diseases was relatively mild. The Health Department received reports of 750 cases as compared with 792 the previous year. Average years were reported for most of the common childhood diseases. Three hundred and 61 cases of measles(not far removed from 1961's figure of 367 cases) provided most of the total. A bright outlook that this disease may eventually be eradicated is offered by the recently-developed live virus vaccine for use against this virus. A fatal case was among the reported total of 131 cases of chicken pox. Sixty-three cases of mumps and 28 cases of scar- let fever provided the next highest totals. Also recorded were two cases of amebic dysentery, seven Salmonellosis cases and three new tuberculosis cases, two pulmonary and one renal. A case of acute encephalitis resulted in our sec- ond reported death from a communicable disease.
60.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Officer continued-
As in the previous two years, a pre dominant health activity of 1962 has been our immunization programs. During May and June, 4578 children ages 3 months through seven years received Type I and Type III of the Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine. In addition, 3080 Salk Polio Shots were given, 1769 to Children under 20 and 1311 to adults. At three Triple Antigen Clinics held in October, November, and Dec- ember, 439 youngsters received important protection against whooping cough, tetanus and diptheria. Also in December, the department administered flu shots to 58 city employees.
No polio cases and only two whooping cough cases were recorded in the city for the past year, reflecting, we believe, the efficacy of our immunization pro- cedures and the cooperation of our population in taking advantage of the avail- able facilities and services for immunization.
Our Health Agent, in addition to routine inspections covering eating and drink- ing establishments, food stores, bakeries, markets, ice cream and soft drink manufacturing plants, convalescent and nursing homes, overnight cabins and trailers and swimming pools, also collected milk, cream, food and water sam- ples for laboratory examination.
In our state-approved laboratory he performed 294 bacteriological plate count tests on restaurant utensils and carried out chemical and bacteriological tests on 927 milk, ice cream and water samples.
The requirement that building contractors meet new standards of the Massa- chusetts Sanitary Code for sewage installations has resulted in expanding responsi- bilities for our Health Agent, who must license, inspect and approve the plans and check percolation testing procedures. The need for a full-time inspector for this work in conjunction with other municipal sewage and drainage connection in- spections is :
Complaints regarding housing, insect and rodent control, air pollution, litter and nuisances in general were investigated, and where public health nuisances were found to exist, they were promptly abated.
Our Public Health Nurse has participated in a variety of health programs where knowledge of public health nursing has been essential to the success of the depart- ment's health activities. Nursing service was provided to two parochial schools with an enrollment of 740 children. All the children were weighed and measured, and youngsters of the first grade received the Patch tuberculin test. Home app- raisal visits in the interest of the premature infants were made by the nurse, and other home visits were made in relation to communicable diseases, crippled children and child health. In addition, the nurse continued our tuberculosis con- trol program based on case finding, hospitalization of infectious cases and follow-
61.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Officer continued-
up of all known cases not hospitalized. The closing of the Bristol County Hospi- tal as a tuberculosis unit at the close of the year reflects the markedly de- creased need for beds for the care of tuberculosis, but the disease has not been eradicated and we must expect new cases to appear. Attleboro tuberculosis patients will henceforth be served by hospitalization at Norfolk County Hospi- tal in South Braintree.
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. Changes in the state laws on day care services for children will require changes in the licensing and inspection program in 1963. New state regula- tions will supercede present local health regulations whenever they are more stringent.
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 de- mand.
Our Dental Clinic, in addition to routine service of the annual survey and classification of teeth of 3624 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 private dental care for them. Of a total of 2286 referrals of children requiring early dental care, 409 were accepted for treatment at the clinic for the 1962-1963 school year. The high number of referrals each year indicates 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 our water supply.
Our plumbing inspector and his associate have conducted their inspections in a manner satisfactory to all. The total inspections, 866, were higher by 83 than those of 1961.
The report of the animal inspector shows he had another busy year. Dog bite cases investigated by him totaled 109, 30 above last year's figure, and 1479 animals were inspected by him at 36 premises.
The work of caring for the city dump is being satisfactorily carried on by Mr. Dumont, who holds a contract extending to September, 1966. Our rat control program at the dump keeps the rat nuisance problem there at a minimum.
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.
62.
Annual Report
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.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES AND RECEIPTS 1962
19,375.00
1,868. 32
14,727.31 24,990.00
$ 60,960. 63
Receipts: -
Licenses and Permits were issued as follows for the year:
Milk Store
Milk Dealer
Ice Cream Manufacturers Pasteurizing
Cabins and Trailer Camps - Oleo margarine Methyl Alcohol
Funeral Directors
Massage
1 Day Care Agencies- Sale of Ice Cream Installation of Septic Tanks Percolation Engineers
Rendering
Total fees collected for these licenses
Dental Clinic Fees
Health Department Reimbursements, 1962:
State Subsidy for four Attleboro settled cases
744.28
423.00
$ 1,861. 23
93
37
2
42
37
4
5
4
94 52
44
2
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
Expenditures :- Salaries
Sanatoria
Other Expenses
Garbage Collection
1
!
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
-
1
1
1
I
State reimbursement for two unsettled cases
Hospitalized at Bristol County Hospital
at Bristol County Hospital
63.
$ 393. 50
300. 45
$
6
1
1
I
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
1
3
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
ATTLEBORO'S VITAL STATISTICS BY MONTHS
Births
Deaths
January
41
29
February
41
26
March
47
20
April
46
22
May
55
26
June
56
14
July
46
20
August
69
23
September
50
35
October
55
34
November
48
32
December
40
32
594
313
(309 Males,
(159 Males,
285 Females)
154 Females)
CAUSES OF ATTLEBORO DEATHS
Abdominal Tumor, 1; Accident, automobile, 5; Accident, drowning, 1; Accident, fall, 1; Acute Encephalitis, 1; Aortic Aneurysm, 2; Arterioclerosis, 2; Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, 36; Asphyxia, 1; Atelectasis, 1; Bronchial Pneumonia, 14; Cancer, 50; Cardiac Arrest, 2; Cardiac Decompensation, 4; Cerebral Anaemia, 1; Cerebral Aneurysm, 1; Cerebral Hemorrhage, 20; Cere- bral Thrombosis, 16; Chicken Pox, 1; Cholecystitis, 1; Circulatory Failure, 1; Coarctation of Aorta, 1; Congenital Heart Failure, 1; Congenital Anamoly, 1; Congestive Heart Failure, 3; Coronary Heart Disease, 7; Coronary Insufficiency 1; ; Coronary Occlusion, 9; Coronary Pulmonale, 3; Coronary Scerosis, 1; Coronary Thrombosis, 46; Diabetes Mellitus, 4; Duodenal Ulcer, 1; Gastric Ulcer, 2; Hyaline Membrane Disease, 1; Hydrocephalus, 1; Hyertensive Heart Disease, 1; Hypoplasia, 1; Interstitial Pneumonia, 1; Intestinal Obstruction, 1; Intracranial Birth Injury, 1; Leukemia, 2; Lobar Pneumonia, 1; Malignant Hypertension, 1; Massive Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, 1; Myocardial Infarction, 29; Obstruction of Renal Artery, 1; Prematurity, 4; Pulmonary Edema, 6; Pulmonary Embolus, 2; Pulmonary Hemorrhage, 1; Rheumatic Heart Disease, 1; Septicaemia, 2; Stillborn, 5; Subdural Hemorrhage, 2; Suicide, 2; Uraemia, 1; Ventricular Heart Failure, 3.
TOTAL, 313. Males, 159. Females, 154
DEATHS BY AGES
Stillborn, 5; under one year, 13; 1-5 years, 2; 5-10 years, 5; 10-20 years, 2; 20-30 years, 2; 30-40 years, 7; 40-50 years, 7; 50-60 years, 26; 60-70 years, 54; 70-80 years, 101; over 80 years, 73; over 90 years, 15; over 100 years, 1. TOTAL, 313.
64.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Department continued-
DEATHS UNDER ONE YEAR
Under one day, 5; one day, 1; 2 days, 2; 4 days, 1; 7 days, 1; 17 days, 1; 3 months, 1; 7 months, 1. TOTALS, 13. Eight males and five females.
CAUSES OF THESE DEATHS
Asphyxiation, 1; Atelectasis, 1; Cardiac Arrest, 1; Chicken Pox, 1; Coarctation of Membrane, 1; Congenital Anamoly, 1; Hyaline Membrane Disease, 1; Hypoplasia, 1; Intracranial Birth Injury, 1; Prematurity, 4. TOTAL 13. Eight males and five females.
1 CASES OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES and DEATHS FROM COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Animal Bites: Bear, 1 case, 0 deaths; Cat, 2 cases, 0 deaths; dog, 135 cases, 0 deaths; monkey, 5 cases, 0 deaths; squirrel, 1 case, 0 deaths; Chicken Pox 131 cases, 1 death; Dysentery, amebic, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Encephalitis, acute, 1 case, 1 death; German Measles, 6 cases, 0 deaths; Measles, 361 cases, 0 deaths; Meningitis, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Mumps, 63 cases, 0 deaths; Salmonellosis, 7 cases, ;0 deaths; Scarlet Fever, 28 cases, 0 deaths; Tuberculosis, pulmonary, 2 cases, 0 deaths; Tubercul- osis, renal , 1 case, 0 deaths; Whooping Cough, 2 cases, 0 deaths. TOTAL CASES 750. TOTAL DEATHS, 2.
REPORT OF THE HEALTH AGENT
Fernand L. Girouard, M. D. Health Officer Health Department Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Doctor Girouard:
Herewith submitted is the annual report of the Agent and Milk Inspect- or for the department for the year ending December 31, 1962.
During the year 1962, thirty - seven milk dealers were granted permits to sell dairy products in Attleboro. Several out-of-town firms chose not to re- new their permits. Ninety-three stores were licensed to sell milk, and ninety- one stores were granted permits to sell ice cream. Forty-two permits to sell oleomargarine were issued. Three milk pasteurizing licenses were granted, and two firms were granted permits to manufacture ice cream.
65.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Agent continued-
Fifty-one milk plant inspections were made. The laboratory ana- lyzed 171 samples of dairy products, with the following tests applied: Bacteria Counts, Coliform Counts, Total Solids, Butterfat Phosphatase, Sediment, Flavor and Appearance, Fullness and Antibiotic Determinations. Fourteen ice cream samples were tested for Bacteria Counts, , Coliform Counts, Butterfat and Weight per Gallon. Several violations were noted.
The inspections disclosed a need for better dairy plant housekeep- ing and improved in-place cleaning procedures.
Two new high temperature, short term pasteurizer installations were approved in local milk bottling plants.
The milk industry has increased the use of multiple quart packaging. Twenty-four-quart containers with plastic liners have replaced the familiar 20-quart metal cans for restaurant dispensers. Plastic-coated cartons have replaced the familiar waxed cartons, and a single-service gallon carton has been introduced/ ' Freshness of cream and other by-products continues to be a problem.
The field of restaurant and food sanitation has greatly improved. Sev- eral new firms with modern equipment and layouts have gone into business, and older firms have renovated their establishments. Two hundred and nine inspections of these establishments were made. The annual Food Handlers' Training School was held in April, and a special school held for supermarket employees of the Fernandes Chain. A lecture on emergency food and water supplies was given to Sturdy Hospital's senior nursing students. The super- markets and grocery stores were inspected for compliance with the new Frozen Food Law.
Public and private water supply inspection and laboratory analysis has become a major undertaking by our laboratory, with over 60 samples being analyzed per month.
Statistical Review
Number of milk plants under inspection
15
Number of inspections of these plants 28
Number of pasteurization plants in Attleboro 2
Number of milk, cream and ice cream samples and other dairy products collected and tested 213
9
Number of samples of public and private water supplies analyzed
741
Number of private wells condemned
5
Number of swimming pools under inspection (public) 7
Number of inspections of the seven pools 22
Number of eating and drinking establishments under inspection 77
Number of inspections of eating and drinking establishments 224
41
Number of product violations
Number of bakeries under inspection
66.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Agent continued-
Number of violations of standards for eating and drinking establishments 68
Number of Boarding and Convalescent Homes under inspection 7
Number of inspections of these seven Boarding and Convalescent Homes 4
Number of permits issued for private sewage installations 195
Number of inspections of sewage installations 184
Number of public health nuiscances investigated and set up for abatement 84
Number of garbage complaints received and reported to garbage contractor for his attention 259
Lectures were given to several interested groups on various health subjects, including application of the State Sanitary Code, modern private sewage disposal systems, water conservation and cooperative procedures for educational and health programs.
The increasing time required in licensing, inspecting and approving plans for the installation of private sewage systems and for checking percolation testing procedures points up anew the need for a full-time inspector for this work in conjunction with other municipal sewage and drain connection inspections.
Increased burdens in laboratory analyses and clerical work show the need of a full-time person to assist the department in these functions.
A look at the Attleboro population growth and the increased Health Department responsibilities over the past few years will certainly justify the above require- ments.
Respectfully submitted,
John R. Harvey, R. S. Health Agent.
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 1962:
Number of visits to and in behalf of tuberculosis cases 101
Number of visits to and in behalf of contacts of tuberculosis cases 43
Number of visits to and in behalf of suspicious tuberculosis cases 27 Number of visits to Bristol County Hospital with persons for x-ray follow-up and admittance 41
67.
Annual Report
Report of the Health Nurse continued-
Number of active pulmonary tuberculosis cases reported in 1962 1 Number of active non-pulmonary tuberculosis cases reported in 1962 1 Number of inactive tuberculosis cases reported in 1962 0 Number of tuberculosis deaths reported in 1962 0
Number of visits to and in behalf of other infectious diseases 22
Number of visits to and in behalf of services to crippled children 31
Number of visits to and in behalf of school children 203
Number of visits to and in behalf of non-communicable diseases 22
Other visits-check on biologicals at Sturdy Hospital, inspection of Day Care Agencies, premature baby program, social service, clinics, Health Department business, meetings attended, talks given TOTAL OF ALL VISITS 1001
509
(
Seven thousand, six hundred and fifty-eight children and adults received free polio inoculations at clinics sponsored by the Health Department. Four hundred and thirty-nine youngsters received protection against whooping cough, tetanus and diptheria at three Health Department sponsored clinics, and 58 city employees were given free flu shots.
All children of St. John and St. Joseph Schools were weighed and measured First grade children were given the Patch Test for tuberculosis.
A total of 11 tuberculosis patients from Attleboro received care and treatment at Bristol County Hospital during 1962, and 43 non-tuberculosis cases also re- ceived care and treatment at the same hospital.
Respectfully submitted, Dorothy McManus, R. N. Health Nurse.
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard Health Officer Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Doctor Girouard:
We herewith submit the annual report of the Dental Clinic for 1962.
In September, 1962, the school dental clinic carried out its annual inspection. An oral examination and classification with throat stick and flashlight were per- formed on 3624 children in grades one through six in nine public and two paro- chial schools.
68.
Annual Report
Report of the Dental Clinic Agent continued-
There were 2286 referrals of children requiring early dental care. Four hundred and nine applicants were accepted for treatment at the dental clinic.
During the year 1962, the school dental clinic had 1006 patient appointments at its clinics.
Principal treatments consisted of 849 radiographs, 571 extractions and 267 restorations.
Seventeen children were given minor orthodentia treatments to improve both appearance and dental health.
The dental hygienist also made 15 visits to the schools for special exams, and six 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.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Dr. F. L. Girouard Board of Health
Attleboro, Mass.
Dear Dr. Girouard:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for 1962.
Number of animals examined and quarantined for rabies, two visits each
109
Number of premises inspected for disease and sanitation (17 Dairy
36
Herds)-
Number of animals inspected at above premises:
Cattle-
349
Heifers
32
Calves
34
Bulls 1 1 I 1
3
Swine I
1027
(6 premises)
Steer I 1 L I 1
3
Horses
21
Goats
1
1 1
4
Sheep
1
1
1 1
1 1
6
1
1 I 1
1
1
1 1
69.
Annual Report
Report of the Animal Inspector continued-
Ten reports were checked for interstate shipment of cattle, and identification numbers were forwarded to the state.
Respectfully submitted, James C. DeWitt, D. V. M. Inspector of Animals and Slaughtering.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Dr. F. L. Girouard
Health Department, City Hall
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Dr. Girouard:
During the past year, 866 inspections were made by the Plumbing Inspectors, 182 by my assistant, Constant Poholek, and 684 by myself. These included 253 rough plumbing and 188 finish inspections and were as follows:
25 Tankless heaters
43 Electric heaters
38 Gas water heaters 8 Oil heaters
20 Sinks
23 Sewer connections
19 Lead wastes
35 Replacement of soil pipes
10 Dishwashers
64 Washing machines
66 Replacement of old fixtures
21 Water pipe replacements
3 Water cooling fixtures
20 Floor drains
7 Roof leaders
6 Range boilers
4 Dental units
4 Air conditioners.
It is my recommendation that fees be charged for all plumbing permits. This would make the Plumbing Inspectors job self-supporting.
Very truly yours, Allan A. Gross Plumbing Inspector.
70.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HSOPITAL 1962
To the Corporation Members, Trustees and the People of the Hospital Service Area:
As each new year arrives we look back to evaluate our health services to the communities we serve. Also, we look forward to immediate and long range im- provements .
Progress in hospital development is no different than in other fields of endeavor It depends upon People . Unlike a commercial venture, many people involved give of their time, means and energy without any thought of a monetary reward for their services Sturdy Hospital has been extremely fortunate throughout the 50 years of its existence in having many dedicated and capable people give their whole hearted support to the health needs of the area. Among these none has served with greater distinction than the late Mr Harold E. Sweet. Out of a very busy life he always gave Sturdy Hospital affairs the highest priority.
The Board of Managers has passed the following resolution:
Progress comes only through research and planning for the future. In this area the Board of Managers has moved to create a special committee to work with the hospital architectural and consulting firm of York and Sawyer of New York to study the future needs of our hospital. In addition to more beds we must also plan for additional facilities in X-Ray, Laboratory, Food Service, Laundry, and added per- sonnel. While some phases of our Master Planning can be put off to some future day, we are faced with some problems that indicate we must move promptly on some projects Our census at times now reaches a point where our occupancy in Medical- Surgical has exceeded 100% of our "normal" capacity.
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