USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1931 > Part 5
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Public health rules and regulations are made for the mutual protection of each and every individual in the community, and it becomes necessary for us to keep reminding and cautioning the sick, especially those quarantined with communicable diseases, about the pre- cious rights of others to be free from contamination be-
108
cause of willful neglect or careless disobedience of re- stricted families.
We wish to call particular attention to the fact that no cases of diphtheria have yet occurred among our immunized children and that this situation must have been to a large extent due to the program of toxin anti- toxin immunization. This work will be continued every year for pre-school children and others who wish to take advantage of same.
Table Showing Number of Contagious Diseases Reported Each Month for the Year Ending December 31, 1931
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Total
Chicken Pox
3
0
5
1
0
Diphtheria
0
0
0
0
1
3
0
5
4
2
4
2
0 23
German Measles
0
0
0
3
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
Measles
4
0
4 40 16
8
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1 33
Typhoid
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
Whooping Cough
3
0
0
0
0
Anterior Poliomyelitis
0
0
0 0
0
3 0
0 0
0 0
0 1
0 0
0 0
0
1
Erysipelas
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
1
Totals
14 7 16 48 28 19
6 9 7 8 13 41 216
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 74
Meningitis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
7
0
5
4
3
0
0 1
Dog Bite
1
0
2
0
0 .0
0
0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0
0 0 10 38 53
Tuberculosis
1
3
2
4
1 1
Scarlet Fever
0
2
2
Our tuberculosis program is well known; the efforts we employ, the clinics that are available, and the suc- cess of conscientious patients is of sufficient magnitude that students of this illness realize what is daily being done for those suffering with this ailment.
There is much evidence that the campaign against tuberculosis has been notably successful. The disease,
0 0
0
1
10
0 8
Lobar Pneumonia
1
2
Mumps
0
0 0
0 6
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however, is still with us and must be fought all the time. Nearly one half of our department appropriation is now required for tuberculosis prevention, and the care of cases. In addition to this expenditure the town's share for maintenance of the county hospitals amounted in 1931 to $2,307.69.
The Board takes an active interest in all cases re- ported or discovered and adopts immediate measures to safeguard the patient and to protect from infection those who are in immediate contact. The nurse visits each case as soon as reported, and cooperates with the attending physician in the care of the patient and his or her probable transfer to a hospital. In practically all cases, hospitalization is urged for the patient's best interests, for the protection of the immediate family, and of the community. Few cases indeed in the town are cared for in the homes, and no open cases are al- lowed to live in contact with small children. After hospital care has been provided for the tuberculosis patient, the contact cases in the family are watched carefully. These contacts in the home are visited fre- quently by the nurse, and those not under immediate care of a physician are examined periodically in the clinic which is held each month at the Milford Hospital for that purpose. Records of the clinic are kept in numbered folders of the physical examinations and x-rays and progress of all tuberculosis cases and of all contacts. Admissions to sanatoria, and discharges therefrom are recorded.
The following licenses were granted :
UNDERTAKERS
Collins W. Bouck Joseph Edwards
Arthur J. Heroux A. De Pasquale Co.
Walter W. Watson
SLAUGHTER HOUSE
Cesare Cavigioli
Abraham Rosenfield
Thomas Manguso
110
MASSAGE Henry W. Gilbert
ICE CREAM MANUFACTURING Gilmore Confectionary Co. Thedore Samaris
GARBAGE COLLECTIONS Harold Shaughnessy Daniel Schiappucci
MANICURISTS
Federica Cavazza
Christine Fasco
Vera M. White
David Kalpakgan
Catherine Elwell
Delina Salari
Ruth Appleton
Grace Roche
Ruth Ingalls
Edith Galley
Emma Collabello
Helen Aftuch
Anne Dineen
Mary C. Olgiati
Helen M. Feeley
Mary Gritte
Margaret Walpole
Marie Kapatoes
DENATURED ALCOHOL
William H. Casey
Niro & Niro
T. E. Morse Co.
Rosenfeld Garage
Gulf Refining Co.
Inar Johnson Motor Co.
Fred A. Gould
Joseph Fahey
Angelo Trotta
Knowles Chevrolet
Jesse Perkins
Eldredge & Son
Milford, Fram. & Uxbridge James B. Lester Coach Co.
Herman Ryan
Clark & Shaughnessy
Mack Mann
Axel Pearson
Patrick Nargi
Peter Berttorelli
Sam Goldburg
Armino Francesconi
Hannaford Auto Service Co.
L. Luchini
Thomas Manguso
A. F. Scruton Edward Glennon
Frank Cavino
Michael Calzone
Cedar St. Filling Station
Dominick Carchio
Paul Trantwine
A. S. Antolini Joseph Brown Glen Wright
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Frank Marshall
Sherman Motor Co.
H. S. Chadbourne
C. C. Permanes
Joseph P. White
Harold O'Brien
Central Super Service Sta.
John Marcone
Standard Oil Co.
Eastern Paint Co.
Mansion House Garage
Amount collected for license fees, $78.00
Amount collected for plumbing permits from
July 1 to Dec. 31, $74.00
Amount collected for reimbursements, $538.03
Amount due from State for reimbursements, $826.06
The granting by the State of three licenses to board infants was approved.
FINANCES
In all probability the financial condition of public departments will be of outstanding interest to every taxpayer.
In the early year of 1931 this department estimated that the sum of $10,500.00 would be required to take care of public health work. We were actually granted $8,500.00 on our original budget, but were later forced to ask for an additional sum, $2,000.00, which was granted from the reserve fund, and in November $4,500.00 more were appropriated, making a total appro- priation of $15,000.00. It is almost impossible to con- vey to the citizens the difficulties that confront public health authorities in determining the actual amount of money necessary to protect the people from the ravages of disease during any specific period of time. There is no person capable of predicting what may happen through unforeseen epidemics, we have only to try and use as a basis for estimates the amount spent for a similar purpose during the preceding year. Many peo- ple do not realize that our work is of dual capacity- to prevent the onset of sickness, and in the event of its occurrence, to stem the tide of actual suffering and pos-
112
sible death. The law does not give us much choice in the matter as it states in no uncertain terms that "The Board of Health shall examine into all nuisances, source of filth and causes of sickness within its town and shall destroy, remove or prevent the same as the case may require."
In the first instance it is absolutely necessary for us to maintain a sufficiently large enough staff to carry out the law and we can govern our finances accordingly on this point.
However, in the second instance, a great problem arises and we are frequently obligated to take care of many hospital and quarantine cases that we had no way of knowing would occur when estimating our budget.
For the year 1932 we are asking for a total appropria- tion of $15,000, the same as the past year, and trust that the willingness of the citizens of Milford to abide by and assist in carrying out public health rules and regulations will enable us to not only live within our estimate but also help us to return a substantial unex- pended balance at the end of the year.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$15,000.00
Board of Health
$283.33
Clerk
250.00
Nurse
999.98
Physician
600.00
Sanitary inspector
300.00
Slaughtering inspector
1,310.75 .
Garbage .
. 2,000.00
Contagious diseases
989.16
Tuberculosis
. 6,280.53
Automobile hire
323.85
Telephone 72.25
Incidentals
125.94
Dairy inspections
38.50
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Return of deaths and births 149.25
Animal burial . 44.50
Toxin and anti-toxin 93.75
Total expenditure
13,861.79
Unexpended balance 1,138.21
$15,000.00
OUR MILK SUPPLY
It is difficult to make progress along certain lines of public health activity unless the public itself demands protection; concerning the milk supply the average citi- zen is to say the least complacent.
Milk is, we are certain, a medium through which much disease may be spread and epidemics may be originated. An adequate supervision of its production and sale should be maintained in the interests of public safety. A town ordinance requiring all milk sold here to be produced from tuberculin tested accredited herds or to be pastuerized is badly needed. Many towns throughout the State have adopted such requirements.
Provision for an inspector of milk would enable the department to create and enforce such an ordinance. There would naturally follow a more rigid inspection of dairies and improved cleanliness in handling milk.
In its aim to carry out some of the measures out- lined to insure a safer and better milk supply the atti- tude of the health department in the matter it is hoped will not be misinterpreted. The department is anxious to eliminate any idea of "police power" from all branches of its work, and to become a more efficient service organization acting in an advisory and helpful capacity to the milk producer.
CONCLUSION
Throughout what has been one of the most depress- ing years from an industrial viewpoint in the history of Milford, this department has refrained from alarm- ing the citizens regarding the dangers of disease and
114
its resulting toll of suffering and possible death. Not that it was at times we did not have ample reason to view with fear and trembling what results of curtailed employment might bring in the way of epidemics. It was not that but more than once we were awed by the thoughts of what undernourishment, cold firesides, low- ered vitality etc., might bring to the homes of our peo- ple and their families. We dreaded these facts and being fearful and alarmed were constantly ready for any calamity or emergency that might occur. However, we escaped any of the vital illnesses that might have happened as a result of the economic abyss that was confronting the people of the town.
Industrial depressions, causing lack of food, cloth- ing and fuel, and mental anxiety, always have a direct bearing on the physical prosperity of any community. Loss of employment necessarily means lack of purchas- ing power, and part time labor always indicates and causes a curtailment in food supplies. These happen- ings inevitably result in the breaking down of physical stamina and usually bring on grave illnesses, sometimes occasioning wide-sweeping and fatal epidemics.
Notwithstanding these various trials Milford did not suffer from any serious communicable diseases dur- ing the past year. We do not infer that anything this department did or was prepared to do, caused our gen- eral good fortune in the eliminating of diseases or epi- demics, because we know only too well that the happy results achieved were largely due to the fore-sightedness and intelligence of the townspeople with their willing- ness and eagerness to assist and cooperate with this board and its staff of health workers in the performance of our duties.
For the sick in any community there is sorrow, for those who pass on there always remains sincere regret and deep feelings of remorse that the advice and the
115
ready assistance of duly constituted officials were ne- glected until it was too late to be of real material help.
We want to thank all semi-official agencies for their kind help during the past year and as a last word to the people of the town we ask for the continued confidence already demonstrated, in order that Milford may con- tinue to rightfully occupy its proper place among the healthiest municipalities in Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR J. CHAMBERS CLIFTON TYLER JAMES CERVONE
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
During the year 1931 the following number of per- mits to perform plumbing were granted to licensed plumbers and after being inspected were approved on the following fixtures: Toilets 34, bath tubs 24, lava- tories 27, sinks 36, kitchen boilers 7, wash tubs 14, uri- nals 7, refrigerators 1.
There was an unusual number of complaints and investigations .this year, partly on account of addition to plumbing rules in July of this year. One plumber, after a hearing before the State Plumbing Board had his license suspended and another is now awaiting trial on charges of violation of rules. With the cooperation of the public in letting their work to licensed plumbers only, much of this trouble can be avoided and their own interests better protected.
Respectfully, JOHN E. HIGGISTON M. J. QUINLAN Inspectors
116
REPORT OF MEAT, PROVISIONS AND SLAUGH- TERING INSPECTOR
Following is a report on animals slaughtered in licensed slaughter houses in Milford and inspected by me.
Hogs
Cattle
Calves
Sheep
July .
167
129
214
1
August
285
166
189
3
September
302
178
216
October
211
222
170
November
242
145
201
December
234
198
143
Of this number 21 were found to be unfit for food and were condemned, according to Mass. health laws.
JEREMIAH U. MACCHI.
The Honorable Board of Health:
I beg to report the inspection of the following num- ber of animals, which were killed at the three (3) slaughter houses for human consumption : Cows 335, calves 594, pigs 720, sheep 30.
Respectfully yours,
DR. B. F. HARTMAN, Inspector of Meats.
Cattle slaughtered under my inspection for January, February and March, 1931.
Cows
Calves
Hogs
Total
January .
108
163
272
543
February
180
223
431
834
March
118
201
256
575
Total
1952
EDWARD J. O'SULLIVAN, Inspector of Slaughtering.
117
HEALTH INSPECTOR'S REPORT FOR 1931 To the Board of Health:
The following is the list of contagious diseases placarded :
Diphtheria 1
Measles
73
Scarlet fever 47
Whooping cough
5
Fumigation
52
Garbage
5
Complaints
54
Dumps
6
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES F. McDONOUGH,
Inspector.
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH PHYSICIAN
With the assistance of the school nurse, approxi- mately 750 children were examined in St. Mary's and Sacred Heart schools for signs of contagious and infec- tious diseases. At the same time condition of teeth, tonsils, nutrition or abnormalities were noted.
During March the schools were visited because of the prevalence of measles; some suspicious cases were excluded; and homes visited of those who could not bear the medical expense, and many cases of measles were found and isolated. Likewise the milk supply of these cases was contacted. At other times during the year visits were made to weed out possible carriers or un- discovered scarlet fever cases.
On July 6, 7, 8, 9, the vaccination clinic was held in Dewey Hall, and about 200 children vaccinated. See report of school nurse.
On Sept. 23rd. Milford had its only case of anterior polio-myelitis. The patient was a three-year-old girl.
118
Investigation was instituted as soon as the case was reported to the Board of Health, the child hospitalized, and all contacts visited.
January 14, a special clinic for the inoculation of those who missed their 3rd. inoculation was held in the dental clinic room, Mrs. Anna McKenna and Mrs. Mary Naughton, school nurses, assisting. There were 35 who needed this inoculation of toxin anti-toxin.
This year the program was for pre-school and first graders and a clinic was conducted in Dewey Hall De- cember 7, 14, 21, and 28, and 179 were inoculated. Seventeen missed their third so these were given by their family physician or the board of health physician. Milford had but one reported case of diphtheria, and this patient had not been inoculated. The disease was noticeably low in those towns in Massachusetts where the anti-diphtheric treatment had been given.
The T. B. clinic held at the Milford Hospital is prov- ing its worth to those taking advantage of the same. It has a wonderful layout, with excellent silent examina- tion room, waiting room for the patients, and X-Rays are taken and developed on the premises. It is one of the best clinics in the State. In the report of the Board of Health nurse on this clinic will be noticed the number of cases discovered, and early hospitalization rendered thereby giving them a chance for recovery, not to men- tion the advantage of removing them from the house- hold as contacts, lessening the possibility of the spread of this disease.
F. H. LALLY, M. D., Physician to Board.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health:
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year 1931. Preventing diseases, as much as pos- sible is the aim of the Board of Health. However, the
119
cooperation of the public is absolutely necessary to ac- complish this.
ST. MARY'S AND SACRED HEART SCHOOLS
Assisted Board of Health Doctor with examinations
Number of children weighed and measured 744
Number of children underweight 48
Number of children showing gain 40
Number of children needing teeth correction 173
Number of children attending eye clinic . 8
Number of children with abnormal tonsils . 68
Number of children having tonsils corrected 11
Number of children having teeth corrected . 75
Much has been done to correct these defects, and we know the parents are co-operating as much as pos- sible.
VACCINATION
Public vaccination was held July 6, 7, 8, 9, by Dr. Lally, assisted by the Board of Health Nurse.
Number of children vaccinated,
202
TOXIN ANTI TOXIN
Toxin Anti Toxin clinics were held in Town Hall Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28.
Number of children receiving three inoculations, 159
Number of children receiving two inoculations, 17
Dr. Lally was in charge, assisted by Miss Christine Higgins, Sect. of the So. Worcester Health Association, Mrs. Mary Naughton, School Nurse, Miss Helen Grady of the District Nursing Association, and the local Board of Health Nurse. Mrs. Beatrice Lally was in charge of the records.
The toxin-anti toxin clinic last year stimulated par- ents to demand this treatment for their children. In consideration of the fact the Health Department plan to have one large clinic every year, for the preven- tion of diphtheria.
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CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Number of scarlet fever cases reported 53
Number of measles cases reported 74
Number of diphtheria cases reported 1
Number of chicken pox cases reported . 10
Number of mumps cases reported
1
A home call was made on each reported case by the Board of Health Nurse.
One case of Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) was reported, and an inspection of seven homes, where nine- teen children had been in contact with the patient, was made by Dr. Lally, and the Board of Health Nurse.
A clinic was held, September 10, at the Milford Hos- pital where eight patients who had previously had In- fantile Paralysis contributed blood to help others. This clinic was conducted by Dr. H. M. De Wolfe, Epidemolo- gist of the State Department of Public Health; Dr. Lally, Board of Health Doctor; and two nurses from the Mil- ford Hospital, and also the local Board of Health Nurse assisted.
CONSULTATION CLINIC
Consultation chest clinics were held the second Wed- nesday of each month, at the Milford Hospital. Drs. Dufault and La Roche from the Rutland State Sanato- rium were the examining physicians, assisted by Miss Helen Reilly, Field Nurse, and Miss Nichols, Nutrition- ist, from the State Department of Public Health. Two student nurses from the Milford Hospital, and the local Board of Health Nurse, also assisted.
Number of patients examined from Milford 99
Number of patients from other towns 104
Number of Von Pirquet Skin Tests 19
TUBERCULOSIS WORK
Total number of patients admitted to hospital in 1930 11
121
Total number of patients admitted to hospital in
1931 . 20
Total number of patients now in hospital 17
Total number of reported cases during 1931 33
Total number of reported cases now at home . 52 Total number of deaths at State Sanatoriums . 7
Total number of deaths at home
6
Total number of patients returned from hospital 7
Total number of visits made by Board of Health Nurse 275
The cure of tuberculosis depends on early diagnosis. The individual who suffers from a prolonged cough or cold, or loss of weight, night sweats, tired feeling or who for any reason feels below par physically should con- sult his family physician.
Treatment at a sanatorium is always recommended, when possible, because patients are taught to take care of themselves and instructed to recognize new symp- toms.
Respectfully submitted, ANNA M. McKENNA, Board of Health Nurse.
Mr. Arthur W. Chambers, Sec. Board of Health, Dear Sir:
In submitting the report of the Dental Clinic opera- tions for the year 1931, we wish to stress the need of necessary instrument replacements. In view of the fact that almost two hundred and fifty dollars are being returned to the town treasurer from the income of the Clinic, we respectfully suggest an extra hundred dollars be added to the appropriation for the Clinic this year.
The following report gives the nature and number of operations performed, the number of visits, and the amount of money collected from the children for the year ending Dec. 24, 1931.
122
Extractions
Fillings
Month
Decid-
uous Teeth
Perma-
nent Teeth
Treatments
Decid-
uous Teeth
Perma-
nent Teeth
Prophylactic
Treatments
Operations
Number of
January
108
5
138
75
118
64
508
407
February
97
14
104
41
123
54
433
331
March
148
16
166
61
154
105
650
506
April
167
12
103
45
121
97
545
396
May
120
8
132
101
130
89
580
450
June
107
11
121
39
90
125
499
386
September
60
1
28
38
37
68
232
125
October
172
6
85
77
139
82
561
354
November
145
14
68
45
94
56
422
305
December
99
19
62
44
124
46
394
278
Total
1223
106
1007
566
1136
786
4824
3538
Amount collected from children at ten cents per visit.
January
$25.95
February
23.95
March
36.15
April
29.30
May
32.45
June
25.52
September
7.30
October
26.23
November
22.75
December
20.15
Total
$249.75
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. CLANCY, D. M. D., F. X. KELLEY, D. D. S., Clinicians.
Total
Pulp
Visits
ยท
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Board of Selectmen of Milford, Mass .:
GENTLEMEN-I have the honor to submit a report of the duties performed by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1931.
Total number of arrests.
237
Males
226
Females
6
Juveniles
5
Guilty
183
Not guilty
13
Released without arraignment.
18
Discharged
17
Fined
94
Held for Grand Jury
7
Sentenced to House of Correction
39
Sentenced to State Farm
9
Placed on Probation
17
Filed
29
Appealed
5
Sentenced to Lyman School.
1
Assault and battery
18
Adultery
1 41
Auto violations
Alien firearms
2
Bastardy
1
Breaking and entering
7
Carrying concealed weapons
1
Criminal libel.
1
Disturbing the peace.
1
False alarm of fire.
3
Keeping liquor
2
124
Larceny 27
Manslaughter
1
Non-support
4
Driving so as to endanger
2
Operating under the influence of liquor
12
Drunkenness
95
Present at gaming
25
Malicious injury to property
6
Suspended sentence
27
Obscene language.
1
Accidents investigated.
145
Red light calls answered.
450
Cruelty to animals
2
Search warrants
11
Violate probation
1
Vagrants
4
Keeping gaming implements
1
Insane commitments
8
Aiding out of town officers.
57
On February 23rd. Ernest Lombardi was added to the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MOLONEY,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I would submit the following report of the Wire In- spection Department for the year 1931 :
Certificates issued for-
54 meters for lighting in finished buildings.
8 meters for lighting in new buildings.
34 meters for power in all classes.
4 buildings rough wired and not completed.
17 changes in services and extensive additions.
The volume of work seems to remain about the same as last year, but the steadily increasing use of oil burners and appliances of a heavy nature has required much supervision.
There has been a considerable increase in "miscella- neous energy" meters in residences, to care for this in- creased use of appliances.
I regret to report that occasionally alterations in build- ings, additions to existing wiring, or fire, have revealed very bad "home made" wiring in the way of extensions. Such practices, and the use of oversize or doctored fuses, are very dangerous and a false idea of economy.
Not with any desire to create a controversy, I had re- cently to take issue with State Inspector Molt in regard to the cause of one fire which I was convinced, after careful investigation, was not due to electrical causes. While I do not wish to shift any responsibility, I regret anything that may cause timid people to fear one of the safest of the modern servants of mankind.
The principal addition to industrial electrical equip- ment during the year was the plant of the Haskell Com-
126
pany, and that made necessary the construction of a high tension line, on private way, to supply it. This, and a few extensions on streets not before served, have com- prised the additional line construction of the year.
The line structures of both Public Service Companies are in very good condition.
A new issue of the National Electric Code is to go into effect at once, and the Milford Electric Light and Power Co. has just issued a new book of regulations which it is hoped will still further add to the safety and reliabil- ity of future work.
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