USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1934 > Part 4
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No. of children found improved on the following-up of previous year 4
Appointments were made with all parents to be present with their children, in order to give them a chance to consult the examining physician. These forty-five children require a strict follow-up; this means weighing and measuring each month and a close check on their diet and amount of rest recom- mended at the clinic.
These records must be kept from year to year, as each year these children have the privilege of re-ex- amination by a physician from the State Department of Public Health.
The findings of these cases will be forwarded to the family physician of each child.
Mrs. Mary Naughton, R. N., Public School Nurse and I worked together at the clinics in both Public and Parochial Schools.
Report of the Re-examinations of the Children in the
Schools of Milford
No. of children recommended for re-examination 20
No. of children re-examined 20
No. of children improved 20
No. of children tested 18
No. of children reactors 13
No. of children X-rayed 20
No. of children discharged from the Clinic 2
No. of new cases 2
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Contagious Diseases
No. of Scarlet Fever cases reported 46
No. of Measle Cases reported 75
No. of German Measle Cases reported 3
No. of Whooping Cough Cases reported
28.
No. of Chicken Pox Cases reported
2
No. of Diphtheria Cases reported
0
No. of Infantile Paralysis Cases reported
0
No. of Syphilis Cases reported
2
No. of Typhoid Fever Cases reported
1
No. of visits made to Worcester City Out-Patient Department
5.
The above is the Genitor Urinary Clinic.
No. of Visits made on delinquent cases 5
No. of Home Visits made on Contagious Disease- 335
A home visit was made on all reported cases, to pre- vent the spread of disease. Through the teaching of isolation, quarantine, and immunization, same was ac- complished. The Physician reports the case to the Board of Health first.
The Nurse then goes to the home, obtains the his- tory of the patient and family and if there are children in school the history card will tell where and what grade they are in at the time. This information is. forwarded to the schools, in order that no child who is a contact to a communicable disease, may be ad- initted until they can show a card signed by their physician and the Board of Health Physician. A no- tice is also sent to the Library. A personal contact is made with the Milk Dealer, regarding the restriction of Milk Jars. I wish to state, at this time, that this. rule has been well carried out.
Diphtheria Immunization
The Milford Board of Health have conducted their fourth annual clinic for the immunization and control of diphtheria. Since 1930, four thousand six hundred and forty-five children have been inoculated against
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Diphtheria. Clinics were held in our local Town Hall, under date of November 8th, 15th, 22nd, and Decem- ber 6th.
No. of children having three inoculations 245
No. of children having less than three 25
Assisting Dr. Francis H. Lally were Mrs. Anna Mc- Kenna, Board of Health Nurse; Miss Helen Grady, R. N. Supervisor; Miss Ann Edwards, R. N., of the Dis- trict Nursing Association; also Mrs. Mary Naughton, R. N., School Nurse. Miss Mary E. Mongeau of the Milford Hospital was very kind in giving us the serv- ices of two nurses at each of the four clinics. Mrs. Beatrice Lally was in charge of all records.
Released Typhoid Carrier
The following is a copy of a letter received by this Department, October 23, 1934, from the State Com- missioner of Public Health, Henry D. Chadwick, M. D. October 23, 1934. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
In July, 1928, a young patient, then aged four, had typhoid fever, which resulted in the establishment of a permanent carrier condition. On August 28th, 1933, he underwent gall bladder removal, in order to achieve a cure of this condition. For a few weeks im- mediately following his operation typhoid organisms were occasionaly found in stool specimens. During the past year nineteen stool specimens have been ex- amined in the Department Laboratory, all of which were found to be free of typhoid organisms. On Sep- tember 5th, 1934, a specimen of bile, obtained by duodenal tube by a representative of the Depart- ment, was likewise found to be free of typhoid organ- isms. A urine specimen taken on the same day was also negative for typhoid.
In view of the facts stated in this letter the Depart- ment of Public Health is of the opinion that this pa- tient is no longer a Typhoid Fever Carrier. Accord- ingly, his name is today being removed from the list
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of typhoid carriers and the Department will subject him to no further supervision as such.
Very truly yours, HENRY D. CHADWICK, M. D. Vaccination Clinic
A Vaccination Clinic was held in Town Hall, July 5th and 7th. Francis H. Lally, M. D., and Board of Health Physician was in charge and was assisted by the Board of Health Nurse.
No. of school children vaccinated 135
No. of pre-school children vaccinated 12
Consultation Tuberculosis : State Department of Health and Milford Board of Health
A Consultation Chest Clinic was held the second Wednesday of each month, at the Milford Hospital, Milford, Massachusetts, with Doctors Dufault and Laroche, from the Rutland State Sanatorium, were the examining Physicians and who were assisted by Miss Helen Rielly, R. N., State Consultant on Tuberculosis ; two student nurses from the Milford Hospital, Milford, Massachusetts, and the Board of Health Nurse. A complete report of the findings are forwarded to the Physicians sending in the patient.
The doctors from the State Sanatorium and the vis- iting nurses, by their co-operation with the local Board of Health, have made this clinic of great value.
Miss Helen Rielly, R. N., State Consultant, has and is working faithfully in Milford, Massachusetts, and also the twenty-four towns this clinic serves.
It is well to remember that any lasting benefit which may be conferred upon the Tuberculosis patients. un- der the present method of treatment of the disease, will be the result of a process of education. The clinic is an important and a strategic place for coordinating the teaching of the physician and the nurse, in such a way that the lessons taught will be of lasting value to the patient.
The following is a complete report of the clinic :
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REPORT.
| January
| February
| March
! April
May
| June
| July
| August
| October
8 | November
December Total
Patients examined,
19|28 30 32 15 24 31 : 9
19
24 19,313
New Patients
3 11 21:20| 9 14 13 17
Patients re-examined
16 17
6 10
18 22
9
X-Rays taken
Childhood Type
1
2
4' 1
1
2
10
Contacts examined
Generalized Miliary Type found
Advised Bronchoscophic Treatment
4
Recommended for Lipiodol injec- tion at Rutland
3
1
1
1
6
Recommended for Sanatorium Residents
10 18 17 26
9
7 9 10 8 3| 6 10 133
Non-Residents
9 10,13
6 6 17 22 29 11 21:27 9 180
Recommended by
Child Guardianship
6|11 4 2
5
5
2 11| 8| 4 6
1
0
Physicians
13 8 11 13 7
9
2 2 7 11 10 6 11 102
4
8
Towns Represented :
Caryville Framingham
Franklin
Grafton
Hopedale
Hopkinton
Medway
Mendon
Medfield
Manchaug
Milford
Millis
Millville
North Attleboro
Natick
Northboro
Sherborn
Southboro
Southville
Uxbridge
West Upton
Westboro
Woonsocket, R. I.
Wrentham
2
1
1
3
6
0 1 1 4 2
64
Public Welfare
0 1 1| 1 7 17 16 14 1 1
1
1
7 16
0 11 ,8 5 6 15
-
12
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
1
1
H
Recommended Nasopharynk by a Laryngologist
1 2
1 1
2 24
Superintendent of Milford Hos- pital
23 8| 219
8 22 24 25 11 18 25 21 14 18 1| 1
3,160
.1|15 8 10 16 133
0 7 129 1
1
c | September
88
Tuberculosis Follow-up
Tuberculosis is a communicable disease, which directly concerns the Welfare of every member of the community. It is both preventable and curable. In- fants and young children are particularly susceptible in that they have little or no resistance. Examination of all individuals who have been in contact with an open case of tuberculosis is one of the most successful ways of finding the early case, for whom so much can be done.
No. of Pulmonary Cases reported 16
No. of Hilum Cases reported 30
No. of Generalized Miliary Type found 1
No. of Sputum specimens obtained on request of
local physicians and forwarded to the State De- partment of Public Health 21
No. of Sputums reported positive 6
No. of Sputums reported negative 15
No. of patients admitted to the Sanatorium 13
No: of patients discharged from the Sanatorium
8
No. of deaths 12
No. of patient now at the Sanatorium 17
Five of this number are State Minor Wards.
No, of patients at home, under supervision
91
Four of this number are also State Minor Wards,
and are under the supervision of their own visitor.
Patients moved out of town 4
A report is forwarded to the State Department of Public Health, also the local Board of Health to which town the patient removes to. This is requested by the State Board of Health, to report a removal of all per- sons having a contagious disease.
Patients discharged, Non-Tuberculosis 2
Von-Pirquets read and reported to Dr. E. Glidden of the Worcester County Sanatorium 2 No. of Home Visits made 421
All ex-sanatorium patients report for re-examina-
89
tion at the Milford Board of Health Consultation Clinic, which is held at the Milford Hospital, Milford, Massachusetts, or the Worcester County Sanatorium, on the advice of their physician.
No. of patients advised continued pneumothorax
treatment on discharge at the Worcester Coun- - ty Sanatorium 2
No. of children admitted to the Sterling Health Camp for three weeks 3
No. of conferences held with Miss Helen Rielly, R. N., State Consultant on Tuberculosis 26
No. of Health meetings attended 6
No. of conferences held with Miss Eleanor Han- son, R. N., Southern Worcester Health Nurse 4
No. of conferences held with Dr. Oscar Dudley, State Health Officer 6
In concluion, I wish to thank Miss Mary E. Mon- geau, R. N., Superintendent of the Milford Hos- pital, Milford, Massachusetts; Miss Helen Grady, R. N., Supervisor of the District Nursing Association ; Mrs. Mary Naughton, School Nurse, and the public, who have given me their utmost co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA M. McKENNA,
Board of Health Nurse.
REPORT OF DENTAL CLINIC
To the Honorable Board of Health, Gentlemen:
In submitting the record of operations, attendance and amount of money collected at the Dental Clinic, conducted, under your supervision, for the school chil- dren of the first four grades, I wish to again recom- mend that you ask for an increase of one thousand dollars in the appropriation for this purpose. This increase would restore the appropriation to the amount
11
90
formerly made for the Dental Clinic, and would per- mit you to appoint two dentists for this work, and thereby make the clinic service available to all the grade school children. The increasing number of re- quests for sadly-needed dental care among children in the upper grades, who are now excluded from the clinic, since curtailment of operating time, prompts me to make this request.
Record of Operations
Extractions-Deciduous teeth 867
Extractions-Permanent teeth 30
Treatments 449
Fillings-Deciduous teeth 290
Fillings-Permanent teeth 306
Prophylactic Treatments 229
Total number of operations 2,171
Total number of visits 1,617
Amount collected-10c per visit $95.10
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM J. CLANCY, D. M. D.,
Clinician.
Report of the Board of Public Welfare.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Voters of Milford :
The Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1934:
In rendering the report for the year of 1934, it will be observed that expenditures have decreased from $128,545.54, in 1933, to $82,940.69, in 1934.
Expenses have been kept as low as appeared to be consistent with proper care. We have throughout the year favored the policy of economy, not because we wish to save money, but because we wish to help the taxpayer.
The decrease in expenditures is partially due to the employment of able-bodied workers on the E.R.A. No better evidence is needed to prove that welfare lists can be reduced when work is offered.
It is our belief that the feeling throughout the Town of Milford, at present, is generally one of helpfulness and determination, to proceed more actively in the coming year, that all of this points to an increase in activities and should be the means of bringing about a substantial improvement, making 1935 a much bet- ter year in this department than any of its preceding years.
Federal Surplus-Relief Commodities
On January 15, 1934, this department hired the Swift Beef House, on Central Street, for the purpose of handling these commodities. Milford was the cen- ter for fourteen towns, including Hopedale, Mendon, Uxbridge, Upton, Blackstone, Millville, Northbridge,
92
Bellingham, Franklin, Wrentham, Norfolk, Medway, and Millis.
On August 23, 1934, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration of Massachusetts, under the direction of C. W. Dunn, Director of Commodity Distribution, appointed two supervisors to have charge of this Com- missary No. 19, relieving this department of the re- spo sibility of the other thirteen towns.
This department has expended close to $1,500 out of its regular appropriation, in order to keep this Commissary functioning, and each one of the thirteen towns are charged with their proportional share for the up-keep of this project.
The first commodity handled by this administration was salt pork, taken over from the Agricultural Ad- justment Administration, then smoked pork, canned beef, flour, cereal food, beans, eggs, butter, cheese, apples, rice, veal, potatoes, and clothing.
The primary purpose of this department is to apply these surplus agricultural and other products in the form of foodstuffs, clothing, fuel and otherwise to the reliof of hardship and suffering caused by unemploy- ment,
At the end of this fiscal year this branch of service is issting weekly, at the Commissary, the above to the following :
Over 300 E.R.A. workers are receiving these sup- plies, over 200 welfare recipients, and better than 100 non-relief cases are being cared for through the different private agencies.
Civilian Conservation Corps-1934
Under the provisions of the Act of Congress, ap- proved March 31, 1933, relative to Civilian Conserva- tion Corps, the allotment to the Town of Milford was fifteen. who were physically fit, unemployed and un- married, between the ages of 18 and 25 (both inclus- ive), who were citizens of the United States, and who had dependents and who wish to allot to these depend-
93
ents a substantial portion of the $30 monthly cash allowance.
The following is a report of how this project now stands at the end of our fiscal year:
Quota for the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 15
Number sent
15
Number rejected
1
Number sent to replace the one applicant rejected
0
Number now at Camp
9
Receiving assistance
0
Outsiders
9
Number discharged for the following reasons:
Desertion 2
Employment
1
Stiff-Leg
1
Termination of enrollment 2
Number now at Camp, from 1933 quota
0
Quota for the Town of Milford, Mass., 1933 54
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Receipts
Appropriation $90,000.00
Sundry accounts refunded 337.25 $90,337.25
On December 10, 1934, the voters of Milford voted to transfer from
appropriation for Public Wel-
fare to the appropriation for Cedar
Street Construction, Chapter 90,
the sum of $3,000.00 $3,000.00 $87,337.25
1
Expenditures
Support of inmates, Town In- firmary $15,761.72
Relief in families, General Aid Cases 30,773.57
Relief in families, Mothers' Aid
15,376.90
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Relief of persons, Old Age Assistance Cases 21,028.50
$82,940.69
Unexpended balance, December
31, 1934 4,396.56 $87,337.25
Outside Relief
The total expenditure for outside relief was $30,- 773.57, a decrease over 1933 of $39,205.43.
In this branch of the department, with federal aid, our unemployment problem seems less difficult than it has been in the past.
In April, 1934, when E.R.A. was first instituted, Mil- ford's monthly allotment was $15,000.00.
By constant demands this amount has gradually been raised until for January, 1935, the federal gov- ernment has allotted $18,000.00 with which to put unemployment to work in Milford and this, in turn, means that hundreds of men, who were forced to ac- cept Welfare Aid, are now being employed under the E.R.A.
Old Age Assistance
The total expenditure for Old Age Assistance was $21,028.50, a decrease over 1933 of $1,097.53.
The Old Age Assistance law, which became, oper- ative on July 1, 1931, has already proven itself to give assistance to more people than any other piece of new legislation with which this department has been con- cerned since the enactment of Mothers' Aid law, in 1913.
The Bureau of Old Age Assistance is growing rap- idly and again this year we point out to the voters of · Milford that it will be a grave problem to finance it, as we feel that the peak in this form of assistance has not been reached. The reason for the decrease in ex- penditure this year is that we are carrying six Old Age Assistance cases in other Cities and Towns and up to
95
the time our books were closed these Cities and Towns failed to bill us.
Mothers' Aid
The total expenditure for Mothers' Aid was $15,- 376.90, a decrease over 1933 of $4,632.60.
The Federal Emergency measures are the cause of the decreases in this department .. The older boys of the recipients of Mothers' Aid were sent to the Civil- ian Conservation Corps and this made it possible to reduce their monthly allotment at least $25 a month while they were at camp.
The E.R.A. projects for women have provided sew- ing and clerical work for a few Mothers' Aid recipi- ents, who have received $12.00 a week for the work, and this has either closed these cases or greatly re- duced the allowance during the period of employ- ment.
The fine work which has been done by various so- cial agencies and by churches, has greatly lifted the burden from this department and is to be highly com- mended.
Indoor Relief
The total number of persons having a legal settle- ment in the Town of Milford, who received indoor relief for whole, or part of the year, including those in the Town Infirmary and State Infirmary, was 88.
We had twelve boarders with other City and Town settlements at the Town Infirmary. There were four cases for Blackstone, two cases from Mendon, three cases from Hopedale, one case from Millville, and two cases from Bellingham. In other institutions we had two cases at Mt. St. Vincent, Holyoke, Massachusetts ; two children with the Division of Child Guardianship Department, one case at St. Vincent Hospital, at Wor- cester, Massachusetts. Seven people were cared for at the Pondville Hospital, at Norfolk, Massachusetts.
9.6
Board was paid for twelve children in private fam- ilies at an average weekly rate of $2.00 per child.
Summary of Relief
The total expenditures during the fiscal year of 1934, for Town Relief, were $67,178.97, and reimbursements were $23,407.53, making the net expense of $43,- 771.44.
The total expenditures for Town Infirmary were $15,761.72 and the revenue was $3,474.24, making the net expenses $12,287.48.
The net expenses of all poor relief were $56,058.92.
Relief In Families
January :
Total number of new applications received : 29. Number of families and persons aided directly :
62 Families-General Aid 186 Persons
35 Families-Mothers' Aid 175 Persons
76 Famílies-Old Age Assistance 76 Persons
173 Families 437 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $5,324.06, including the Infirmary. February :
Total number of new applications received : 14. Number of families and persons aided directly :
61 Families-General Aid 184 Persons
'36 Families-Mothers' Aid 177 Persons
76 Families-Old Age Assistance 76 Persons
173 Families 437 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $6,372.82, including the Infirmary. March :
Total number of new applications received: 13.
MILFORD TOWN INFIRMARY-DECEMBER 31, 1934.
THI
3
97
Number of families and persons aided directly:
52 Families-General Aid 149 Persons 33 Families-Mothers' Aid 153 Persons
80 Families-Old Age Assistance 80 Persons
165 Families 382 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $6,269.28, including the Infirmary. April :
Total number of new applications received : 19. Number of families and persons aided directly :
48 Families-General Aid 172 Persons
33 Families-Mothers' Aid 157 Persons
81 Families-Old Age Assistance 81 Persons
162 Families 410 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month. amounted to $6,417.81, including the Infirmary. May :
Total number of new applications received: 17. Number of families and persons aided directly :
47 Families-General Aid 160 Persons
33 Families-Mothers' Aid 156 Persons
79 Families-Old Age Assistance 79 Persons
159 Families 395 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $8,849.14, including the Infirmary. June :
Total number of new applications received : 15. Number of families and persons aided directly :
45 Families-General Aid 156 Persons
30 Families-Mothers' Aid 147 Persons 81 Families-Old Age Assistance 81 Persons
156 Families
384 Persons
98
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $5,910.39, including the Infirmary. July :
Total number of new applications received : 22.
Number of families and persons aided directly :
45 Families-General Aid 173 Persons
29 Families-Mothers' Aid 134 Persons
82 Families -- Old Age Assistance 82 Persons
156 Families 389 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $7,762.43, including the Infirmary. August :
Total number of new applications received : 12.
Number of families and persons aided directly :
40 Families-General Aid 148 Persons
28 Families-Mothers' Aid 128 Persons
77 Families-Old Age Assistance 77 Persons
145 Families 353 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $5,728.21, including the Infirmary. September:
Total number of new applications received: 19. Number of families and persons aided directly :
40 Families-General Aid 150 Persons
29 Families-Mothers' Aid 132 Persons
76 Families-Old Age Assistance 76 Persons
145 Families 358 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $5,213.11, including the Infirmary.
Total number of new applications received : 23.
99
October:
Number of families and persons aided directly :
34 Families-General Aid 121 Persons
31 Families-Mothers' Aid 144 Persons
76 Families-Old Age Assistance 76 Persons
141 Families 341 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $7,859.10, including the Infirmary. November :
Total number of new applications received : 22. Number of families and persons aided directly :
34 Families-General Aid 130 Persons
30 Families-Mothers' Aid 142 Persons
78 Families-Old Age Assistance 78 Persons
142 Families 350 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $7,620.74, including the Infirmary. December :
Total number of new applications received :
Number of families and persons aided directly :
39 Families-General Aid 148 Persons
31 Families-Mothers' Aid 144 Persons
82 Families-Old Age Assistance 82 Persons
152 Families 374 Persons
There was an average of 45 persons at the Milford Town Infirmary. The expenditures for this month amounted to $9,613.60, including the Infirmary.
During the fiscal year of 1934 308 families, compris- ing 870 persons, were aided, also 75 persons at our local Infirmary.
From January 1, 1934, to December 31, 1934, we had 31 deaths, 17 on General Aid, four on Mothers' Aid, seven on Old Age, and three on Town Infirmary.
100
Comparative report, showing the amounts of relief granted during the past 21 years, including Out-door Relief, Town Infirmary, Mothers' Aid, which was en- acted in 1913, and Old Age Assistance, enacted on July 1, 1931.
1913
$12,994.94
1914
22,501.99
1915
19,271.96
1916
18,359.53
1917
20,018.51
1918
30,777.57
1919
38,838.22
1920
42,718.51
1921
45,260.60
1922
53,826.65
1923
48,111.24
1924
42,602.42
1925
45,560.33
1926
48,852.26
1927
52,761.73
1928
52,121.54
1929
52,867.23
1930
69,126.35
1931
97,832.67
1932
133,556.15
1933
128,545.54
1934
82,940.69
To the Board of Public Welfare:
Gentlemen:
In submitting our fourth annual report to you and the citizens of Milford, we ask that you notice that this Institution has passed through a satisfactory year. We have operated to capacity and to the extent of the facilities practically all of the time during the past year.
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