USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1939 > Part 12
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Hollingsworth Park.
This park was in great demand this year. The W. P. A. softball league played here all year; baseball was also played. In the fall, foot- ball games were scheduled. The grounds were kept in good condition all year.
Hollis Field.
This field had its usual busy season: baseball, softball, field hockey, soccer, and football. The grounds were kept in good condition. The grass was kept mowed and rocks raked up so that we had the baseball field in good shape. A softball backstop was erected in the right-hand corner of the field so that now we have two backstops which enables us to run two games at the same time without interfering with each other. A new drinking fountain was installed and the refreshment booth re- paired ten times during the season. We do need very urgently new bleachers on the field!
Penniman School Field.
This playground was used for the first time in years. Through the efforts of the School Department and the Penniman School Parent- Teachers' Association, this former rock pile has been transformed to a rather good playground. On this field many ball games and other games were played this past summer. A modern baseball backstop and a bas- ketball court were erected.
Adams Street.
Adams St. Playground was kept in good condition all year. This park had second largest attendance of adults and children, according to W. P. A. statistics. A large attendance of adults played tennis, soft- ball, and shuffle board this past year.
Watson Park.
The largest park in the town will start this next summer to have organized play. Construction work has held back active play during the past three years. The new baseball field will be ready to play on or about the first of July. Only tennis was enjoyed at the park this year.
Another new playground was opened up this season at the Penniman School and was well patronized. Braintree Highlands Playground was opened last year and was improved on this past season. Swings were set up and basketball court erected. All the parks had good attendance. The youngsters enjoyed competition in all sports and attended big league baseball games at the end of the season. The Park Board wishes to thank the Selectmen and heads of the different departments for the cooperation and interest shown our Department.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY VINTON, JR., Chairman CHARLES ABELL, Secretary ROBERT B. TAYLOR, Clerk
137
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Health Department
OF THE
Town of Braintree
FROM
December 31, '38 to December 31, '39
138
1
REPORT OF THE BRAINTREE BOARD OF HEALTH
Braintree, Mass., January 15, 1940.
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree:
The Board of Health hereby submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1939.
In submitting the annual written report of the Board of Health to the citizens of Braintree, we shall try to show what the duties of the Board of Health are and the need of having such a department in a town.
"Every city and town is required by law to have a health depart- ment who shall examine into all nuisances, source of filth and cause of sicknesses within its town, shall destroy, remove or prevent the same as the case may require and shall make regulations for the public health and safety relative thereto."
First in importance and of vital interest to a town is the control of contagious diseases. This the health department can do to a certain extent but it must have the cooperation of all the citizens. The citizens must be willing to remove sources of filth wherein disease may originate. They must be willing to report contagious diseases as they occur in their family whether or not they have medical care, they must be willing to observe quarantine rules.
In order to get full reports on contagious diseases we were forced this year to install a new form of doctors school certificates by means of which we are now getting reports of cases not reported otherwise. A record of every case reported is kept in the health office and this is a vital help to parents in future years. Questions may arise as to whether or not a certain child has had a certain disease. If this case was re- ported the record is in the office and may be verified. Many times the children are kept out of school through quarantine regulations as there is not a record to prove they have had a certain contagious disease.
We placard all houses for Scarlet Fever, Small Pox, Diphtheria and Infantile Paralysis. On account of non-placarding of houses for Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, and Whooping Cough maybe some people have become careless in reporting these diseases which may become serious in nature particularly as to ensuing complications. Prompt reporting is essential on these cases as on others to help control the spread.
Through the dental clinic sponsored by the Board of Health under the able management of Mr. Fisher, the superintendent of schools, we feel the general health of the children is greatly benefited. A separate report of the school dental clinic will be in this report. We wish also to give credit to the school department for their health educational programs. Many principles of good health are absorbed by the children who in turn educate their parents, especially as to the value of cleanli- ness and proper food.
In order to make it possible that no child need have diphtheria we conduct each year a diphtheria clinic in the Abraham Lincoln, Hollis and Noah Torrey Schools for pre-school children from six months of age and school children up to the age of twelve years.
139
The percentage of children not old enough to go to school, that is, children from six months to five years of age was considerably better this year than heretofore, 206 being immunized in this group, which group is most susceptible to diphtheria. We hope that this group of children will continue to improve its attendance at the clinics to such an extent that all children will have diphtheria immunization before they go to school, thus relieving the schools of the loss of valuable time. We repeat that no child need have diphtheria and no child has had diphtheria in Braintree for five years. This record can only be main- tained so long as we immunize a sufficient number of children to keep the immunity rate at its present level or better. Another clinic will be held this spring, dates to be announced ..
Your health department asks each year for $480 for the Tubercu- losis Prevention. All history and case records are kept in the health offices as well as monthly reports, made by the Visiting Nurses Asso- ciation, which organization cooperates with this department in the con- trol of Tuberculosis. Many calls are made by the nurses on active cases not in the hospital, on the border line suspects, and on cases that have been discharged from the hospital as arrested cases. Hospital cases for Norfolk County Hospital are only entered at the hospital on applica- tion to the Board of Health, in case the applicant or his or her family is unable to pay for this hospitalization. A careful investigation is made as to the financial conditions before the Board acknowledges re- sponsibility and payment of hospital bill.
The Board of Health does not unqualifiedly recommend that all dogs be inoculated against rabies every year. When, however, the circum- stances arise such as to the occurrence of rabies in this town or in the towns adjacent to it, some measures of control are necessary in order to limit the spread of the disease. This contingency did arise this year when rabic dogs were found in Randolph, Milton, and Hingham. A voluntary anti-rabic clinic wihout any restraining order was held at which 250 dogs were inoculated, this being about one-fifth of the dogs licensed in Braintree this year.
Your Board is required by law to recommend Anti-Rabic Vaccine to all persons bitten by a dog known to have rabies or for a face bite or if bitten by a dog whose identity is unknown, this treatment and anti- rabic vaccine to be paid by your health department. If the dog in the above cases which does the biting is licensed in Braintree a refund is made by Norfolk County for expenses incurred. On the other hand, if the dog is unlicensed the town must pay and collect from the owner of the dog. We hope the same appropriation will be made next year for the protection of the dogs and citizens of Braintree.
The Board of Health cooperated with the State Department of Public Health on the mosquito survey this summer. A number of speci- mens both of mosquitoes and lava were sent to the State Department for examination. We wish to thank those who volunteered to act as collectors. We hope this survey will be of value and some method of control will be devised by the State for the eradication of these pests which may well become a health menace.
The Board of Health greatly appreciates the action taken this year at town meetings on the Board's article in the warrant for rubbish col- lections. The town now enjoys monthly collections of rubbish from private residences at no great expense to the town, thus cleaning up one , source of filth. The results of this collection already are seen with less promiscuous dumping along the highways and byways. This is surely an aid to good health.
We are constantly trying to keep our ponds and waterways free from pollution and especially the ponds safe for bathing. Upon request,
140
the Engineering Department of the State Department of Public Health examined the water of Sunset Pond this summer and the Dam to assure us that the water was safe for bathing. The State recommends that for Sunset Pond a drinking fountain should be installed and also toilet facilities, also if bathing is to be allowed at the Dam, toilets and dressing rooms should be provided. Mr. Imbellone, the life guard at Sunset Pond, did a very fine job this summer, not only saving several lives, but by also watching the children who had any skin eruptions. Not one case of impetigo was reported from this pond this year. One spring below the Dam, a shallow well on Common Street near Hedlund Avenue, and a brook which crossed Hedlund Avenue, these places where children and adults were in the habit of drinking were posted as the State claimed that the water was unsafe to drink.
The Monatiquot River should be a source of pride and an asset to the citizens of Braintree. You can make it so. Stop using it for a dumping ground for all kinds of trash and filth.
Whereas the condition has been improved the last few years, much still can be done.
A beautiful parkway could be made along this stream. It has many . beautiful spots and it is hoped money will be available some day for this purpose.
Control of nuisances is always a part of the Board of Health's work. This work takes considerable part of their time and patience, involving them in what often proves to be neighborhood quarrels sprinkled with a pinch of spite. By nuisances we mean complaints re- lating to over-flow of cesspools, privy vaults, sink drains, filthy dumps, and yards, pig pens, poultry yards, stables, dead animals and the like. All complaints should be in writing to be assured of abatement.
The Board of Health cooperates with the Sewer Department in every way possible. If cesspools are a nuisance and a public sewer is available, we insist that property owners enter the sewer. This de- partment issues cesspool permits but only where the sewer is not available.
The Board of Health wishes to welcome the new industries to Braintree, namely the new addition of the Armstrong Cork Company and the Weymouth Art Leather Company. We thank them for their willingness to cooperate with the Health Department by entering the Public Sewer.
All plumbing permits are made out and issued in the Health Office and the Board cooperates with the plumbing inspection to see that plumbing rules and regulations are obeyed.
The Board of Health makes inspection and grants licenses and per- mits for the following purposes :
Milk licenses for stores and milk dealers as well as pasteurizing plants.
License for Methyl and Wood Alcohol.
License for Slaughtering.
License for Undertakers.
Permits for transportation of offensive material through the streets.
141
Permits for bottling spring water and non-alcoholic beverages and licenses to manufacture Ice Cream.
Birth and Death records commonly known as Vital Statistics are ably kept by Mr. Woodsum, the Town Clerk, who acts as the Board of Health's agent. Mr. Woodsum also grants burial permits.
A personal inspection by the members of the Board of Health was made of all establishments dispensing meats, provisions, restaurants and cafes where liquors were served and the general condition of above- mentioned places observed. It was deemed necessary that the Board revise and adopt new health and sanitary regulations for restaurants and for establishments where liquors and malt beverages are dispensed in glasses to be consumed on the premises. Copies of these regulations may be obtained at the Health Office. Restaurants and drinking places will be periodically examined to see that health and sanitary regula- tions are observed.
The stores and markets are inspected regularly as the meat and provision inspector's report will show.
This year $100 was appropriated for milk testing. The result of this testing will be found in the milk inspector's report.
Many books and magazines of interest pertaining to health and hygiene will be found in the Thayer Public Library. Among the new books purchased this year at the request of the Board of Health were:
"Preventative Medicine and Hygiene" by Melton J. Rosenau.
"Health Education of the Public" by Bauer and Hull.
"202 Household Pests" and a Pocket Medical Dictionary. The citi- zens of Braintree will find much value in both the Health magazines and Health books in the Thayer Public Library.
The Board of Health has tried to keep within its budget and has done so. We have carefully investigated all claims for aid and hospitali- zation and have granted this assistance only when proven it was needed.
In a case where a person's settlement was in some other city or town due claim was made for expenses incurred by the Town of Braintree and bills collected. We, on the other hand, must pay for cases, which have a Braintree settlement, but living elsewhere. Their claims only accepted and paid after conclusive evidence has been presented to sub- stantiate this claim. If a person has no legal setlement we have claimed our reimbursement from the State Department of Public Welfare.
We have tried to show by the above written report the nature of the work of the Board of Health. Our efforts in controlling com- municable diseases, our effort in trying to keep the town clean and free from filth, our effort to give you better milk and cleaner and safer drinking and eating places. Finally to show the citizens of Braintree a Health Department is a vital department and needs the assistance of the citizens of Braintree to make the town a healthy place in which to live.
Respectively submitted, DEANE R. WALKER, Chairman DWIGHT A. CHANDLER, Clerk JOHN J. ATKINSON Board of Health.
FREDERICK C. JOHNSON,
Health Officer.
.
142
REPORT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Six hundred and eight-five cases of notifiable diseases were re- ported as follows:
Anterior Poliomyelitis
1
Chicken Pox
17
Dog Bite 94
German Measles
2
Suppurative Conjunctivitis
4
Pneumonia, Lobar
16
Measles 327
7
Scarlet Fever
21
Septic Sore Throat
2
Rabies 0
105
Tuberculosis, Other Forms
1
Whooping Cough
56
Gonorrhea 15
Syphilis 15
Encephalitis
1
Spinal Meningitis
1
685
*Out of 105 cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis listed above, only eleven new cases were actually Braintree cases. All other cases entered Norfolk County Hospital from other cities and towns in Norfolk County, and diagnosed and reported to the Braintree Board of Health.
Out of eleven Braintree cases six were hospitalized at Norfolk County Hospital.
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION WORK
January 15, 1940.
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree:
Gentlemen :
The Tuberculosis follow-up work was done through the Braintree Visiting Nurse Association working in cooperation with the Health De- partment. Home visits were made to teach the proper care and pre- cautions necessary, and to give helpful advice or assistance when needed.
The Social Service Board of the nursing association gave gener- ously of their time to transport patients to and from Norfolk County Hospital for their periodic X-Ray and re-examination. The family and other immediate contacts of new patients were also taken for X-Ray and examination. Through these check ups unsuspected cases are often found and treatment given to save that individual's health - thereby preventing the spread of tuberculosis in the community.
Through the sale of Christmas Seals six children were sent to the Norfolk County Preventorium camp last summer. From this fund milk was also given to patients or their children when found needed. Assist- ance was rendered through the visiting nurses to needy patients in securing the proper clothing for admittance to the hospital.
The nurses and your health agent, Mr. Johnson, have worked to- gether to promote a sound health program for those afflicted and greater protection of the community at large.
Respectfully submitted, MISS T. JANES FOGERTY, R.N. Visiting Nurses Association.
1
Mumps
* Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
143
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC AS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
January 2, 1940.
During the calendar year of 1939 it was impossible to get time to do any work for the School Dental Clinic in the Highlands and Abraham Lincoln Schools, but during the school year of 1938-1939 work was done in all but one school, namely, the Abraham Lincoln.
The increased appropriation granted in 1939 over that of 1938 made it possible to put in more time, and if the same appropriation is made for 1940, it is hoped that the school year of 1939-1940 may present an opportunity to do work in all of our grade schools during the present school year, which is most desirable. .
The clinic is now at the Thomas A. Watson School and will move to the Abraham Lincoln in one or two weeks. When the work at this school is completed the clinic will move to the following schools in the order named, as quickly as the work at the respective schools can be completed :
Penniman, Hollis, Monatiquot, Highlands and Noah Torrey.
With the opening of schools in September Dr. Worthen expressed a desire to drop his work as one of the dentists in the clinic. The work is, nevertheless, still being carried on full time during school hours just as previously, but by only two dentists instead of three.
A study of the tabualted figures with this report shows 2835 opera- tions performed this year, an increase of 296 over the figures for 1938, at a net cost of $1,790.48, which is $123.98 more than the net cost for 1938.
I feel that the benefits derived from this clinic are wide reach- ing, covering as it does all sections of the Town, and the public should wholeheartedly continue to, as liberally as possible, support this work which' alleviates and prevents suffering, together with improving the health of children.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD FISHER, Superintendent of Schools.
144
SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC REPORT JANUARY-DECEMBER, 1939
Exp. Prof. Service
Hours
Dates of Work
Receipts
No. of Cleanings
No. of Fillings
No. of Extractions
Total Operations
School
Name
Total Hours
Amount
$ 201.50
65
1/3-1/19
$ 63.75
35
169
51
255
Torrey
E. C. Plummer
766
$ 459.60
381.30
123
1/20-3/3
108.00
94
298
40
432
Monatiquot
Dr. Worthen
123
307.50
325.50
105
3/6-4/5
91.75
71
274
22
367
Hollis
Dr. Copeland
400
1,000.00
579.70
187
4/6-6/7
171.50
122
490
74
686
Penniman
Dr. Veale
240
600.00
511.50
165
10/2-11/8
161.50
80
481
85
646
Perkins
367.60
121
11/9-12/15
112.25
56
356
37
449
Watson
$2,367.10
766
$708.75 458 2,068 309 2,835
$2,367.10
117.13
Supplies
15.00
Moving Equipment
$2,499.23
Expended in 1939
.77
Balance
Amount of Appropriation
$1,790.48 Net Cost to the Town of Braintree for the School Dental Clinic in 1939.
$2,500.00
1/8-6/16
145
REPORT OF MEAT AND PROVISION INSPECTION
January 12, 1940.
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree:
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my annual report of inspection of markets, bak- eries and provision stores for the year 1939, also slaughtering inspections.
Markets, bakeries and provision stores inspected 139
Hogs, Slaughtering inspection by Charles W. Matthews, Slaughtering Inspector 89
One Swine condemned.
Stores, as a whole, were clean and meet health rules and regula- tions. Some stores yet, however, need to take more care of the outside yard in back of store.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK C. JOHNSON, Meat and Provision Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF PLUMBING
January 12, 1940.
To the Honorable Board of Health,
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts:
We wish to report that there were 992 plumbing fixtures installed from January 1 to December 31, 1939, at an approximate valuation of $58,664.00. There were also 58 sewer connections made and tested.
C. W. SULLIVAN, Appointee in Charge of Plumbing Inspection. ARTHUR F. SULLIVAN, Additional Appointee of Plumbing Inspection. ISRAEL P. WESTON, Additional Appointee of Plumbing Inspection.
!
146
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTION
January 15, 1940.
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Milk Inspector for the Town of Braintree for the year 1939.
Milk licenses issued to stores and restaurants 79
Milk licenses issued to milk dealers 25
Oleomargarine licenses issued to stores 14
Pasteurization licenses issued. 1
Ice Cream Manufacturing licenses issued. 2
Your inspector seized and had analyzed at Steel's Dairy Service Laboratory in West Bridgewater 73 samples of milk. This is the first year we have had milk testing in Braintree and already improvement can be seen in some of the milk delivered in Braintree from the results of this testing. When a sample of milk is analyzed a report is sent to the dealer from whom the sample was taken and if this report is not favorable an improvement is usually seen on the next testing. For milk to be an asset to one's existence it must be of good quality and must be safe from a health point of view.
Due to the fact that every milk dealer was not sampled a sufficient number of times, your milk inspector feels it would not be fair to give the milk dealers delivering milk in Braintree a grading this year. I shall try to obtain more samples in 1940, so a grading can be made for the 1940 year report.
We sampled milk from the following list of dealers in Braintree from April to December, 1939:
H. R. White
Lantery Brothers Co.
Sherrick Brothers Walnut Grove Farm
United Farmers Whiting Milk Co.
E. M. Dwyer Co.
H. Mugurdichian, Blue Hill View Farm White Brothers Co.
Bay State Dairies Ridder Farm Charles I. McIntyre
Ashland Farms
Woodworth Milk & Cream Co. Speedwell
C. L. Sullivan Dairy Farm
Penns Hill Dairy
Kramers Dairy Farm Shawsheen Dairy Co.
H. P. Hood Sons . J. George English A. R. Parker Co.
Any citizen desiring the results obtained from this testing of dealers' milk from any one or all of the above tests will be welcome to obtain this information at the Health Office in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. JOHNSON,
Milk Inspector.
147
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Animal Inspector of the Town of Braintree :
Cows
93
Bulls
1
Young
Cattle
5
Goats
33
Swine
Sheep
1,086 5
Cows inspected (shipped from out of state) 2
Dog Bit Cases investigated 93
Dogs Quarantined 100
Dogs Released
97
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. MATTHEWS, Animal Inspector.
148
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT-YEAR 1939
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree, Mass.
In his official capacity, your Tree Warden was named as the Town's agent in charge of a great amount of work to be done repairing hurri- cane damaged trees, during the past year and the few months of 1938 following the hurricane.
The damage to the trees by the hurricane was so tremendous that a W.P.A. project was immediately submitted and promptly approved, providing for the necessary emergency work. This work was carried on at all times with the full knowledge and consent of the W.P.A. agents who were charged with the duty of overseeing the work. It was carried on along the highways and waterways of the Town, includ- ing the care of certain trees on or immediately adjacent to the highway boundary line. A strict interpretation of the W.P.A. regulations has led to raising the question as to whether Federal funds could be spent without a more exact regard for that boundary line.
Whichever way that question is ultimately decided, on a careful review of the work which was done under emergency requirements, the fact remains that your Tree Warden carried out the work which he felt was expected of him; the Town and its citizens derived the benefit from the work performed; and rumor to the contrary notwithstanding, no charges have been made against the Tree Warden of any impropriety in his conduct of this project.
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