USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1928 > Part 8
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144
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health:
I herewith submit my annual report as inspector of slaughtering for the year ending Dec. 31, 1928.
No person applied for a license to slaughter in Middle- boro during 1928 therefore no slaughtering was done except- ing a few creatures that were slaughtered upon the premises of the people who raised them.
Number of Hogs killed
5 0
Number of Neat Cattle
Number of Veal
0
Number of Sheep
0
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
145
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Board of Health:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1928.
Good clean, pure milk is one of the principal sources of good health. Watchfulness, careful attention in the super- vision of dairies, herds and their attendants with frequent collections of samples of milk for analysis is the price that cities and towns must pay for a clean pure milk supply.
The writer made two collections of samples of milk for analysis. Each collection included thirty-eight dairies comprising approximately five hundred cows. During the past year analysis disclosed that 4% of the milk contained garget, 6% was so low in butter fat that it could not legally be sold in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The people who produced this milk were unaware of the condi- tions until told by the inspector. They were anxious to eliminate the evil when informed and cheerfully followed suggestions recommended for the improvement.
The information quoted above indicates the need of frequent collection of samples of milk for analysis to de- termine the cleanliness and quality of the milk supply. 75% of the milk supply is pasteurized.
10% of the milk is from Tuberculine Tested Cows.
15% of the milk is ordinary raw milk.
Work Performed
Licenses and Permits issued in 1927.
Milk dealers License Class A Class B
Class C
43 17 6
Milk dealers Permits 44
Oleomargarine License
7
Total License and Permits issued 127
Summary of Inspections Made:
Class A, Hotel, restaurants, tea rooms, Counters, Stores
62
Class B, Stores, Markets or dealers 17
146
Class C, Producers and distributors
44
Total Inspections Made
123
Summary of Analysis Made:
Analysis Milk for Butter Fat
80
Analysis Milk for Total Solids
80
Analysis Milk for Garget License Fees:
6
Milk
$38.00
Oleomargarine
3.50
$41.50
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Inspector of Milk.
147
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
To the Board of Health, Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
Four months serious illness of the Health Officer some- what retarded the activities of the Health Department during 1928. Important work that was planned, owing to inability to attend to it, was deferred to the incoming year.
Miss Pasztor, the Health Nurse, attended to the routine of the department for two months, when Mr. Louis Little- john was appointed to fill the vacancy during the period of illness.
Bakeries
Hotels, Restaurants, Tea Rooms and Lunch Rooms where bread, doughnuts, cake and pastry are cooked, are classed as bakeries. These must be investigated a number of times each year and a report of their condition sent to the Dept. of Pure Food and Drugs, Boston. Regular bakeries were investigated twice during the year; a careful inspection was made of the physical condition of the employes and if they looked emaciated or suspicious, were compelled to be ex- amined for contagious diseases. The restaurants, Tea Rooms and Wayside Stations were investigated a number of times during the summer, and particular attention was given to the condition of the employes and to the method of sterilizing dishes. Wayside Stations were required to pro- tect their supplies from flies and to install dry closets; also cesspools or dry wells, to prevent Typhoid Fever.
148
Following is a summary of the records of the Health Department on contagious diseases :-
Month
Chicken Pox
Diphtheria
Spinal
Meningitis
German
Measles
Influenza
Pneumonia
Measles Lobar
Mumps
Scarlet Fever 14
Pulmonary 1
Tuberculosis 1
Other Forms of T. B. Whooping Cough
Typhoid Fever
Septic Sore
Ophthalmia
Neonatorum
Total
January February
0
0
0
0
1
0
8
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
13
March
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
8 24
May
1
1
0
2
0
0
5
0
1
0 0
0 0 0
1 0 0 6
0 0 0
0 0
83 35
July
2
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
1
0
0 0
0 0
0
1
0
0 3 7
November
0
0
0
0
December
1
0
0
0
1
0
29
1 0 0
1 0 0 1
0 0
8 8
0 0
0
41
Total
271
Nuisances.
Numerous complaints were received the past summer regarding the unsanitary condition of the garbage cans. Investigation revealed that it required eight to ten days for the collector to cover the district where garbage is collected. In hot weather the garbage got to be in pretty bad condition, was a breeding place for flies, and created a nuisance. I recommend that garbage be collected twice a week from June 1st to Sept. 1st; once a week the balance of the year; hotels and restaurants each day.
Health Nurse
Miss Pasztor, the Health Nurse, was very active during the past year. She instructed Girl Scout Camps in first aid and health work; has addressed the pupils of the public schools on nutrition, sanitation and mouth hygene; visited many of the homes and instructed the mothers in regard to diet and care of children; supervised the distribution
1
0 0000
0
0
0
1
1
18
1
1
0
June
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
August
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
September
0
0
1
0
0
October
2
0
0
0
0 0
0 0 0 1
0 0 1
3 0 3
0 0 0 4
2
0
0
0
0
1 0 13
17
April
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0 20 7
0
0
0
Throat
0
0
73 32
0 0
149
of milk in the schools and attended to payments; assisted in the prevention of contagious diseases, and in delivering patients to hospitals, Sanitoriums and Health Camps. With the co-operation of Mr. Stearns Cushing, Superinten- dent of Schools, she established a Dental Clinic and in- terested people to finance it.
Contagious Diseases
Unfortunately an unusual large number of cases of Scarlet Fever were reported. The cases were very light and in many instances were not detected until the patient had infected others, therbey spreading the disease.
There was also a large number of cases of measles, which is not unusual, as measles appears in three year cycles and usually infects most of the younger children who were not immuned by a previous infection.
Excepting the cases mentioned, the situation regarding communicable diseases was satisfactory.
There were six new cases of Tuberculosis reported during the past year, and all of them were sent to the Plymouth County Hospital for treatment. Four children infected with Hilum Tuberculosis were sent to the summer camp for two months.
There are seven patients at the Plymouth County Hos- pital.
Financial Statement
Received
$38.00
76 Milk Licenses 50c. each
16.00
16 Alcohol Licenses $1.00 each
18.00
City of New Bedford
$72.00
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Health Officer.
Total
150
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
To the Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for 1928.
The following is the list of trips made for the Board of Health:
Plymouth County Hospital, South Hanson 13
Tewksbury State Hospital
1
New Bedford 3
Lakeville Sanitorium 4
Brighton Contagious Hospital
3
Diphtheria 1
Scarlet Fever 2
Brockton City Hospital
2
State House, Boston 1
Home visits for the "Yearly Report" on all Tubercular Patients 55
Sent a report of each case to the "Division of Tuberculosis" State House, Boston, Mass.
Re-Examination of the "Ten Year Tubercular Class Pro- gram" held April 25th, 1928. Ten pupils were ex- amined by Dr. Martin, State Examiner.
No. of pupils recommended for re-examination 14
No. of pupils absent, moved away, left school 4
No. of pupils refused 0
No. of pupils re-examined 7
No. of pupils found to be unimproved 3
No. of pupils who had T & A operation 3
No. of pupils having sanitorium treatment
1
No. of pupils recommended for X-Ray 1
No. of pupils who went to Summer Camp in 1927 1
151
On June 28th I took four pupils to "The Plymouth Coun- ty Hospital Summer Camp for a period of eight weeks. These children made a gain of 31/2 to 9 pounds in weight and also gained in cheerfulness and ability to get on with others.
Donations received for this Summer Camp:
Junior Red Cross $20.00
Woodbine Temple No. 34 Pythian Sisters 24.30
Middleboro Co. No. 11 U. R. K. of P. 24.30
24.30
Arbutus Lodge No. 123 Knights of Pythias Total 92.90
Preliminary steps have been taken towards the forma- tion of a Dental Clinic in the town. The need for such a clinic has been very evident for some time and it is hoped the citizens of the town will support this measure by an appropriation for operating expenses. The expense of equipment has already been met by donations received from various clubs and societies. A list of these will be found under my report as school nurse.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN PASZTOR, R. N.
152
MIDDLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Board of Trustees of the Middleboro Public Library:
I have the honor to present herewith the annual report, covering the year ending December 31, 1928.
CIRCULATION
Middleboro has one of the largest circulation of books in the state. The annual circulation of a library should be at least 5 books per capita. Middleboro's circulation is a little better than 9 books per capita. There are not many towns in the state that equal this figure, and very few that exceed it. The past year 85,082 books have been circulated, 50456 novels, 10642 non-fiction, 4,782 maga- zines, 101 foreign books and 19,101 books for young people.
NEW CARD SYSTEM
In accord with many other libraries, a new card system has been adopted during the past year. The large bor- rowers' card has been discarded in favor of a small identifica- tion card. The borrowers' number, name and address are on this new card, and the card is presented at the desk each time books are borrowed. The date due is not stamped on the card as was the case with the old form, but this date is found on the pocket in the back of the book.
The chief advantage of the new system is that it is a great time saver, and the work of charging books can be despatched in much less time than formerly. The only dis- advantage is that the borrower has no way of telling how many books he has out. But the figures on the old cards upon which he relied to give him this information were often
153
incorrect and were not absolute proof that he had that number of books out. The new system has generally met with the approval of the public and is thoroughly apprecia- ted by the staff because of its speed and simplicity.
Because of the many cards in the files that had not been used for years, it was decided to have a re-registration of borrowers in connection with the change of charging system.
The new registration was begun on October 1st, and of the 5,430 borrowers of the old registration, 1,704 have re- registered and been given the new type of card.
During the past year we have added 325 new borrowers to our list of patrons.
BRANCHES
On December 19th the third branch library was opened. This was at North Middleboro and was established at the request of the Community Club of North Middleboro. The branch is located at the home of Mrs. Stephen Richmond, who very generously offered her home and her time to care for this collection.
Miss Laura Deane very kindly continues to care for the East Middleboro branch, and the South Middleboro School also continues to serve as a branch.
Deposits of books are kept at the Montgomery Home, at Rock School, Bates, School Street and West Side School.
ACTIVITIES
During the late winter months of 1928, many enjoyable story hours were held in the children's room on Saturday mornings conducted by Miss Leonette Warburton of the National Community Foundation.
Talks on books have been given by the Librarian at the Mother's Club of the Bates School, the Cabot Club and the Old Colony Library Club.
In November the Librarian attended a two day Library
154
Conference at Amherst when the beautiful new Jones Lib- rary was dedicated. The Librarian and assistants have attended various meetings in Hyannis, Brockton and Bos- ton.
One of the outstanding activities of the year was the All Around the World Exhibit held in connection with Book Week, November 11-18. Townspeople very generously allowed us to borrow souvenirs brought from abroad. These were grouped according to country and with each group were displayed books of travel in that country.
High School girls dressed in costumes of foreign coun- tries were in charge of the exhibit. Many rare and beautiful objects from all over the world were included in the exhibi- tion and, during the week the exhibit was open, were viewed by a large and interested group of people.
Travel posters sent us from all parts of the world were displayed in the exhibition hall. A table full of new novels attracted much attention. One room was given over to the display of new children's books and were examined with much interest by parents, teachers and the children them- selves.
On November 8th a meeting of the Old Colony Library Club was held at the Library. Members of the Cape Cod and Old Dartmouth Library Clubs were invited as guests. There was a large attendance despite the very stormy day.
PERSONNEL
The library staff continues with the same members :- Librarian, Mertie E. Witbeck; Assistant Librarian, Florence A. Robinson; Cataloger, Louise B. Pratt; Assistants, Edith G. Veazie and Miriam Bassett.
During the summer months, Miss Doris Hulsman was given part-time work through the period the staff was having vacations.
The library suffered a very great loss through the death of the President of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Henry W.
155
Sears. Mr. Sears gave many years of faithful service to the interests of the library, and his loss is keenly felt.
To fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Sears' death the Select- man have appointed Mrs. Grace H. Noble.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Supervision of the children's room always presents its difficulties, but we feel that this could be greatly simplified if the book case in the center of the room was removed and shelves built along the sidewall which is now occupied by a bulletin board. This would give an unobstructed view of the entire room which is impossible with the book case in its present position.
Both beauty and economy would be served by replacing the old fashioned, inefficient chandelier in the center of the delivery hall with a modern lighting fixture. Whereas the present chandelier requires twelve lights, in a modern fixture only one high powered light would be necessary, thereby saving the cost of a new fixture in a short time and providing much more satisfactory lighting.
IN APPRECIATION
We are indeed grateful to those who so generously allow- ed us to use the many valuable and interesting articles from abroad that made our All Around the World Exhibit so suc- cessful, and to the High School girls who so efficiently took charge of these things and explained their value and interest to visitors.
The branch librarians deserve much commendation for their work in supplying books to those in the outlying dis- tricts.
Mr. Lorenzo Wood of the Gazette has been most generous in giving space to library matters.
156
The library has been the recipient of many gifts of books and magazines, all of which make a welcome addition to our collection and are much appreciated by our borrowers.
The library has been made cheerful and attractive this winter by the plants given by Mrs. Albert Veazie and Mrs. William Crapo.
Local churches provide the magazines published by their own societies, and Nemasket Chapter, D. A. R. subscribes each year for the magazine "Daughters of the American Revolution."
Mr. E. W. Littlefield, son of the late Rev. A. W. Little- field, has arranged for the Library a perpetual subscription for American Forest and Forestry to serve as a reminder of the late Mr. Littlefield's work in behalf of the Town Forest movement.
In conclusion I would express appreciation for the friend- ly and faithful work of the staff, and to the Trustees for their interest and cooperation and ever loyal support in the working out of library problems.
STATISTICS
Circulation of books
Central Library
Adult circulation
Fiction
49,481
Philosophy
525
Religion
334
Sociology
844
Languages
38
Sciences
658
Useful arts
997
Fine arts
1,101
Literature
1,462
History
1,140
157
Travel
1,271
Biography
1,294
Magazines
4,782
Foreign
101
64,031
Juvenile
Fiction
10,041
Non-Fiction
9,060
19,101
Branch circulation
East Middleboro
649
South Middleboro
779
Bates School
522
1,950
Total circulation for 1928
85,082
Number of volumes owned by library Jan. 1, 1928
30,651
Number of volumes added by purchase 952
Number of volumes added by gift
76
Number of volumes added by binding
56
Total number of volumes added 1,084
31,735
Number of volumes lost or discarded
348
Number of volumes owned by library Dec. 31, 1928
31,387
New cards issued
Adults
154
Juveniles (Under 14 years)
171
325
Respectfully submitted,
MERTIE E. WITBECK,
Librarian.
158
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
In considering the great increase in the cost of this De- partment the last few years, we find three chief causes.
1. Lack of work. Owing to local conditions many men are unable to secure work and come to us. If we are un- able to give work we have to see that the families do not starve until work is secured.
2. In cases where the Board of Health sends the head of a family to South Hanson or other institution, on account of tuberculosis or other contagious disease, the care of the family is left to us. Usually this involves a large expense for a year or two, as the families are apt to be large.
3. Lack of credit. Ten years ago families traded at one store and had credit there. When slack times came, they could still secure goods. Today people do not es- tablish credit anywhere, and when out of work they have no way to secure food or fuel without aid from the town.
Sickness or inability to work is another principal cause of aid. This used to be the chief cause and has not in- creased the amount spent in proportion to the other causes.
The total number aided was 415 as compared with 304 in 1927 an increase of over 25%. Considering this increase it is not surprising that we had a large overdraft under Temporary Aid and Aid for other Cities and Towns. The situation this winter, thus far, has been slightly better than last, but there are still many families needing work and Temporary Aid will continue to be the big item of expense until working conditions improve.
Fortunately for Middleboro, many cases have been people having settlement in other Towns or Cities. We have to appropriate money to care for such cases, but all money spent is paid back by the place of settlement, and is shown as part of the receipts of the Department.
Under the classification of Mothers Aid there is not much change. We closed two cases and added two new ones. If there is an increase in the number during the year,
159
the appropriation asked for will be insufficient, as it will take all of the appropriation to meet the expenses of the present cases. The State reimburses the Town for one third of all expenses in these cases.
At the farm there are 17 inmates. During the year the total number has been 25 with an average of 17 13. Last year the total was 23 and the average 15.
The recommendations of the Investigating Committee were carefully considered and adopted where possible. The analysis of their report follows.
1. Individuals receiving Temporary Aid should be taken to the farm .- Each of these cases has been considered and where advisable they have been taken there.
2. Books accounting for supplies in house and farm, also produce sold .- Records are kept at the farm as sugges- ted by the State Auditors. We also have kept records of milk and eggs, and as a result have sold some unprofitable cows and replaced them with good ones.
3. One purchasing agent .- Ordinary supplies are order- ed by Mr. Brown. All other purchases are ordered, or approved before purchase by a member of this Board.
4. Bills receivable to be received by the Town Treas- urer .- The State Auditors outlined the proper way to handle all receipts and we have carried out their instructions.
5. Bills payable to be checked by the Superintendent .- Bills payable have always been checked by him and inspected by this Board before payment.
6. No distinction in matter of meals between inmates and boarders. There is absolutely no distinction in the treatment of any inmate or boarder.
7. Buy of local dealers .- All purchases are made locally when possible.
8. Purchasing agent should not audit his own accounts. -All accounts are audited by the State Auditors.
9. Suggestion that vegetables be raised for distribution in Temporary Aid cases .- This would necessitate an almost daily delivery to many families over a wide area, of small
160
quantities of vegetables. The cost of delivery would be much more than any saving derived. Delivery in large quantities would cause much waste, as most people who need this help have no facilities to keep supplies from decay- ing or freezing.
10. Complete inventory to be taken before any Superin- tendent or Matron leave or take charge .- This will be done. An inventory is taken every January and compared with the preceding one, showing the increase or decrease in supplies stock tools etc.
11. More hens recommended .- Our present flock is as large as possible with the facilities we have for housing. If more fowl is to be kept, there will have to be a new and larger house built this year. We recommend an appropria- tion of $500. for this purpose.
12. Effort to lessen amount of help in the house .- Most of the women inmates are quite old, and not only are unable to help with the work, but require extra care, and in several cases are confined to their beds, or at least are un- able to go downstairs for their meals. Therefore at the present time it is impossible to do with less help.
13. Doubt as to the profit on collection of swill .- This collection has directly brought over $2300. into receipts of the farm this year, in addition to the fact that the land has been greatly improved and is yielding much greater crops than formerly.
14. More frequent visits to the farm recommended .- Visits to the farm have been made frequently. Mr. Clark particularly has kept in close touch with conditions there.
15. Suggest closing farm if not self supporting this year .- We are emphatically against closing the farm. There are twelve inmates having Middleboro settlement. The cost of providing board, clothes, medicine and care for them would be about the same as the net cost of the farm. So there would be no saving in expense. At the present time we feel every one has a warm home, with modern conven-
161
iences, good food and care. We do not believe the voters of Middleboro want to place these old and infirm people in any place where the person boarding them is doing it for the money he can get, and risk the possibility of their being mistreated.
16. Recommend that cash aid be abolished except in Mothers Aid cases .- The State authorities with their exten- sive experience recommend the use of cash where the reci- pient is competent to use it economically. We have always tried to follow along the lines they recommend.
17. Orders without stated sums, but for specific articles recommended .- This has always been done with the ex- ception of groceries which are limited to a weekly amount.
18. Cash discounts .- Arrangements have been made with the merchants for cash discounts where possible.
19. No able bodied man to be given help outright, but given work-When people come for aid they are in immediate need and necessities must be supplied. If work is avail- able it is given. This Department cannot make jobs for all who apply. Most of the calls come in the winter months when there is little work for day laborers.
We appreciate the thoroughness and fairness with which the Committee investigated the situation and their report on the same. It is essential to show the voters the reason for the money spent. Sometimes this is rather hard to do, altho we know it was spent for the best interests of the town.
We were no more satisfied with conditions at the farm last year than your committee, or any voter in town. Even tho there had been no investigation we had planned to make all possible changes to better conditions.
Results at the farm this year have been much more satis- factory. The receipts for board were slightly less, as we have but five boarders compared with eight a year ago. On the other hand receipt from produce have been much larger, and the total receipts from farm show an increase of $1068.71 and bills receivable $472.81. A net gain of $1541.52. The inventory shows a decrease of $270.08 from
162
last year. Figured according to the rule given by the State Auditors the per capita cost has been $12.15 per week as compared with $13.45 last year. We are not yet satisfied with results, but we are making a reduction in cost each year. The farm receipts for 1929 should increase enough to reduce materially the per capita cost.
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