USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1920 > Part 11
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Recommendations.
That the town appropriate $1,000 for hydrant rental.
That the town appropriate the sum of $220 for 400 feet chemical hose for Combination A.
That the town appropriate the sum of $450 for 500 feet of two and a half inch hose.
That the town appropriate the sum of $600 for painting and repairing Central Station.
109
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT.
1920]
That the town appropriate the sum of $350 for repairs and replacements of the storage batteries and racks.
That the town appropriate the sum of $480 to replace three of our old fire alarm boxes of the Stevens type, with modern Gamewell boxes.
That the salary of the Deputy Chief of the Department be increased $125 per year, making it $2,000 per year.
That the Captains receive an increase of $50 per year, making their salary $1,875.
That the Board of Engineers and Chief of the Department be authorized to re-establish four of the ten callmen's positions which were abolished in 1919, and that $600 be appropriated to cover the same.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY E. HARDY, CHARLES H. CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS A. LEADBETTER.
Board of Engineers.
JAMES WARNOCK, Chief of Fire Department.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
IIO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Health
To the citizens of Swampscott :
The Board of Health herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1920, together with those of their various officers.
The organization of the board at its first meeting of 1920 was the same as for the previous year, and there have been no changes in the depart- ment during the year.
As will be seen by the reports of the various officers much has been accomplished by the department during the term. The elimination of the " Old Washburn" and French stables and the removal of several build- ings located on the " Acre " have greatly improved health conditions in that vicinity. Much more work had been contemplated at the "Acre," but owing to the impossibility of the occupants of the remaining build- ings finding other places in which to move their families the work was temporarily discontinued. Through the action of the board the use of the building occupied by Joseph Bruley, as a stable, was discontinued and the conditions which have existed there for years were abated.
The collection of garbage, however, still continues to be a source of complaint, and while the board is far from satisfied with the service ren- dered they do feel that many of the complaints received are wholly beyond the power of the collector of garbage to avoid. Investigation of these complaints has revealed the fact that the greater part of them are due to the manner in which the householder is caring for his garbage, rather than neglect on the part of the health department. Small pans, uncovered wooden tubs, old boxes and similar receptacles were found to be the rule, rather than a receptacle such as is required in the regulations of the department. In some instances two, three and four families were found to be using a receptacle hardly large enough for one, and although these conditions were brought to their attention nothing was done to remedy them.
While there is a great deal of room for improvement in the manner of collections there is also the same opportunity for the citizens to assist the board by making it a point to see that their receptacles are of sufficient size and water tight and provided with proper covers. Thus will many of our complaints be eliminated and the conditions surrounding the keeping greatly improved.
The $4,000 which was appropriated for extra work in this department has been paid to Mr. Brown at varying intervals during the year and we feel that for every dollar spent we have received at least $2 worth of service. From the department's point of view the service has been more satisfactory than ever before, and when compared with the service of other nearby communities far exceeds it and is done at a much less expense to the town. The board recommends that the collection of ashes
III
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1920]
and garbage be continued for another year the same as last; that is, that the present contract remain in force and the sum of $4,000 be appropriated and given to the board to spend for any additional service as may from time to time be necessary. Should this not meet with general approval the board would secondly recommend that the work be done by the town. This would, however, entail the expenditure of a much greater amount of money.
School Nurse.
The work of the nurse has been continued along the lines of the pre- vious years and we feel that her work has been very satisfactory. Her report as herein rendered will give in detail what has been accomplished and we feel that for the quality and amount of work we are demanding of her that she should receive more pay and in keeping with that paid by by other communities. We would, therefore, recommend the sum of $1,500 be appropriated for use in her department.
Plumbing Regulations.
Last year the Inspector of Plumbing recommended the adoption of a new set of regulations. Consequently, a new set of regulations were drawn up and an article inserted in the warrant asking the town to adopt the same, but as action on this article was indefinitely postponed, we have had to work under the old regulations again this year, which has been somewhat to our disadvantage.
We recommend that action be taken this year upon the adoption of the new regulations as presented.
Dental Clinic.
Statistics plainly show that the teeth of our school children are in a deplorable condition and that immediate action is necessary if we are to preserve the health of the children. We believe that a dental clinic should be established in town.
Beaches.
The work of keeping the beaches clean during the summer months has again been the cause of our exceeding our appropriation. Because of the heavy storms the amount of debris deposited on the beaches greatly exceeded that of last year, and as it was impossible to bury this material the expense of teaming was considerable. With the cost of labor, increasing from $3.50 per day to $5 and an increase of $4 per day for teams, it can be seen that expenditures must increase materially, although provision for such increases had not been made by the Finance Committee, who cut down the amount asked for in our budget. The citizens using these beaches have demanded that they be kept clean. This has been done and consequently must be paid for.
As it has become rather a popular practice among many of our citizens to dig for clams on the beaches the board felt it their duty to have an analysis made of the clams growing there, together with that of the sur- rounding flats. An appeal was made to the State Department and an analysis made. The result of this analysis will be found in the following copy of their report :
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
BOSTON, October 19, 1920.
To the Board of Health, Swampscott, Massachusetts :
GENTLEMEN,-In response to your request for an examination of clam flats along the Swampscott shore and advice as to the quality of clams to be found therein, the Department of Public Health has caused the flats to be examined and samples of sea water and clams to be analyzed.
The results of the examination show that the clams obtained from Blaney's or Fisherman's Beach on the whole were low in bacteria and that the tidal waters over these flats are not at present affected by sewage pollution. In the opinion of this department, clams from this beach are probably safe for use as food, but owing to possible variations in the character of the waters flowing over these flats at different times the shellfish taken therefrom should be well cooked before used for food.
Respectfully, EUGENE R. KELLEY, :Commissioner of Public Health.
Nuisances.
That there is a very urgent need of a sewer in Banks terrace is apparent to both the members of this department and the residents of that neighbor- hood. The conditions being caused there by overflowing cesspools are creating a nuisance and a bigger menace to public health than any nuisance that has existed in the town for many years. In one case the sewage is emptying into the street while in another instance it is finding its way into and beneath the cellar of the house on the adjoining property. Both conditions are a real menace to the health of those living in that vicinity, and unless something is done immediately to relieve existing conditions the board will be compelled to order the premises closed and vacated until such time as proper facilities for the disposal of their sewage has been provided. During the past year the department has been besieged with requests for advice and assistance in abating these nuisances, but owing to the conditions surrounding the property they have been unable to do anything for their relief. The only solution of the problem is a public sewer and the board unanimously recommends that the Sewer Commissioners be authorized to construct a sewer in Banks terrace. Unless such action is taken very shortly it will be necessary for the board to forbid the further use of the property.
New Regulations.
The new regulations adopted last spring relative to the keeping of fowl has proven very satisfactory, and we feel that fowl kept in town are now kept under much more sanitary conditions than before. We have had very little difficulty in enforcing the regulations, as the people have cooperated with us, as is their attitude in all measures which are for the benefit of all. The validity of the regulations has been proven by the conviction of one man who refused to keep fowl as the board directed.
II3
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1920]
Pest House.
The pest house, located off Danvers street, is in a deplorable condition in spite of the fact that every year the board spends more or less money in trying to keep it in repair. It is frequently broken into, and although the board has had shutters placed on the windows and doors, entrance has been made to the building nevertheless. The chimney has been knocked off the roof, the ventilator torn from its fastenings and destroyed and the ceilings ruined by the attempts made by those who have entered the building, to walk the uncovered cross supports above. Owing to the dampness in the basement the furnace has completely rusted out and a new one must be installed before the building would be fit for occupancy. At the present time it would take at least a week to fit the place so that patients could be taken care of there.
Because of its location it would be next to impossible to get a patient to go there and still harder to get any one to take care of the patients. Two years ago when we had to provide an emergency hospital for the care of influenza patients the dissatisfaction expressed upon our decision to open the building was so vehement that we did not dare to persist in the use of it and were obliged to procure other quarters.
In view of the above mentioned facts the board recommends that authority be given them to sell the building to the best advantage.
Ambulance.
While there are few cases of contagious diseases which require the removal of a patient to the Contagious Hospital in Lynn there are each year one or two instances when such removal is necessary. Cases of this kind have, until recently, been conveyed to the hospital in the old horse drawn " Beattie Ambulance," but owing to the difficulty encountered in obtaining a horse other arrangements became necessary. As the Department of Public Health of the City of Lynn has been recently pro- vided with a motor ambulance for the conveyance of such cases, the board took the matter up with the Health Commissioner and arrangements were made whereby patients from this town will now be moved by Lynn at a considerable less expense to the town.
Under this arrangement the board will have no further use for the old ambulance, and as its storage must be paid if kept in its present place we would recommend that the board be authorized to dispose of same.
Recommendations.
I. The construction of a sewer in Banks terrace and an appropriation of money for the same.
2. The adoption of the plumbing regulations as submitted to the town.
3. That the board be authorized to dispose of the " Beattie Ambulance."
4. The establishment of a dental clinic in the schools and the appro- priation of money for the same.
5. The disposal by sale of the pest house.
-
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Appropriations.
The board recommends the following appropriations for 1921 :
Health and Sanitation
$4,657 00
Refuse and Garbage
.
10,550 00
School Nurse
1,500 00
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, HAROLD H. BARTOL, JOHN B. CAHOON.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
7
115
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1920]
Report of Health Officer
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1920 :
Following is a list of the complaints received at this office during the past year : .
Unsanitary toilets .
3
Manure not properly covered
3
Dust
4
Brooks and drains
4
Fires on dumps . ,
4
Dirty and wet cellars
4
Defective plumbing
5
Stagnant water
6
Fish and seaweed on beaches
6
Privies and vaults
7
Dumping without permits
7
Crowing roosters and filthy hen yards
7
Keeping fowl without license
7
Blasting, dirt and noise from stone crusher Food stuffs not properly covered
8
Keeping swine without license
9
Collecting garbage without permits
9
Loose paper on dumps
IO
Rubbish in yards
IO
Crowded and dirty tenements
II
Filthy pig pens .
I2
Offensive catch-basins
12
Unsanitary buildings .
I2
Leaky and overflowing cesspools
17
Sick and stray animals
18
Dead animals
52
Ashes and paper
172
Garbage
615
Miscellaneous
421
Licenses and Permits.
To undertakers
2
To collect grease and tallow
2
To hawkers and pedlers
2
To collect garbage
2
To construct cesspools and drains
14
To keep swine
41
7
116
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
To keep fowl Licenses to keep fowl not granted 4 IO
The work of inspection and investigation of complaints has been much the same as in previous years. All reasonable complaints have been investigated, and where necessary action has been taken. Several more nuisances of long standing have been abated during the past year, and it is the hope of this office that it will be but a short time when all such nuisances will have been abated or remedied. It has been necessary to resort to court proceedings in three instances during the year, one for the collection of garbage without a permit, one for keeping fowl without a license and one for keeping swine without a license. In each case the defendants were found guilty and a fine imposed and paid with but one exception, an appeal being entered in this case and the same referred to a higher court for decision.
The sum of $48.75 has been collected in license fees and the said amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
Contagious Diseases.
The fact that the number of cases of contagious diseases reported during the past year has been a trifle under that of last year has been very gratify- ing, and more so when we stop to consider that the larger portion of our citizens are employed outside the town and are constantly coming in con- tact with and being exposed to the dangers of those diseases through con- tact with citizens from other communities where such diseases have been more prevalent. There has been a substantial increase, however, in the number of scarlet fever cases reported, which without doubt has been due to the mild form in which the disease appeared and possibly to some unrecognized cases. Lobar pneumonia also shows another gain, while the number of influenza cases reported are somewhat less than those of last year.
The following is a list of the diseases reported during the year as com- pared with those of 1919 :
1919
1920
Measles
64
50
Chicken pox
17
2
Diphtheria .
7
6
Scarlet fever
25
41
Ring-worm .
O
I
Inflamed eyes
O
I
Typhoid fever
3
3
Ophthalmia neonatorum
I
2
Tuberculosis
3
5
Whooping cough
19
IO
Anterior poliomyelitis
2
I
Mumps
I
14
Influenza
51
35
Lobar pneumonia
4
18
Total
.
1 197
189
247
Licenses to keep swine not granted
II7
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
1920]
School Clinics.
I again call attention to the need of both a dental and eye and ear clinic in our public schools. The need of such clinics is becoming more and more apparent each year, due not only to the increasing number of cases of defects found in the eyes, ears and teeth of our school children, but to the facts that those clinics, upon whom both the school authorities and school nurse have been depending for medical advice and assistance, are finding it more difficult each year to adequately care for their own com- munities, owing to the large increase in the number of cases being brought to them by outside towns. Lack of funds makes it impossible for them to increase the capacity of their institutions, and therefore the only solu- tion possible appears to be that of restricting the districts from which cases will be admitted or treated. Should the latter step be taken, Swampscott, as well as many other towns, will find itself without the means of affording its school children an opportunity for the corrective treatment which available statistics show is so badly needed in our schools. Physicians, nurses and school authorities have begun to realize the necessity of these clinics, and I believe that the time has arrived when the town should take definite steps to provide for the correction and treat- ment of the physical defects of the school child. I therefore would recom- mend that a dental and eye and ear clinic be established, under the direction of the School Committee, and that a sum of money be appro- priated for the same.
In conclusion, I desire to thank the members of the Board, other town officers and citizens for the assistance and support they have given me in the discharge of my duties during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
C. W. HORTON, Health Officer.
118
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Milk Inspector
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN,-I herwith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1920.
The following is a summary of the work done during the year :
Number of samples taken and analyzed . 119
Number of samples found below legal standard 31
Number of samples taken for bacteria test 38
Number of samples that passed bacteria test . 24
Number of ice cream samples taken and analyzed
24
Number of samples that passed bacteria test 22
Number of stores licensed to sell milk 34
Number of dealers licensed to sell milk 17
Number of stores licensed to sell oleomargarine
6
Number of dealers licensed to sell oleomargarine I
During the months of May and June, two of our dealers had consider- able difficulty in keeping their milk supply up to the standard required of them. In no instance, however, was there any evidence of it having been adulterated or of water having been added. Samples were taken immedi- ately upon receipt of the supply from the producer and the results showed very plainly that the difficulty must be due to carelesness. Careful inves- tigations were made at both the plant of the dealer and that of the producer, with the result that the cause of trouble was soon located, and there was a decided improvement in the supply.
During the month of August, three cases of typhoid fever were reported. As these patients had been receiving their supply of milk from the same dealer, the Board, with the assistance of District Health Officer Lyman A. Jones, made a rigid investigation at the plant of the dealer and that of the producers, together with that of the physical condition of those who were handling the milk, but were unable to find any evidence which led them to believe that the disease had been contracted through the milk supply.
The sum of $29 has been received from licenses and said amount has been paid to the Town Treasurer and his receipt obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON,
Milk Inspector.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
119
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT. .
1920]
Report of Inspector of Animals
To the Board of Health :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1920.
The general inspection this year found most of the animals in a healthy condition and the premises and stables where they were housed kept clean and well ventilated.
There have been several animals quarantined this year, mostly dogs that have bitten people, but these have all been released after keeping them under observation for about two weeks. There have been no cases of contageous disease this year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON, Inspector of Animals.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
Report of Inspector of Slaughtering
To the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN, - I herewith submit my annual report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1920.
There have been 184 inspections made during the year ending December 31, 1920, as follows :
January
58
February
40
March
65
April .
5
June ·
2
August
I
December
13
Total
-
184
The places where slaughtering has been done have been kept clean and there have been no carcasses condemned.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK B. STRATTON, M. D. V.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
I 20
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of School Nurse
To the Members of the Board of Health :
GENTLEMEN,- I herewith submit the following report for the year end- ing December 31, 1920 :
In the past year much has been accomplished in health work in the schools as well as in the homes, and a long-felt need has been secured in the establishing of a physical instructor in the schools.
Through the efforts of Miss Stanley and Miss Doyle a lunch of milk and crackers is now being served in the Palmer and Clarke Schools. This plan does away with the child's choice and decides for him the best possible food.
At the present time this lunch is self supporting, being served only to those children who can pay for it. Therefore, I would recommend that some means be provided to furnish lunch to those children who cannot afford to pay, yet who need it the most.
I would again call the attention of the parents of school children to the necessity of a School Dental Clinic. At the present time it is safe to say that one half of our school children's teeth are in a deplorable condition, and in view of the undisputed fact that good teeth are essential to good health I would solicit your hearty cooperation to secure this urgent need.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the assistance I have received from the Smaritan Circle for needy families, also the financial assistance so generously given by the Child Welfare Association and the Tuberculosis Society when children needed surgical care.
The following is a summary of the work done during the year :
School visits .
241
Old cases cured
31
Visits to homes (old)
133
Visits to homes (new) . 271
Taken to dispensary (old)
5
Taken to dispensary (new)
15
School consultations (parents)
238 /
School consultations (pupils)
542
Examinations for uncleanliness
.
367
Defective vision
350
Other diseases
.26
Defective hearing examinations
240
Throat examinations
2,247 .
Eczema
3
Impetigo
7
Scabies
2
Wounds .
IO
1920]
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
121
Other diseases
13
Hip-joint disease
I
Other diseases
Teeth
1,200
Malnutrition .
8
Nervous
5
Miscellaneous
. 416
Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND,
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
School Nurse.
-
5
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Plumbing Inspector's Report
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN, - I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1920.
The failure of the town to adopt the plumbing regulations as submitted at the last annual town meeting has made it necessary to continue under the old regulations another year. The more modern conditions under which the plumbing business is being conducted to-day makes it impera- tive that some important changes be made in our regulations. These changes are not only important from a sanitary point of view but because of their tendency to reduce the expense to the citizens.
The following is a summary of the work done during the year :
Plumbing permits issued 116 -
Installations approved ·
I44
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD C. PHILLIPS, Inspector of Plumbing.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1920.
123
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK REPORT.
1920]
REPORT OF Superintendent of Moth Work
To the Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-The general condition of the town as regards the gypsy and brown tail moths is not as satisfactory as in the past few years. No trees have been defoliated by them, however, but it is a critical time in the fight to keep the pests suppressed. To relax now would mean serious outbreaks later.
Having had an insufficient appropriation to carry on the work as it has been in years past, the result has manifested itself by the dissatisfied expressions of persons having trees and shrubbery, because the usual amount of work was not done on them and the increase in the number of egg clusters found on the trees this fall.
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