USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1924 > Part 13
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We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1925:
Health and sanitation $7,669 00
Refuse and garbage
11,671 00
Health Nurse
1,450 00
Respectfully submitted,
LORING GRIMES, JOHN B. CAHOON, HAROLD H. BARTOL.
Swampscott, December 31, 1924.
162
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Health Officer
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1925:
The following is a summary of the complaints received at this office during the past year:
Ashes and rubbish uncollected 269
Brooks and drains 13
Building stable without license
2
Crowing roosters and filthy hen yards
6
Crowded and dirty tenements
11
Collecting garbage without permits
7
Dust on streets
15
Dumping without permits
8
Dirty and wet cellars
17
Dead animals
84
Food not properly covered
21
Fish and seaweed on beaches
19
Fires on dumps
33
Garbage deposited on dumps
29
Garbage receptacles not properly covered or leaking
66
Garbage uncollected
312
Keeping fowl without a license
2
Leaky and overflowing cesspools
24
Loose paper on dumps
79
Manure not properly covered
4
Offensive catch-basins
12
Offensive privy vaults
19
Rubbish in yards
27
Ragweed
1
Sick and stray animals
45
Stagnant water
22
Sewer and illuminating gas
8
Unsanitary buildings
15
Unsanitary toilets
10
Miscellaneous
1697
163
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT
1924]
Licenses and Permits
The following licenses and permits have been issued during the past year:
To keep fowl
232
To construct cesspools and drains
31
To sell alcohol 11
To hawkers and peddlers
6
To erect and occupy stables
3
To collect grease and tallow
3
To undertakers
3
To collect garbage
1
To manicure
1
To sell non-alcoholic beverages
1
To keep swine
1
In addition to the above, thirty-two applications for permits to build have been approved, three permits refused because of applicant being unable to comply with the sanitary requirements and two applicants for permits to alter and enlarge existing tenement houses refused, because the provisions of Chapter 145 of the General Laws relating to tenement houses did not permit such work to be done.
The sum of $107 has been collected from licenses and the said amount has been paid to the Collector and his receipt obtained.
Communicable Diseases
The following is a list of the diseases reported to this office during the past year:
DISEASES REPORTED
January
February
March
April
May 0
June 0
July 0
August 0
September
October
November
December
Total
Anterior poliomyelitis
Chicken pox
5
2
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1| 12
Diphtheria
1| 0
1|
0
1
1|
1|
0 0
1|
1 7 7
Measles
Mumps
Ophthalmia neonatorum
0| 1 0|0| 0| 0| 0
1| 0| 0| 0 1| 3
Scarlet fever
0| 0| 0 00010200|0| 4 7 4| 2| 3| 0 0| 0 24 20 21
3 85 1
Typhoid fever
01
4
0
Whooping cough
0|1|4|
000000000
5
Total .
| 9|10|24|34 21|52| 5| 1|5|2424|28 237
Measles and scarlet fever have been the most prevalent of the diseases reported during the past year. During the months of Octo- ber, November and December there was not only a substantial but
0
0
0
0
2
0
0|
0|
2
Lobar pneumonia
1| 0000023 0
0
103 9
Pulmonary tuberculosis
0|1|0|0| 0| 0 9|29 17 47 3| 0| 1| 1| 0
0| 2|0| 1| 0| 0|1|
164
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
an uncomfortable increase in the number of scarlet fever cases reported. Although it was found that some of the spread of the disease was due to the mild form in which it appeared and possibly some unrecognized cases, it was also found that there were still some parents who overlook the necessity of consulting a physician when their children are ill, and who, because of their unwillingness to suffer the inconvenience which their being quarantined would cause, fail or refrain from reporting suspected cases of communi- cable diseases among their children. Such parents are a menace to the community, for they not only jeopardize the health of those in their household but that of the whole community. Parents should realize the necessity of consulting a physician in every case where there is a question as to the nature of any illness among the mem- bers of their household. No matter how efficient the health depart- ment might be, it cannot hope, or be expected, to cope with the situation unless it has the co-operation and support of each and every individual.
School Inspection
While the appearance of scarlet fever has made it impossible for the school physicians to complete the physical examination of the pupils in the public schools in time for this report, the following summary will give an idea of the results of the examinations as thus far accomplished, in comparison with those of the previous year:
Schools
Clarke
Hadley
Jr. High
Machon
Palmer
Totals
Year
1923
1924
1923
1924
1923
1924
1923
1924
1923
1924
1923
1924
No. Examined
263
248
209
218
152
277
197
200
117
129
938
1072
Defects
Adenoids
30
7
10
0
3
0
35
14
26
4
104
25
Feet and spine
14
10
2
0
2
1
8
2
4
0
30
13
Glands
55
12
3
2
5
3
5
6
3
1
71
24
Hearing
. .
.
. .
·
. .
· ·
Heart
6
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
0
12
6
Lungs
8
·
. .
-
0
0
15
16
1
1
20
17
Mentality
4
0
. .
. .
Nerves
3
0
1
1
1
0
14
8
1
1
20
10
Nutrition
32
13
32
5
5
3
34
11
20
2
123
34
Posture
55
21
5
15
3
12
27
29
7
2
97
79
Scalp
1
0
. .
. .
0
5
0
1
1
7
1
Skin
5
1
1
0
2
2
3
1
5
3
16
7
Teeth
102
34
50
13
26
24
99
53
36
13
313
137
Tonsils
47
40
49
21
16
19
44
37
26
23
182
140
Vision
13
12
0
0
22
14
. .
·
. .
0
19
34
33
41
181.
96
Weight
80
21
49
0
·
Totals
455
172
204
58
68
66
335
228
165
98
1227
622
1
1
. .
0
13
1
0
0
4
0
3
. .
. .
. .
3
0
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT
165
1924]
6
35
32
.
0
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Ashes and Garbage
In order to overcome and eliminate the many complaints which the department had been receiving relative to the contractor failing to make his collections of ashes and rubbish upon the day specified, the Board rearranged the routes and extended the collections into another day. The new arrangement went into effect on March 3rd and was proving very satisfactory, when notice was received from the owners of the private property upon which some of the dumps were located that, owing to complaints from adjoining property owners, further dumping upon the premises was prohibited.
Owing to the lack of a public dump, both the department and con- tractor were faced with the problem of what to do with the material after collection. Being unable to locate new dumping places con- venient to the points of collection, it became necessary to make longer hauls in order to dispose of a load. Because of the extra time consumed in going to and from the dump, the contractor has been unable to make as many trips, and the result has been his inability to collect all of the route on the day specified. As the contract for the collection of ashes and rubbish does not require the contractor to provide the place of disposal, he declined to bear the additional expense of employing more men and wagons in order to keep up to schedule. Therefore, it remains for the town to either cancel the contract, pay him for the additional men and wagons employed or provide a dumping place convenient to the collections.
In my report of 1916 attention was called to the rapidly growing necessity of a public dump. That necessity has now become a reality, not only to this department but to the general public as well. There is no assurance that the present dumps will be avail- able for any length of time, therefore the matter is one which should receive serious consideration the coming year.
The collection of garbage during the past year has, without question, been more satisfactory than for several years. The num- ber of garbage complaints received has been considerably less than those formerly received and there has been an apparent effort on the part of the contractor to perform the work in as satisfactory a manner as possible.
Beaches
The various beaches of the town have been cleaned this year as in years past.
Owing to the use of Palmer Beach as a picnic ground considerable complaint was received from those owning property adjoining the beach, at both this office and that of the Board of Selectmen, rel- ative to the broken glass, garbage, paper and other waste material left upon the beach after such parties were held. Complaints of damage being done to the adjoining property as well as to the conduct of some of those frequenting the beach were also received.
167
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT
1924]
As a result of a conference with the Board of Selectmen, warning signs were placed at each end of the beach, waste receptacles were placed at convenient places along the beach and an officer detailed to patrol the beach on Saturday and Sunday evenings. As a re- sult of this action much of the trouble has been overcome and the complaints eliminated.
In concluding this report I desire to express my appreciation and thanks to the school physicians for the valuable assistance which they have accorded me in the performance of my duty during the past year. To the members of the Board, the members and officers of other departments, the superintendent, principals and teachers of our schools and to all others who have assisted me in my work during the year, I also extend my thanks and appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HORTON, Health Officer.
December 31, 1924.
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Milk Inspector
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1924:
Number of samples taken and analyzed 131
Number of samples that passed bacteria test 126
Number of samples low in total solids 2
Number of samples low in butter fat 5
Number of samples of cream taken and analyzed 7
Number of samples of cream that passed test 7
Number of samples of ice cream taken and analyzed 21
Number of samples that passed test 21
Number of samples of vinegar taken and analyzed 22
Number of samples low in acetic acid 1
Licenses
Number of stores licensed to sell milk 44
Number of dealers licensed to sell milk 17
Number of stores issued permits to sell ice cream 23
Number of permits issued to manufacture ice cream 9
Number of stores licensed to sell oleomargarine 4
Milk Supply
The health authorities, acting as agents of the consumer, must determine how the healthfulness of the milk supply shall be pro- tected. The dangers which naturally surround the production and handling of milk are such that if the supply is to be made safe it must be done either by means of medical supervision of the health of the cows and the men or by proper pasteurization. The cleanliness of milk, as it is now being delivered to the consumer, is generally very satisfactory, but constant and continued emphasis is needed to insure that it is maintained at a high level.
The keeping quality of milk is a matter which is constantly re- reiving the attention of the consumer, since there is no other short- coming of milk which is more quickly impressed upon him, and he is constantly insisting upon an improvement. The delivery of old, stale milk, on the verge of souring, is as much a fraud as the delivering of milk lacking in food value, healthfulness or cleanli- ness. The producer and dealer are, as rapidly as economical means can be found, endeavoring to overcome this condition, but they
169
MILK INSPECTOR'S REPORT
1924]
must have the co-operation of the consumer. The keeping quality of milk after delivery depends to a great extent upon the tempera- ture at which the milk is maintained; the responsibility rests upon the consumer to hold the milk at a reasonably low temperature after it is delivered to him. Very frequently it is found that little regard has been given this matter by the consumer, therefore, much of his criticism of the keeping quality of the milk is unjust.
During the past year considerable attention has been given to the conditions under which the milk supply was being produced and handled. Certain changes in methods have been recommended and suggested which, in the opinion of your inspector, would prove beneficial to both the producer and consumer. With but one excep- , tion suggested changes were cheerfully made and have resulted in a marked improvement in both the cleanliness and quality of the milk. Although repeated attempts were made to obtain a much needed change in the methods and conditions under which one dealer was producing and handling milk, it became necessary, because of his refusal to comply with our requests, to order him to cease further sales of milk produced or dealt in by him, within this town.
The following gives an idea of the quality of the milk, cream and ice cream delivered and sold in this town, during the past year, compared with that required by the laws of the Commonwealth and the regulations of this department:
Milk
Massachusetts legal standard for butter fat 3.35%
Average during the year 3.76%
Massachusetts legal standard for total solids
12.00%
Average during the year 12.80%
Bacteria per cubic centimeter limited by local regulation to 150,000
Average during the year 36,600
Cream
Massachusetts legal standard for butter fat 15.00%
Average of samples collected 39.16%
Bacteria per cubic centimeter limited by local regulation to 150,000
Average in samples collected 45,000
Ice Cream
Massachusetts legal standard for butter fat 7.00%
Average of samples collected 12.33%
Bacteria per cubic centimeter limited by local regulation to 250,000
Average in samples collected 41,000
New Regulations
Although there has been several additions and amendments to the laws governing the production and sale of milk during the past year, none of them have been of more importance to the producer and inspector than that of Chapter 310 of the Acts of 1924, amend- ing Chapter 94 of the General Laws.
170
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Under the provisions of Chapter 94, as now amended, it became. compulsory for the State Department of Public Health, subject to the approval of the Governor and Council, to make rules and regu- lations and establish standards for the production, processing and sale of what is known as "Grade A" milk, the said rules and regula- tions to include butter fat, bacteria and sanitary standards. Be- fore submitting the said rules and regulations to the Governor and Council the State Department was required to hold hearings at which those objecting to said regulations were given an opportunity to be heard. After several lengthy and spirited hearings the Gov- ernor and Council, on November 19, 1924, approved the following regulations relative to Grade A milk:
Regulation 1
Grade A milk shall be pasteurized within the Commonwealth, and shall be natural cows' milk not more than 48 hours old when pasteurized by heating for a period of not less than 30 minutes to a temperature of not less than 145º Fahrenheit, and immediately thereafter cooled to a temperature of 50° Fahrenheit or lower, and shall be kept at such temperature until delivered to the con- sumer, and when so delivered shall contain not more than 25,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter and not less than 4 per cent milk fat.
Regulation 2
All milk intended to be ultimately sold as Grade A milk shall be produced at dairies receiving from the Board of Health of any town where such Grade A milk is intended to be sold, a permit to produce milk for that purpose. No such permit shall be granted, and any permit so granted shall be revoked by the Board of Health granting it, if the stable and milk room are not clean; if the cows are not healthy; if the cows' udders are not cleaned at milking time; if the cows are not milked with clean dry hands into small- top milk pails or with clean milking machines; if the milk is not removed from the stable immediately after milking in the pails into which it was milked; if the milk is not quickly cooled to a temperature of 50º Fahrenheit or less, and kept at such tempera- ture until delivered; provided, that if the milk is shipped to the receiving station immediately after milking and before its tem- perature can be reduced to 50º Fahrenheit, such milk may be used for Grade A milk if its temperature is quickly reduced at the receiving station to 50º Fahrenheit or less.
Regulation 3
Each person, firm or corporation pasteurizing Grade A milk shall not use for such purpose any milk more than 48 hours old, or any milk obtained from a dairy not having a permit required by Regulation 2, or any milk received at a temperature above 50° Fahrenheit, except as provided in said Regulation, or any milk
171
MILK INSPECTOR'S REPORT
19241
containing more than 250,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter, and shall at least twice a month determine or cause to be determined the bacteria content of the milk of each such dairy.
All records of bacteria counts made under the provisions of this regulation shall be kept for at least one year, and shall be open to inspection by all milk inspectors of cities or towns where the milk is to be sold, and to all officers, inspectors or other employees of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Health.
Regulation 4
Each person, firm or corporation pasteurizing Grade A milk shall keep his plant and apparatus in a clean and sanitary condi- tion, and shall cause all apparatus and utensils used in the pas- teurization of milk to be cleaned at the close of each day's work and to be in a clean condition when next used.
All apparatus used in the pasteurization of Grade A milk shall be equipped with automatic recording thermometers approved by the Department of Public Health, and all temperature records ob- tained in the pasteurization of Grade A milk shall be kept on file for a period of not less than ninety (90) days.
Regulation 5
All bacteria counts shall be determined by the methods of the American Public Health Association. The accepted figure shall be the median of a series of not less than three or more than seven samples taken at approximately the same time.
All samples of Grade A milk taken from delivery vehicles of licensed milk dealers for the purpose of determining the bacterial content thereof, shall be taken from different containers intended for sale. If the samples so taken show upon examination a higher bacterial content than is provided in these regulations, notice shall be sent to the person, firm or corporation from whom these samples were taken, and not less than five (5) days thereafter a second series of samples may be taken. If the examination of the second series shows a higher bacterial content than is provided in these regulations, notice shall be sent as provided herein and not less than three (3) days thereafter a third series of samples may be taken. It shall be considered a breach of these regulations should both the second and third series of samples exceed in bac- terial content that provided herein.
Regulation 6
All bottled Grade A milk shall be covered with a cap and seal or such other covering device as will suitably protect the lip of the bottle from contamination. The cap shall state the day of the week upon which the milk was pasteurized, and shall also bear the words "Grade A Pasteurized."
172
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
This regulation shall become effective thirty (30) days after the previous regulations have become effective.
Whoever himself or by his servant or agent sells, exchanges or delivers or has in his custody or possession with intent to sell, exchange or deliver any milk designated as "Grade A Milk" and not conforming to the rules, regulations and standards made and established hereunder shall be punished for the first offence by a fine of not more than fifty dollars and for a subsequent offence within one year by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars.
If the above regulations are to be enforced, and the State De- partment of Health at a recent meeting of the milk inspectors stated that strict adherence to the regulations will be required, the duties of your inspector will be necessarily increased. More time must be devoted to the work and a more thorough system of in- spection maintained at both the dairy and the distributing plant; therefore, some provision must be made the coming year to care for the expense of making the required inspections.
In conclusion I wish to state that the sum of $32.50 has been re- ceived from licenses and the said amount has been turned over to the collector and his receipt obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
December 31, 1924.
C. W. HORTON, Milk Inspector.
173
REPORT OF HEALTH NURSE
1924]
Report of Health Nurse
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1924:
During the past year all children in the elementary grades and those of the first and second grades of the Junior High School have been given a complete physical examination. In addition to this work, sight and hearing tests were made and the children measured and weighed at regular intervals. When a defect is found a notice is sent to the parents with recommendation as to the steps which should be taken to correct the same.
It has been most gratifying to note the remarkable improvement in the physical condition of our school children, as shown in the report of the health officer, and is a splendid example of the value of health education. Much of the improvement has been due to the valuable assistance which the principals and teachers have given me in my work.
Plans for new work have been delayed by the prevalence of scar- let fever and the direction of my attention to the visiting of the homes where children were reported absent because of illness. As a result of these visits many cases have been found which would not otherwise have been discovered or reported. These visits also brought attention to many cases of need, due in a large manner to unemployment, and they have been cared for in various ways with- out calling upon the town for aid.
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks and appreciation of the valuable assistance and hearty co- operation which I have received from the physicians, teachers and parents during the year in giving the child a chance. I also wish to acknowledge my appreciation of the assistance which has been so heartily accorded me by the various organizations of the town in solving the many financial problems which have confronted me during the year.
174
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The following is a summary of the work done:
Visits to schools
280
Old cases cured
20
Visits to homes (old)
188
Visits to homes (new)
188
Taken to dispensary (old)
8
Taken to dispensary (new)
18
School consultation (parents)
141
School consultation (pupils)
118
Examinations for uncleanliness
286
Defective vision (examination)
750
Corneal ulcer
20
Defective hearing (examination)
750
Other diseases
3
Pediculoses
20
Eczema
1
Impetigo
18
Scabies
4
Wounds
4
Scoliosis
13
Nervous
3
Miscellaneous
323
Physical examination
1,072
Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND, R.N.,
Health Nurse.
December 31, 1924.
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1924.
Plumbing permits issued 124
Installations approved 127
Respectfully submitted,
E. C. PHILLIPS, Inspector of Plumbing.
December 31, 1924.
175
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
1924]
Report of Inspector of Slaughtering
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1924:
There has been about the usual amount of slaughtering carried on in town this year and the work has been done in a satisfactory manner. While the usual care has been used in inspecting car- casses for cholera and other diseases, particular attention has been given to the examinations for the detection of tubercular lesions.
While this part of the work has not been omitted in the past, still inspectors, in general, have considered tuberculosis as a disease found in cattle rather than swine.
No licenses have been issued for slaughtering during the year, but permission has been given to any one who applied, subject to health regulations.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK B. STRATTON, M.D.V., Inspector of Slaughtering.
December 31, 1924.
176
TOWN DOUCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Town Engineer
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- Herewith I submit my twelfth annual report of the service rendered by the Engineering Department for the various departments for the year ending December 31, 1924:
The Engineering Department has had charge of the following line of work: The designing and superintending of the construction of all drains and sewers, surfacing of all streets built by contract, together with the specifications and estimates for the same; the establishing of street grades and lines for curbstones and grano- lithic sidewalks; all data and plans relating to the laying out of private ways for acceptance as public streets, and all engineering questions which come before the boards of the several depart- ments. During the past year the estimates approved by this de- partment have amounted to $40,000, and all contracts have con- formed with the specifications therein described.
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