USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1890-1893 > Part 40
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It is usual to have from one to five cases of typhoid in different parts of the town through the year; but why it should prevail this
89
year in one district, as it has, is a question the Board cannot answer, notwithstanding a careful inquiry into the matter. Many theories have been brought forward, but they are only theories, and nothing has been found that could satisfactorily explain the visitation of this dread disease.
The sanitary condition of the locality has been blamed for it, but we think unjustly, as it is no worse to-day than it has been for years, and, as a whole, is not in an uncleanly condition. To be sure there are places where the privy and sink drains are not kept in proper condition, but all these places did not have typhoid fever, while others that were apparently clean did have it. There · are places in the Centre and other parts of the town that in sum- mer are as bad or even worse than the "hill" district; and yet they had no typhoid.
The pollution of the water-supply was another supposed cause, and of them all this seems the most probable; but yet, after a careful chemical and microscopical analysis of the contents of dif- ferent wells supplying water to people living in houses where the disease occurred, no germs of the disease were found, and it could not be positively said that patients were infected by drinking well water. Pollution of drinking water usually results from the con- tents of privy vaults, cesspools, etc., flowing into it, carrying bacteria and disease germs which are transferred to the human system by drinking the water. In this case the origin of the dis- ease in the district by water pollution is eliminated, as the Melvin- street district is supplied with town water from Crystal Lake, and by analysis this has been shown to be comparatively pure. But in Wiley place there is no water-supply except from wells; and here we might expect to find the origin of the fever and would look for the largest number of cases; but in the whole of Wiley place there were only two houses in which the disease occurred, while every house is supplied with water from a well. And those wells which furnished drinking water for the persons who had the fever also supplied others who did not contract the disease.
In seeking the source of the trouble, the Board was impressed with the fact that nearly every one who was taken sick with typhoid fever at this time was employed in the factory of the Wakefield Rattan Company, and our attention was directed to
12
90
this place as possibly furnishing a solution of the question. Of thirty-three cases reported between August 27 and November 1, sixteen patients were employed in the factory, and ten other cases occurring in the same families resulted by infection, no doubt ; so that twenty-six cases may be said to have been more or less intimately connected with the factory. To determine, if possible, whether the unsanitary state of the rattan works was to blame, the Board together with Mr. Fales, agent of the State Board of Health visited the grounds, and samples of water from both the wells from which operatives are accustomed to drink in sum- mer were taken, and also from the taps supplying wash water for washing the cane. The wash water is water that flows from the Centre Pond to a reservoir on the grounds, where it is dammed up; and, after being used, flows off by the brook running down Water street. The water in this reservoir on the day of exami- nation was so filthy that a strong odor arose from it, and the sur- face was nearly covered with a thick green scum, showing to the naked eye that it must be a fertile field for the growth of bacteria. The analysis of this water as given below shows it to abound in bacteria, 7,820 being found in one cubic centimeter. This water is not used for drinking purposes, of course. Well A is the upper well near the stable, just within the Water street gate, and was used a great deal during the summer by the operatives. The water here was found to be quite pure on examination, and not open to suspicion. Well B is situated at the lower part of the yard and is several feet lower than well A. This well was not used so much as the other one, as complaint was made that the water did not taste so good ; and, on analysis, it proves to com- pare unfavorably with the upper well. In no one of the samples examined were typhoid germs found; and as typhoid fever is recognized as a disease due to a specific poison, the typhoid bacillus, which is probably never generated de novo, the examina- tions made have failed to show any water contaminated by the poison, and so have failed to locate the origin of the disease. However, as its development is favored by decomposing animal matter, such as is found in foul drains, stagnant water, etc., we can readily understand how it should develop near those sources of water supply which have been shown to be polluted.
91
The only conclusion we could reach after our investigation, was that a mild, and therefore unrecognized, case occurred during the early fall in this district; and, favored by water pollution or otherwise, the disease spread by infection among those whose sys- tems were open to the fever at that time.
The report of the State Board of Health on the analysis of water taken from various wells and from the town supply is given below. It will be noticed that the faucet water of which so much complaint has been made at different times is shown to rank very high in purity.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH .- EXPERIMENT STATION.
LAWRENCE, MASS., Oct. 1, 1891. J. A. O'LEARY, M.D.,
Secretary of Board of Health, Wakefield, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-I enclose analyses of waters obtained from Wakefield on Sept. 14 and 19.
All of the wells, except A and B and that used by McGlynn, are so evi- dently polluted by sewage as to be dangerous, when there are diseases in their drainage areas, communicable by sewage-polluted waters.
None of the typhoid bacillus were found in the samples examined.
Respectfully,
HIRAM F. MILLS,
Chairman of Committee of State Board of Health.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Sept., 1891.
State Board of Health. - Lawrence Experiment Station. - Water Analysis. Parts in 100,000.
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN
BAC- TERIA
NO.
Collection.
Examination.
Hour.
C.º Temperature.
Turbidity.
Sediment.
Color.
Free.
Albuminoid.
CHLORINE.
as Nitrates.
as Nitrites.
Oxygen
Bacteria grown
at Blood-heat.
in one cubic centimeter, on
gelatine.
7294
14
15
4.10
12°
0
very slight
.00
0
.0004
.0018
.70
37
.0000
00
83
94
Well "A", upper well at Rattan Factory.
7295
14
15
4.00
18°
0
slight
.04
0
.0002
.0044
.56
.65
.0008
06
158
1,280
Well "B" lower well at Rattan Factory.
7297
14
15
4.05
22°
slight
slight
.40 decided
.1300
.0380
2.00
.02
.0030
.40 22,140
7,520
Wash water, from tap in Rattan Factory. Well used by Bateman, Bennett street.
7296
14
15
5.00
18°
decided
slight
.15
0
.0300
0120
6.64
3.71
.0044
.05
86
840
7344
19
21
12.00
12"
0
very slight
·05
0
.0040
.0084
1.84
2.47
.0018
.01
1,680
1,500
" Farrington, Melvin street.
7345
19
21
12.15
15°
0
very slight
.05
0
0042
0100
1.48
1.09
.0012
.04
1,440
2,080
A
" O'Neil, Valley street.
7346
19
21
12.25
14°
very slight slight
.03
0
.0012
.0074
1.10
.56
.0003
.13
70
322
" McGlynn, Wiley place.
7348
19
21
1.30
16"
decided
slight red
30
decided
.6800
.0420
5.80
1.40
.0250
.15
4
55
16
" Hawkes, Wiley place.
7347
19
21
1.05
18°
0
0
.00
0
.0008
.0022
1.84
1.28
.0001
.00
6
47
7343
19
21
12.05
18°
0
0
.15
0
.0004
.0132
.47
.008
.0000
.07
45
83
Wakefield Public Supply from tap.
14
7
17
$6
None of the Typhoid Bacillus were found in any of these waters.
92
66
" Hanley, Bateman court.
.
ODOR.
REMARKS.
consumed.
93
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
As will be seen by the Auditors' Report, the expenses of the Board of Health for this year have been far greater than usual, and this needs some explanation.
One of the largest items is the bill for services of the Health Officer from March 26, 1890, to February, 1891, which is $232.10. This is largely for work performed during the epidem- ics of scarlet fever and measles in the fall, winter and spring of 1890-91, during which time, there were over three hundred cases of those diseases. The Health Officer is the only member of the Board who receives any remuneration for extra services, besides the due portion of the $50, which forms the salary of the whole Board. As he is the executive officer, all the heavy work falls upon him, and he must investigate nuisances, placard houses, and attend to the various duties of the health department.
But the greatest part of the extra expenditure was money paid for assistance to poor families, during the run of typhoid fever last fall. Occurring, as it did, among people who could ill afford the burden of sickness of any kind, it found some families wholly unprepared for the long siege and heavy expense that accompa- nies this fever, and in need of immediate assistance. Appeals were made to the town for aid and were referred to the Board of Health, as the matter came under the head of contagious diseases.
Chap. 80, Sec. 40, of the Public Statutes provides that
"When a person coming from abroad or residing in a town in this state is infected, or lately has been infected, with the plague, or other sickness dangerous to the public health, except as is oth- erwise provided in this chapter, the board shall make effectual provi- sion in the manner which it judges best for the safety of the inhab- itants, by removing such person to a separate house, or otherwise, and by providing nurses and other assistance and necessaries, which shall be at the charge of the person himself, his parents, or master, if able, otherwise at the charge of the town to which he belongs; or, if he is not an inhabitant of any town, at the charge of the Commonwealth."
Acting under this authority, we answered all reasonable cal's for aid, furnished physicians, supplied medicines, blankets, fuel,
94
in short, all things necessary, for the well being of the patients, and kept watch of the cases until recovery was established.
As the average duration of this disease is about thirty days, it will be readily understood why the expense was so great for the number of persons assisted. In some cases only one member of the family was sick, while in others there were two or more. Some families asked assistance in part only, as for a nurse, or medicine, while others were in need of everything, which we supplied.
We were obliged to send to Boston for nurses as the local nurses were unavailable for this disease.
Some of the money spent in this way will be refunded to the town, we have no doubt, as soon as the persons assisted have an opportunity to get on their feet again.
Below is a tabulated list of expenses :
No. of families assisted, 10 No. of persons assisted, 23
Physicians' fees, $213 75 Nurses' fees, $439 89
Medicines, etc., 118 70 Food and supplies, 55 08
Besides the above there are about $125 more in bills that will have to go on to next year's account, because of delay in sending them in before the last appropriation was exhausted.
Respectfully submitted,
J. B. WILEY, J. A. O'LEARY, M. D., C. E. NILES, Board of Health.
WAKEFIELD, Feb. 1, 1892.
95
REPORT OF FOREST FIREWARDS.
During the twelve months ending Dec. 31, 1891, there have been sixty-two fires, viz. :
January,
1
July,
4
February,
1 August,
5
March,
3
September,
5
April,
13
October,
3
May,
11
November,
4
June,
2
December,
10
NUMBER OF FIRES IN EACH DISTRICT, AND COST.
DISTRICT.
FIRES.
COST
BUILDING FIRES.
Centre,
11
$17 00
6
Junction,
2
1 75
0
North,
7
13 00
5
South,
13
63 50
2
East,
11
42 00
0
West,
16
23 00
7
Woodville,
2
5 00
1
62
$165 25
21
Average expense of each fire, .
. $2 70
Number of people working on these fires,
290
Average expense of each person, about .
. $0 57
The above includes the expense of a team for carting water to nine fires.
Of these fires thirteen were set by sparks from engines on the B. & M. R. R., the balance being set by children, gunners, acci- dents and incendiaries. At fifty-eight of these fires the only apparatus used was Johnson pumps, buckets and fire cans, or other small appliances, and the fires were stopped by early work
96
from still alarms, and most of these were out in ten minutes after the first still alarm was given; at the other four fires the property first fired was a total loss.
Number of town and private pumps and buckets used, over one hundred each.
Only one building fire was above the first story.
Town fire appliances in charge of the Forest Firewards : 70 Johnson pumps, 60 balloon valves for pumps, 6 top valves, 6 discharge pipes, 6 tips, 5 dozen sprinkler nozzles, 100 2-gallon cans, 50 buckets and 6 water scoops.
This has been the worst year, for fires, in this town since the introduction of Johnson pumps as a fire protection, but the fires have all been comparatively small.
FOREST FIREWARDS' BILLS.
Appropriation, $200 00 .
Expense of 62 fires, $165 25
Two Johnson Pumps, eight bbl. Water Holes, Repairs on Johnson Pumps,
Water Cans and Buckets and other
appliances used by this system, 34 70
$199 95
Balance unexpended, . $0 05
The above report is respectfully submitted, by
R. KENDRICK,
S. T. PARKER,
B. W. OLIVER, Forest Firewards.
97
JOHNSON PUMPS.
In compliance with the vote of the town at its annual meeting, the Forest Firewards herewith furnish a list of the present loca- tions of the town's Johnson Pumps, now numbering seventy, as follows :
No. 1, John A. Meloney, Prospect Street, West District.
" 2, John F. Whiting, Pleasant Street, Centre District
66 3, Wm. H. Atwell, Prospect Street, West District.
66 4, Richard Britton, Main St., . Centre District.
66 5, John M. Cate, Main Street, Centre District.
66 6, C. C. Eldridge, Myrtle Ave, South District.
7, Noah M. Eaton, Park Street, Centre District.
" 8, Caleb Putney, Water Street, Woodville District.
" 9, Z. P. Alden, Court off Green- wood Ave., South District. " 10, W. D. Parker, Wiley Street, Woodville District.
" 11, T. C. Welch, Wiley Place, Woodville District.
" 12, A. A. Currier, W. Albion St., West District.
13, E. H. Walton, Pleasant St., Centre District.
" 14, H. P. Hill, Summer Street, Centre District.
" 15, August Zweeper, Water St., near Saugus line, Woodville District.
" 16, Alden Crocker, Green St., South District.
" 17, G. W. Braxton, cor. West Chestnut and Cedar Streets, West District.
" 18, Samuel Winship, Church Street, Centre District.
" 19, Wm. Mellett, Nahant St., Centre District.
'* 20, In doubt. Not found.
" 21, Michael Low, Bennett St., Centre District.
" 22, S. W. Gordon's Restaurant, Main St., Centre District.
" 23, A. A. Mansfield, Main St., Coal Yard, Centre District.
" 24, J. S. Round, Main Street, Centre District.
No. 25, Geo.K. Gilman, Charles St., Centre District.
"' 26, Chas. Gorham, Lowell St., North District.
" 27, John McManuis, Lowell St., North District.
"' 28, Wm. K. Perkins, Central St., North District.
" 29, Samuel Parker, Main St., North District.
" 30, W. H. Knight, Cordis St., North District.
" 31, J. R. Reid, Salem and Low- ell Streets, East District.
" 32, F. Nickerson, Lowell St., East District.
" 33, Geo. K. Walton, Salem St., East District.
" 34, M. P. Parker, Lowell and Vernon Sts., East District.
" 35, Harris Pratt, Vernon St., East District.
" 36, Isaac E. Green, Main St., Centre District.
" 37, I. F. Sheldon, Main Street, South District.
"' 38, J. G. Brooks, Forest St., South District.
" 39, W. H. Taylor, Grove Street, South District.
" 40, Rodney Edmunds, Court, off Water St., Woodville Dist.
"' 41, Mrs. Ellen Dennehey, Water Street, Woodville District.
" 42, John McGlory, Jr., R. R. St., West District.
" 43, W. W. Bessey's Stable, Albion St., Centre District.
" 44, A. S. Philbrook, R. R. St., West District.
" 45, Thomas Kernan, Gould St., West District.
46, Benjamin Oliver, Nahant St., Woodville District.
47, Geo. E. Donald, Almshouse, Farm St., Woodville Dist.
" 48, Geo. R. Tyzzer, Court, off Water St., Woodville Dis- trict
13
98
No. 49, E. S. Hopkins, Hopkins St., West District.
"' 50, A. P. Linnell's Lunch Room, Main St., Centre District.
" 51, Is missing : strict search has been made for it, but it has not been found.
" 52, A. G. Baxter, Forest Street, South District.
" 53, Geo. F. Roby, Greenwood and Spring St., South Dis- trict.
" 54, S. M. Gates, Green St., South District,
" 55, L. P. Hooper, Nahant St., Woodville District.
" 56, Alex Murray, Farm Street, Woodville District.
" 57, W. M. Ward, Nahant Street, Woodville District.
" 58, Geo. M. Leavens, Salem St., East District.
" 59, Jonathan Buxton, Lowell Street, East District.
No.60, Albert Phinney, New Salem Street, East District.
" 61, Everett Nichols, Vernon St., North District.
" 62, Jonathan N. McMaster, Ver- non Street, East District.
63, J.S. Newhall, Lowell Street, North District.
" 64, Timothy McCauliff, R.R.St., West District.
" 65, Geo. H. Teague, Converse Street, West District.
" 66, D. D. Douglas, Broadway Street, West District.
" 67, John F. Stimpson, Prospect Street, West District.
" 68, Wm. Darling, Main Street, South District.
" 69, Chas. S. Merrill, 72 Morri- son, Avenue, West District.
" 70, Chas. W. Sunman, Pitman Avenue, South District.
B. W. OLIVER, SAMUEL T. PARKER, RUFUS KENDRICK, Forest Firewards.
1
99
OVERSEERS' REPORT.
The duties of the Overseers have been very much the same this year as usual. We found we were coming short of funds, some extraordinary expenses being incurred by reason of the epidemic of typhoid fever, we having to provide nurses, etc., and we had to call upon the town for an extra appropriation of $500, which has been nearly all expended.
The work of the Board increases from year to year, as our town grows and the calls for assistance come oftener, so that we shall soon have to increase our annual appropriations.
The Danforth children, who were in the house at the beginning of the year, were placed in the New England Home for Little Wanderers and have found good homes; we have also placed James Barry in a good home. The health of the inmates has been good the past year, with the exception of such trouble as is incident upon old age.
The farm has produced large crops the past year, but prices for farm products have ruled very low so that the farm does not make so good a showing as it otherwise would.
The work of reclaiming the meadow land along the Saugus River has been continued with good results.
The farm is in excellent condition and reflects honor upon the town and credit upon its Superintendent and his wife, whom we have engaged for another year.
It is the desire of the Board and also of the Superintendent that the townspeople might, by personal inspection, see the farm and its workings, and to that end Mr. Donald and his wife extend to all the citizens of Wakefield a hearty invitation to visit them at anytime, when they will be cordially welcomed and shown about the farm.
100
Our experiment of delivering goods from the Almshouse store has proved a success, and ought to be continued.
Respectfully submitted, HIRAM EATON, DEXTER C. WRIGHT, JOHN G. MORRILL,
WAKEFIELD, Feb. 8, 1892.
Overseers of Poor.
101
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
To ihe Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-The Engineers of the Fire Department herewith present their annual report, with a statement of its force and apparatus, together with a complete record of all alarms of fire.
The force of the Department consists of three (3) Fire Engi- neers, one (1) Engineer, one (1) Assistant Engineer, one (1) Steward, thirty (30) Hosemen, fifteen (15) Hook and Ladder men and one (1) Volunteer Hose Co.
The apparatus remains the same as last year, with the addition of 100 ft. of hose for the Chemical Engine at Montrose.
The Engineers have caused six iron reservoir covers to be placed as follows : one on reservoir at the North Ward, one at junction of Salem and Pleasant streets, one on Park street, one on Elm street, one on Richardson street and one at Greenwood.
During the year the location of the Steamer has been changed to the intended engine house, corner of Crescent and Mechanic streets, and is now located in the basement of the building, and during the coming year it is the intention to remove the Carter Hose and Washington Hook and Ladder companies to this build- ing, which is more central than past locations, and must necessa- rily tend to make the Department more efficient, by being able to respond more quickly to the alarms.
During the year the Department lost by death one of its mem- bers, David Graham, who has served faithfully as Steward of Steamer Lucius Beebe Co. since its organization.
The accident to P. J. Flanders, Jan. 7th, is the only one which has occurred during the year, to any member of the Department, while on duty.
During the year the Fire Alarm has been extended, and boxes located and numbered as follows : Box 6, located near the Alms- house ; Box 26, at the junction of Church and Railroad streets ; making in all a total of ten boxes. And your Board would recommend that the system be still further extended, and a box
102
located near Wakefield Highlands ; also that a box be located at the junction of Salem and Vernon streets, as recommended last year.
During the year the Volunteer Hose Company have responded to all alarms and done efficient service, and your Board would recommend that the town pay said company a suitable compensa- tion for their services the ensuing year; they deserve the thanks and praise of the community they endeavor to so faithfully serve.
ALARMS.
Feb. 18, Box 35, house corner Melvin and Cottage streets.
Apr. 24, Box 35, Enos Wiley's Barn.
Apr. 27, Box 41, Dr. Davis' house.
May 4, Box 41, woods on Lowell street.
May 8, Box 35, woods on Wiley street.
May 16, Box 23, Maria E. Butts' bake-house, Stoneham.
June 13, Box 35, Wakefield Block.
Sept. 3, Box 23, Eustis Estate, Elm street.
Sept. 8, Box 41, Dr. Davis' house, corner Lowell and Vernon streets.
Sept. 21, Box 31, Wakefield Estate, house near Rattan Factory.
Dec. 3, Box 23, old depot, Railroad street.
Jan. 7, Box 35, John Johnson's house.
In closing this report, we desire to tender our thanks to the Selectmen and other town officials, for the interest shown by them in the welfare of the department, and their uniform courtesy at all times.
To the officers and members of the department, we are under obligations for the good will shown, and for the promptness with which you have responded to all alarms, and the cheerful manner in which you have performed all duties.
The expense of the department has not exceeded the appropri- ation. See report of Auditors.
Respectfully submitted, HORACE W. DALRYMPLE, LEVI FLANDERS, ROGER HOWARD, Sec.,
Engineers.
103
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the Citizens of Wakefield :
I herewith present my report of matters connected with the Treasurer's department for the fiscal year closing February 1, 1892.
TRUST FUNDS.
EZRA EATON BURIAL-LOT FUND, $100.
This fund was a gift to the town, March 2, 1857, the income of which is used at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen to keep in repair the burial lot of the late Ezra Eaton.
The sum of $3 has been expended by the selectmen the past year.
THE FLINT MEMORIAL FUND, $1000.
This fund, from Mrs. Harriet N. Flint, is for the benefit of the Beebe Town Library, the interest thereon to be expended in the purchase of books.
The sum of $60 as interest one year to Feb. 1, 1892, has been paid to the Trustees of the Library.
DR. F. P. HURD LIBRARY FUND, $2500.
This fund is for the benefit of the Beebe Town Library, and is invested in coupon notes of the town of Wakefield, bearing interest at the rate of four per centum per annum.
C. WAKEFIELD LIBRARY FUND, $500.
This fund is also for the benefit of the Library, and is invested in the same manner as the Dr. Hurd Fund.
JONATHAN NICHOLS TEMPERANCE FUND, $1000.
This fund was a gift to the town on certain conditions as des- cribed in the vote accepting the same. The conditions are such that any young man of Wakefield, who files his name with the
104
Town Clerk, before he is sixteen years of age and declares his intention not to drink intoxicating liquors, and not to chew or smoke tobacco, until he shall become twenty-one years of age, and shall have kept his pledge until that time, shall receive from the income of the fund ten dollars, together with a certificate of commendation from the Selectmen.
The Town Clerk has enrolled up to the present time, the names of 280 young men who have thus pledged themselves, and the Treasurer has paid the fee to five young men during the past year, who have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and certified that they have kept their pledge, making a total of twenty-one, since the fund became operative.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST.
Balance available at last report, ·
$184 29 Interest on fund and balance to Feb. 1, 1892, . 47 37
Total, . .
$231 66 ·
Paid Feb. 27, 1891, Chas. H. Morley, $10 00
April 23, 1891, Albert J. Madden, 10 00
May 14, 1891, Jos. B. Burdett, ·
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