USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1922-1926 > Part 18
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The collections from other towns and cities and the Com- monwealth have been greater than ever before. During 1925 we collected $9709.65 which has been turned to the Town Treasurer.
98
A marked increase in deserted families and neglected children has occurred in the past few years and we have pro- secuted these cases to the best of our ability. In this work we have been willingly assisted by the Police Department to whom we express our gratitude. We also wish to thank the Sewer Commission for giving preference to laborers who we re- commended. fo other Boards and Officials we extend our thanks for their cooperation.
Respectfully Submitted,
HENRY ROBIDA, Chairman, GEO. H. HARTWELL, JR., Clerk, HERMAN J. LAMOTHE, Visitor.
99
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
Gentlemen :
The Board of Health, Alfred J. Peloquin, Philias S. Ca- ron and Dr. Charles Simpson, organized as follows:
Alfred J. Peloquin, Chairman ; Dr. Chas. Simpson, Secy. and physician for the board.
Following is list of contagious diseases reported to the board during the year:
Diphtheria 28
Chickenpox 6
Influenza
3
Measles
5
Lobar Pneumonia
13
Mumps
1
Scralet Fever
1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis . 7
Typhoid Fever
3
Total 67
Following are the deaths for the year by months :
January 18
July 9
February
12
August 16
March
11
September
8
April
8
October
14
May
10
November
7
June
13
December 14
Total 140
100
Males 72 Females
Total
140
68
Following are deaths for the year by diseases :
Diseases of Brain 14
Influenza
1
Diseases of Heart 17
Pneumonia
1
Premature Birth 12
Diphtheria
3
Cancer 144
Marasmus
1
Nephritis 10
Gastritis
1
Arterio Sclerosis 8
Strangulated Hernia 1
Bronchitis 5
Eclampsia
1
Angina Pectoris
4
Ictura
1
Accidental 6
Ulser Cardiac of Stomach 1
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
4
All others 3
General Tuberculosis
1
Still-born 12
Diabetes
2
Unknown;
Broncho Pneumonia
2
Medical Examiner 11
Lobar Pneumonia
4
Total 140
Last year in our report we recommended that the town erect and maintain a Sanitary Station in the business section of the town. since that time an article was inserted into a town warrant and at a special town meeting, the matter was referred to the Board of Health to investigate and report at a later meeting, which report will be made at the annual meet- ing of March of this year.
The Board has made arrangements with the owner of a track of land on Harrington Street for three years, for its use as a public dump, this is the same land as was used last year but we believe the plan now used is better and a much lower cost to the town.
101
The collection of garbage has continued with better re- sults this year, as the people become more used to the method, more cooperation is shown, the Board believes that a can for each family instead of one can for the whole building brings better collection and recommends that each family have a covered galvanized iron can owned by them and that they use only their own for their own garbage.
The Dental Clinic has continued with good results and each of the Dentist as they are called to have charge of the clinic, have shown great interest and at this time we wish to express our appreciation for their services in this good work for the health of the children, in the Nurse's report will be found a more detailed report.
Following will be found the report of the reports of the Physician for the Board, Agent, Nurse, Inspectors of Plumb- ing, Milk, and Slaughtering.
Very respectfully,
ALFRED J. PELOQUIN, CHARLES SIMPSON, M.D., PHILIAS S. CARON, Board of Health.
102
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as agent to your board for the year ending December 31, 1925.
All complaints received at the office have been investigat- ed and in every case have been adjusted or abated to the satisfaction of each party.
As the public become educated in sanitation, each year finds more co-operation with the Board of Health in keeping yards and houses in more cleanly condition.
Houses where there have been contagious diseases have been placarded according to law and in most cases quarantine has been observed, thus preventing the chances of contact and later an epidemic.
The years work has in every way been pleasant and at this time I wish to thank the Board for there constant help in the work of this office.
Very respectfully yours,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Agent.
103
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report as Board of Health Nurse for the year 1925.
"Diphtheria is one of the most fatal diseases of child- hood. It kills thousands of children each year while many more suffer from serious after-effects."
The above is a quotation from a health bureau and it em- phasizes the need of strict precaution as well as isolation.
Such a waste of human life and health is needless since all children can be made safe from diphtheria.
School children of may cities and towns throughout the country are receiving the protective treatment from their family doctor or under the supervision of the health depart- ment. The process of this treatment consists of two parts.
1. The Shick Test, which shows whether or not a per- son can take diphtheria.
2. Immunization treatment, which prevents those who are susceptible to diphtheria from catching the disease.
The recent outbreak of diphtheria in this community ought to stimulate parents to protect their children by the simple and harmless Schick Test.
104
Number of visits to Diphtheria cases 82
Number of visits to Scarlet Fever cases 2
Number of visits to Typhoid cases 8
Number of visits to Measles cases 3
Number of visits to Chicken Pox cases 2
Number of visits to (congenital) Syphilis case 3
Every human being can help to protect himself against tuberculosis if he will only exercise care and follow the gen- eral rules of hygiene.
The patient has a double duty : first, to himself, in order to become once more a useful member of society and secondly, by observing protective regulations, to prevent his family and others in the neighborhood from acquiring the disease.
The tuberculosis dispensary was opened every Monday evening from 5 to 7, for people who have the disease and wish to benefit by periodical examinations and advice.
Number of visits to active tubercular cases 71
Number of visits to quiescent cases 52
Number of visits to suspicious cases 6
Number of visits to contacts 61
Number of patients examined at dispensary 27
Follow-up reports on all cases of tuberculosis were sent to the State Department of Health, as well as a monthly re- port on cases examined at the dispensary.
Number of follow-up visits 21
Milk is the best food for growing children. It contains all the food material needed for growing bones and muscles. Milk combined with bread, cereals, and vegetables should be the main part of the diet of boys and girls.
105
Half pint bottles of milk, are served in nearly all class- rooms at St. Mary's School. When the milk lunch is served in the mid-forenoon the influence of numbers is keenly felt. Children want to do what other children are doing. In this way it is possible to induce children to drink milk at school, who refuse to do so at home.
Number of class-rooms serving milk 5
Number of bottles served during the school year.
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.
May June Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
876 867 1022
815
1528
890
979
1280 934 714
Total
9905.
Children ten per cent or more underweight have been weighed twice during the school year and instructed in such fundamentals as rest, fresh air, bathing and proper clothing, are very important in helping to bring the malnourished child up to normal.
Diet is an all-important factor in overcoming malnutri- tion.
The following tables show that the majority of under- weights have gained.
CHILDEN 10 PER CENT UNDERWEIGHT.
St. Mary's
Enroll
May
Dec.
Grade I
30
9
5
Grade 11
13
1
0
Grade 111
14
3
1
Grade IV
28
8
4
Grade V
16
3
0
Grade VI
16
4
2
106
Grade VII
12
5
2
Grade VIII
17
3
2
146
36 or 24 pc.
16 or 9 pc.
The Worcester County children's vacation camp at Ster- ling provided a health vacation for eight children, four boys and four girls. This number included one boy from St. Mary's school. The children sent to this camp were maintained by funds from the sale of Christmas seals. Skilled physicians, -trained nurses, teachers, and play leaders supervised them while the health restoring outdoor life brought back ruddy cheeks.
The care of the children's mouths up to the age of twelve years is morth more than that spent later in repairing the re- sults of disease. The work in the clinic stimulates the children to start the habit of mouth cleanliness early and begin the regular visits to the dentist.
The dental clinic was opened every Monday and Tuesday forenoon from 9 to 11:45, from October 1st to June 1st.
Number of children who reported to clinic first time 288
Number of extractions 299
Number of children who had teeth cleaned 345
Number of fillings
72
Number of treatments 13
Number of oral examinations
62
Number of tooth brushes sold 150
The usual physical examination was made by the school physician assisted by the nurse. With the exception of dental caries, infected tonsils and enlarged adenoids was the defect
107
most frequently encountered. Abnormal tonsils and adenoids often prevent children from getting sufficient air. They should be removed.
All class rooms visited and health talks given as often as possible.
Number of class room visits 28
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
108
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR.
To the Honorable Board of Health :
I herewith submit my report as Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1925.
The following fixtures have been installed during the year in houses classified below :
Water Closets 135 Sinks 114
Bath Tubs
114 Bowls 121
Wash Trays
30
These were installed in 29 single houses; 13 2-tenment; 19 3-tenement; 1 theatre; 1 hotel; 4 business blocks; 3 fac- tories and additional fixtures have been placed in 13 other buildings.
On this work I have made 81 water tests and on work where water test was impossible or impracticable I have made inspections and other tests.
There have been 34 new houses connected with sewer; 12 new houses connected with cesspools; 11 old houses con- nected with sewers and 4 old houses connected with cess- pools during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector.
109
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK.
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby render my report for the year ending December 31, 1925.
As Inspector of Milk, I have issued 50 licenses to peddle milk; 10 licenses to sell milk in stores and 4 licenses to sell oleomargarine in stores. I have collected for these license the sum of $32.00 which I have turned over to the Town Treasurer who gave receipt for same.
As in former years samples have been taken by State Department of Public Health, Boston for analysis and the average result has been good, there is some demand that the town do this here, but as yet there is not any apparatus to do the work.
Most of the milk sold here is not over twelve hours old therefor not high in bacteria if properly cared for after deliv- ery ; one peddler is selling pasteurized milk and this I believe is a step in the right direction.
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector.
110
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING.
- -
To the Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as your Inspector of Slaught- ering, for the year ending December 31, 1925.
Whole number of carcasses inspected 407
Number of carcasses of beef 54
Number of carcasses of veal 184
Number of carcasses of swine
205
Number of carcasses condemned-beef 2
The carcasses condemned were for tuberculosis and have been destroyed according to law.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN HALPIN, Inspector.
As Assistant Inspector of Slaughtering, I report that I insected the following carcasses :
Veal-2,
Swine-1,
Total-3
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector.
111
REPORT OF PHYSICIAN.
Following is my report and recommendations as phy- sician for the year ending December 31, 1925.
The Tuberculosis Clinic
Tuberculosis is a very serious disease no matter how slight the symptoms may be. It is often difficult to convince patients of this seriousness as they sometimes do not feel sick but when tuberculosis is diagnosed the patient should put himself at once into the hands of a physician. Tuber- culosis deserves to be taken with the utmost seriousness.
Since 1904 the Tuberculosis death rate for the United States has been cut in half. But the fight is not the fight of any one country. It is the fight of all humanity. And when all Humanity fights than shall the Great White Plague that has whitened the world with tombstones for more than two thousand years be driven from the Earth.
No medicine will cure Tuberculosis-but it can be cured by fresh air day and night, winter and summer, rain or shine.
By rest, good nourishment, freedom from worry, and supervision by trained physicians. Better than cure is pre- vention through regular examination by a physician, sanitary living and working conditions, and always fresh air and sun- shine.
The disease attacks lungs, skin, brain and bone. Rich
112
or Poor are exposed. It attacks all ages from babyhood to old age. Acute danger periods are infancy and early adult life.
The greatest death toll is exacted between 35 and 45 the most productive years of life-just when the family is most dependent on breadwinner or homemaker.
Tuberculosis is preventable regardless of previous infec- tion, family history or race. It is true that the child of tuber- culous parents with whom he is closely associated in infancy " becomes rapidly and heavily infected at an early age and hence such a child is likely to develop tuberculosis.
The Tuberculosis Clinic in the Town Hall is open every Monday from five to seven o'clock. The Board of Health Nurse along with the Physician are there to render services to the public. This service is without charge.
The Schick Test.
Not so many years ago Diphtheria was the black enemy of childhood. All over the world it claimed a frightful toll. And the tragedy was that three-quarters of its victims were little tots under six, hardly more than babies. Swiftly it struck with deadly result-without warning and there was no sure way to combat it.
The Schick Message is that if mothers and fathers and all others who love children will help, this dread disease that has blotted out so many lives can be wiped out. Children need not have Diphtheria. It can be prevented.
Would you willingly permit a man to drive an automo- bile into a crowd of little children? Why then permit Diph- theria-unchecked to mow them down?
113
Today, eminent specialist state positively and definitely that through modern preventive treatment Diphtheria can be Stamped Out. Some children are able to resist the germs of Diphtheria.
Others are not. The wonderful discovery of Dr. Schick of Vienna, is now being used to show which children need protection which are susceptible and which are not. The Schick Test consists in giving the child a tiny injection in the skin of the arm. If after a few days a red spot appears where the injection was made, the child is susceptible. If no spot appears, the child is immune.
Children who show by the Schick Test that they are liable to Diphtheria can be given at once the Toxen-Antitoxen Pre- ventive Treatment. This treatment consists of three injec- ttions of Toxen-Antitoxen, one each week for three weeks. The Schick Test does not make the child immune, but authori- ties agree that the Toxen Treatment does. Experience shows that both are painless and harmless.
This year the Board of Health Physician has introduced the Schick Test in all schools and needs your heartiest coop- eration. If your child brings home a request for your approval for the Test or the Toxen-Antitoxen treatment do not hesitate to give permission. If you love them Make them safe.
Diptheria is extremely contagious. Have your childrens' throats examined at first suggestion of a cold or of a fever. The disease is caused by a germ that lodges in the throat and later forms a membrane. Death is frequently caused by stran- gulation and the agony of the struggling child beggars des- cription.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES SIMPSON, M. D. Physician for the Board of Health.
115
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE
The Cemetery Committee organized for the year of 1925 with George H. Hartwell Jr. as Chairman and S. W. Williams as Clerk.
The Cemetery work was carried along the usual lines during the year just ending giving special attention to the perpetual care lots and as much care as possible to the lots not having this care.
It is necessary to do an increasing amount of work on the gravel drives every year. The use of automobiles necessitates a constant effort on the part of the workmen to keep them in proper condition.
A great deal of time has to be spent every year in grading sunken graves. This requires the removal of the sod, filling the depression with loam, stamping the grave and replacing the sod. This year we have graded over three hundred graves in this manner.
We have been able during the year to give more atten- tion to the sections located on the outskirts of the Cemetery. For a number of years we have had to neglect these sections due to a lack of funds. While we have not been able to do all the work we would like to have done, we feel a start has been made and know with the attention we will be able to give these parts from now on it will only be a few years be- fore they will be in as good condition as the rest of the Ceme- tery.
116
Every year we have endeavored to give what is know: as the old part of the Cemetery, the part that was filled be fore perpetual care was originated, an increasing amount o care. This year, due to a greater income, we have repaired the Main street arch, re-set the curbing along the drive lead ing to Main Street and made several minor improvements.
The greater part of July was spent working on the trac of land given the Cemetery a year ago. What underbrus! had grown during the year was cut out, also a few dead tree removed. By doing this work we have endeavored to fulfil the provision of the gift in which we agreed to keep this lo in the best of condition.
It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge with sin cere appreciation the construction of the fine cement road and sidewalk at the main entrance to the Cemetery. This wa made possible by the interest and generosity of Hon. Calvin D. Paige. An entrance of this kind has been badly needed for a great many years. We now have an approach that wil be a lasting satisfaction to all those who are in any way in terested in the Cemetery.
It is of great encouragement to the Committee to note the increasing interest that is being taken in a material way by our citizens in the welfare of the Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. HARTWELL, Jr. Chairman ALVA L. HYDE, CLARENCE F. MORSE, EMERY A. LAVALLEE, WARDWELL M. EDWARDS, DANIEL T. MORRILL.
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117
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY
TRUSTEES OF JACOB EDWARDS LIBRARY
George Grant
Fred E. Corbin
Louis O. Rieutord
Henry Tetreault
For the Town
Francis L. Chapin John E. Paige
E. B. Armstrong For the Fund
LIBRARIAN Ella Miersch
ASSISTANT Madolyn Murphy
JANITOR
Romaldo di Bonaventura
LIBRARY HOURS
Week days, except January 1, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. 10 to 12 a. m., 2 to 5:30. 6:30 to 9 p. m.
118
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Library :
USE
A circulattion of 70,641 volumes during 1925 contrast- ed with the 47,788 volumes 'taken out' ten years ago, during - our first year in the new building, tells the tale of the constant- ly increasing use of the library-increasing use by both adults and children, by the seeker for amusement and the seeker for knowledge. The percentage of fiction circulated has decreas- ed a bit, which indicates that the seeker after knowledge is increasing.
With real encouragement, almost any number of children would use the library. We have unfortunately not the num- ber of assistants required for that sort of work. Swarms of children use the library after school hours (many days we seem to be a reference library for the high schools. This is as it should be. We would however, call to the attention of the townspeople that they are thus saved providing an ade- quate high school library, which is a growing custom and is required in some states. That we may meet the needs of these young people, we need greatly increased stocks of stand- ard and reference books.
GROWTH
Nine hundred and three volumes were added during the year. 469 of which were bought to replace wornout books. Seven hundred and ninety volumes were discarded, because they were worn, dirty or out of date-books on prohibition,
119
woman suffrage, old books on etiquette, science, education, and health. Books out of date are not only of no value in a library, but are a detriment, as people often choose them in- stead of the up-to-date book, which will give them the informa- tion they seek.
The library now contains 25,280 volumes.
ACTIVITIES
Instruction in the use of the library was given to the fresh- man class of the Mary E. Wells high school and to the pupils of the continuation schools, in small groups.
A new service. which is welcomed by many readers, is the series of reading courses published by the American library association, and now available at the Library. Most people feel that their reading might be both more enjoyable and more profitable. 'Reading with a purpose' offers expert ad- vice for study in many fields-the lists are popular and brief and, at the same time, sound. Biology, English and American literature, American government, Music, Sociology, Biography, Economics, Psychology, and Child study are the courses of- fered. All books recommended in the courses are in the li- brary.
GIFTS
Many gifts of books and periodicals are acknowledged elsewhere.
A bequest of fifty dollars. to be used for the purchase of books in French, came to the Library from the estate of Mr. Clement Begin. The books purchased can now be obtained at the library.
120
The Southbridge water supply, through the kindness of Mr. G. H. Abbott, presented to the historical museum belong- ing to the library, an Indian dugout, which had been found in Hatchett Pond. The Library would again call to the atten- tion of the people of Southbridge that here, in a fireproof building, is the natural place to deposit articles connected with the early history of the town.
APPROPRIATION
Merely to be up to the average appropriation for public libraries of other towns of our size, our appropriation should be $10,826. With less, we cannot offer our townspeople what other towns are offering their people, through their public libraries. The great increase in the use of the library during the last few years demands increased numbers of assistants, replaced copies of wornout books and much rebinding of books fit to bind. All of this merely to keep up the present level of the library. However, the demand is large for in- creased opportunities of every sort.
ELLA E. MIERSCH,
Librarian.
CIRCULATION BY MONTHS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
January
1289
4404
4375
5170
4898
5854
5517
5260
5917
6942
February
4456
4159
4108
4899
4842
6238
5661
5136
5825
6416
March
4980
5151
4744
5457
5671
6681
6210
5678
6526
6679
April
4293
4135
4329
4971
4767
5745
5378
4472
5783
5822
May
3851
4144
3669
4362
4236
4759
4372
3980
4973
5184
June
3628
3930
3870
3686
4222
4820
4121
3999
4567
5605
July
3682
3874
3654
4163
4146
5222
4108
4106
4839
5027
August
3653
3748
3605
4276
3732
49)7
3738
4128
5253
5043
September
3603
3249
3544
4130
3700
4177
3591
4067
4743
4962
October
3590
3640
1000
4552
4373
4909
4408
5149
5870
6184
November
3991
3984
4042
4564
5254
1888
4773
5342
5933
6590
December
3848
3966
4225
4529
5458
5201
4496
5324
5814
6189
Total
47864
48384
45165
51759
55299
63494
56373
56641
66043
70641
ACCESSIONS ANI) CIRCULATION
Volumes added in 1925
Volumes low in Library
Volumes circulated in 1924
Volumes circulated in 1925
Per Cent. circulated in 1925
Fiction
67
4.169
34.021
34,584
48.96
Children, Fiction
42
1,787
16.504
18.504
26.12
Children, Non-Fiction
62
1,190
4,621
6.360
9.01
Philosophy
5
344
214
172
25
Religion
2
661
99
104
16
Sociology
44
880
491
593
84
Language
14
696
360
403
.58
Useful Arts
48
968
1,467
1.140
1,61
Fine Arts
29
657
1,052
1,024
1,46
Literature
26
2161
959
1,279
1,82
Travel
26
1.670
998
1.270
1,80
History
7
1.849
632
660
.94
Biography
24
2,00%
706
885
1.26
Bound Periodicals
24
2,969
53
155
.22
Massachusetts Public Documents
2
224
U. S. Public Documents
1
376
Foreign Languages
791
2,461
2.202
3.12
Current Periodicals
1,124
1.086
1.54
Reference Books
11
760
16
8
.01
Ammidown Collection
877
Museum
84
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