USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1922-1926 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
The treatment is simpler than its name would indicate. It consists of an injection of toxin-antitoxin just under the skin once a week for three weeks. There is no harmful effect. In most cases neither you nor the children will be able to detect any effect at all. No illness follows and no scar is left. But the treatment does, almost without exception, make it impos- sible for the children to get diphtheria.
Because young children are more likely to catch diphthe- ria than older children, and more likely to die of it if they do catch it than their older brothers and sisters, it is important to have the treatment administered early. After the baby is six months old, the earlier he is protected against diphtheria. the better.
Older children, particularly those of school age, are not so liable to take diphtheria as younger children. If your child has reached school age and has not yet received the toxin- antitoxin treatment, he may be given the Schick Test to find out if he is likely to take diphtheria. This test is made by- the doctor, who injects a single drop of a harmless fluid under the skin of the arm. If the child is liable to get diphtheria, a red spot appears and remains for a few days where the in-
105
jection was made. If the child is not subject to diphtheria, no red spot appears. The red spot is warning that your child needs the toxin-antitoxin treatment. After that is given, he will be safe.
The very best time to have this matter attended to is right now. There is no absolutely closed season for diphtheria. It can occur every month in the year, but, like many other diseases, it is generally more prevalent in cold weather. Just at present there may be no epidemic of diphtheria in the town or city where you live, and you may feel that there is no need to have the children treated. But you can never be sure that diphtheria will not develop in your own neighborhood, per- haps in the very house where you are living, tomorrow, or next day, or next week. In the early stages of the disease, diphtheria is often mistaken for a mere case of sore throat. The child who has it may be playing about with other chil- dren and expose dozens of them to the disease even before his own parents realize that anything serious ails him. It is too much like locking the door after the horse is stolen to start thinking about protecting the children after the diphtheria germs have already found lodgment in their throats.
Many state and city health departments are carrying on active campaigns to stamp out diphtheria permanently by having every child immunized against it. In many places free clinics have been established where mothers can bring their children and have the toxin-antitoxin administered with- out charge. Hundreds of thousands of children have been given the toxin-antitoxin treatment at such clinics without harmful results. Hundreds of thousands have been protected through special clinics in the schools. Thousands are being treated by their own family physicians.
It is no longer a matter of theory that diphtheria can be prevented. It is a clearly proved fact! The toxin-antitoxin treatment has been used on such a large scale in widely sepa-
106
rated communities that the results are definitely established. In New York City we find a striking example of intensive diph- theria immunization work. Since 1920 more than 1,000,000 school children of pre-school age have been Schick-tested. More than one third have been immunized with toxin-anti- toxin. The death rate from diphtheria in 1923 was just about one-half of what it was in 1920. Although there has been an increase of nearly half a million in the city's population be- tween 1919 and 1924, the number of cases of diphtheria re- ported, dropped from 14,0000 to 9,000.
Children's lives are being saved. They are being saved by use of toxin-antitoxin. Children's lives are being risked, needlessly risked, by failure to use toxin-antitoxin. Here comes the man from the Board of Health to tack up his signs, "Danger! Diphtheria." He'll never tack one on your door if you have had the children treated with toxin-antitoxin. It will be "No Danger! No Diphtheria," and you won't need a sign to remind you.
The harmlessness of the toxin-antitoxin treatment is best demonstrated by the fact that more than 1,000,000 school children have been immunized in the last five years.
CHARLES SIMPSON, M. D.
107
REPORT OF AGENT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my report as your agent for the year ending December 31, 1926.
As in former years all complaints entered at this office have been investigated and where a nuisance was found it was abated to the satisfaction of the Board to whom all cases were referred and generally to all parties concerned, this is not always possible as sometimes fancied nuisances or neigh- borhood disagreements were found.
Houses have been placarded and quarantine watched, if all would be careful the spread of contagious diseases would be kept under control, but in most cases the people have been very faithful in doing what is best for all.
Conditions I think are in good sanitary state in general, some districts are always dirty yet as improvements are made to one house in that district it always has a good influence on the rest of the property.
The work with the board and the public has been pleasant and at this time I wish to thank both for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Agent.
108
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my annual report as Board of Health Nurse for the year 1926.
The most important health measure, sponsored by the Board of Health was the Examination Clinic, conducted by the State Department of Health. These clinics are to be held throughout the State over a period of ten years. Their object is to promote the health of the school children, and to prevent disease, by calling attention to any defect or infection that may be found so that the condition may be remedied before serious illness results.
A child in good physical condition tends to gain from month to month.
An underweight child is always more suspectible to dis- ease, and especially to the juvenile type of tuberculosis, called Hilum tuberculosis. So called because the glands affected are those at the base of the lung, known as the hilum group. This form of tuberculosis may later develop into pulmonary tuber- culosis, if the progress is not checked in early childhood.
Children ten per cent or more underweight and con- tact cases who were known to have been exposed to tubercu- losis in their homes were listed for examination.
Parents of the children who were underweight were visited and told of the advantage of such an examination as was offered, and consent of the parents obtained.
109
The clinics were held in the Town Hall, June 7th and 8th in charge of Dr. Henry D. Chadwick, of the Westfield Sanatorium. There were also other specialists, assisted by nurses of the State Department of Health, and nutritionists.
Number of children examined 248
Number of contacts 40
Number of children given tuberculin test 271
Number who reacted to the test 110
Number of children X-Rayed® 111
Number of cases of Hilum Tuberculosis 8
Number of cases classified as Suspects 36
Number of children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids 59
Number of children in need of dentistry 167
Number of cases of heart disease 7
Number of cases of malnutrition 67
Number of visits to underweight children 388
The follow-up work on these underweight children, con- sist of measuring them every six months, weighing them every month, visiting the homes three or four times during the year, and urging parents to have defects corrected. At the end of twelve months these reports will be sent to Dr. Henry D. Chadwick, chief of the State clinic. A re-examination will then follow for children who are still below normal.
In September the supervision of the Ste. Jeanne d'Arc parochial school was taken over. This is a large school, of nine rooms with an enrollment of four hundred and eighty -. two pupils.
A health program in this school is an entirely new pro -. ject, and the work will necessarily move along slowly until fully organized.
110
The mid-morning milk lunch was the first item of health introduced. An eight ounce bottle of pasteurized milk was .obtained for the small sum of three cents per bottle. It is most gratifying to note the number of bottles dispensed each day. This shows considerable co-operation on the part of parents and teachers to encourage the children to drink milk.
Number of bottles served during September, October, November, December-9807.
As in previous years milk has been served to the pupils of St. Mary's school.
Number of bottles served during the school year-7072.
The chief object of the dental clinic is to teach and stimulate the children to take care of their teeth and develop the habit of visiting the dentist every six months.
Right food and cleanliness go hand in hand to make strong teeth and healthy mouths.
The clinic was opened every Monday and Tuesday morn- ing from nine to eleven forty-five, from October 1st to June 1st.
Number of children who reported to the clinic the
first time 625
Number of children who had teeth cleaned 373
Number of extractions
Number of fillings 204
90
Number of treatments 10
Number of oral examinations
37
The routine work among the tubercular patients was car- ried on as usual. Visiting them in their homes, giving instruc- tions to prevent the family from acquiring the disease, urging them to follow treatment, and to have periodical examinations at the dispensary or other clinics. As a group these patients
111
do not respond readily and seldom come to the dispensary unless, some special or new symptom has developed.
The tuberculosis dispensary in the Town Hall was open- ed every Monday evening from five to seven P. M.
Number of patients examined at the dispensary 12
Number of visits to active tubercular cases 64
Number of visits to quiescent cases 50
Number of visits to suspicious cases 10
Number of visits to contacts 52
Reportable diseases are all quarantined or isolated, ac- cording to the mode of contagion or infection. In this res- pect the Board of Health depend largely on the co-operation of the individual to take great precaution to keep quarantine rules.
Number of visits to Diphtheria cases 15
Number of visits to Scarlet Fever cases 2
Number of visits to Infantile Paralysis case 1
Number of visits to Measles cases 1
Number of visits to Typhoid cases 6
The nurse assisted the school physician to examine the children. Defects noted and parents notified.
Number of pupils examined 527
Six children, three boys and three girls had the privilege of spending two weeks, at the Worcester Children's vacation camp, at Sterling. These children were maintained by the sale of Christmas seals.
Health talks were given and literature distributed in all class rooms.
Number of visits to Ste. Jeanne d'Arc School 55
Number of visits to St. Mary's School 33
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
112
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as your Plumbing Inspector- for the year ending December 31, 1926.
The following fixtures have been installed during the year
Water Closets 87
Sinks 67
Baths
65
Bowls 72.
Wash Trays 20
These were installed in 21 single houses; 9 two ten -. ements; 3 three tenements; 1 four tenement; 1 six tenement · 2 stores ; 2 office buildings; 1 barber shop and additional fix- tures in 5 old buildings.
I have made 44 water tests and final inspections on all of this work.
There have been 19 new houses and 2 old houses connect- ed with the sewer and 8 new houses and 6 old houses con- nected with cesspools during the year.
The by-laws are in need of revision and I hope that this. may be done during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector of Plumbing.
113
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I hereby render my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1926.
During the year I have issued 47 peddlers, 10 store li- censes to sell milk and 6 oleomargarine licenses. I have col- lected for these the sum of $31.50 which I have paid over to the Town Treasurer and hold receipt for same.
The method of former years has been that of the year just past, the State Department taken samples and prosecut- ing if necessary. I have answered all complaints entered at this office which have been few as the milk has been of the "ustomary good quality.
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Inspector of Milk.
114
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Honorable Board of Health :
- Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as your Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Whole number of carcasses inspected 426
Number of carcasses of beef 51
Number of carcasses of veal
133
Number of carcasses of swine
242
Number of carcasses condemned-beef
3
Number of carcasses condemned-swine
2
(Beef-tuberculosis) (Swine-tumors)
The carcasses condemned have been destroyed accord- ing to the laws of the Commonwealth.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN HALPIN,
Inspector of Slaughtering.
115
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE
The Cemetery Committee organized for the year of 1926 with George H. Hartwell, Jr., as Chairman and S. W. Wil- liams as Clerk.
In carrying on the Cemetery work for the year just end- ed we have had constantly in mind our obligation to those who have taken an interest in their lots by placing them under Perpetual Care. All badly sunken graves were graded. A great many stones straightened. These lots have been care- fully checked over three times during the year.
We have endeavored to keep the rest of the Cemetery in the best possible condition with the available funds. Con- stant attention has to be given the several dirt drives, filling in washouts and repairing the damage done by heavy auto- mobile traffic.
The greater part of July was spent in the Cole Lot, cut- ting out what brush had grown during the year and in doing other work needed. The drive entering this lot from the Cemetery had been neglected for a number of years, brush had accumulated on both sides until the drive was nearly obliterated. "[wo brooks run across the drive, formerly bridges had been constructed over them. These had been destroyed by decay. During the past year this brush has been cut out and new bridges constructed. At the present time the entrance is in the same condition as the lot itself. It is our intention and desire to maintain this condition.
116
We have mentioned in previous reports that due to lack of funds we have been forced to neglect the outskirts of the Cemetery. For the past two years considerable time has been. spent on these sections. In a few years we hope to have them restored to their former condition. It is our constant aim to have the whole Cemetery present a neat attractive appear- ance. In doing the work just mentioned a start has been made in the right direction.
A number of years ago it was voted to fill Pleasure Pond .. Because it being an artificial pond, the cost of keeping it fill- ed with water was too great. The pond is now filled. We. would advise the purchase of gravel and grade from the first. terrace on the east side to the wall on the west. This would make a depth of between four and five feet, the usual depth of a grave. When this work is completed it will be possible: to lay our a fine Perpetual Care section here.
A section located near the Grand Army Plot, in the west part was laid out in lots and opened for sale in Nineteen Sev- enteen. These lots were limited as an experiment to those de- siring Perpetual Care. This experiment has proven success- ful. This section is nearly all taken, it will be necessary to start the development of a new plot in the near future. In order to properly protect ourselves this should be started dur- ing the coming year. The development of a new section will. involve a large expenditure both for labor and materials.
It is with great pleasure we extend to Hon. Calvin D. Paige the sincere appreciation of the town for the reconstruc- tion of the Main Street Entrance, for the work done on the stone arch, and for the erection of the bronze tablet at this entrance. For many years we have known both entrances. were not in keeping with the rest of the Cemetery. Now, through Mr. Paige's generosity we have an entrance con- structed by him last year at Everett Street of which we will. always be proud.
117
This year the work accomplished at Main Street will be a lasting source of satisfaction, not only to the Committee but to all those who are in any way interested in the Cemetery. We wish to take this opportunity to assure Mr. Paige of our appreciation for his continued interest and generosity.
We are pleased to acknowledge with appreciation the fund created by Miss Hannah M. Edwards which assures Perpetual Care on the old part of the Cemetery. This sec- tion was originated long before Perpetual Care was ever known. The first residents of Southbridge lay here. Realiz- ing what they contributed toward the development of our town, we felt it an obligation to give their graves what atten- tion we could. Having a limited amount to spend it has been necessary occasionally to neglect this section. By the creation of this fund we will now be able to guarantee that this part of the Cemetery will receive the best of care throughout the year. We accept this responsibility with the assurance that we will fulfill our part of this contract to the best of our ability.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. HARTWELL, Jr. Chairman. WARDWELL M. EDWARDS, CLARENCE F. MORSE, DANIEL T. MORRILL, EMERY A. LAVALLEE, ALVA L. HYDE.
118
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 ASSISTANTS
Miss Bamford
Stella Lavallee
SUNDAYS Alpha Fontaine
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 9 p. m. Sundays Nov .- May 2, -5:30.
119
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Library :
USE
The circulation of 70,048 volumes during 1927 was a decrease of 593 from the circulation of 1926. During July and August a thousand less books were taken from the libra- ry than during the corresponding months of the year before. For the whole year there has been a decrease in the circula- tion of fiction and an increase in the circulation of non-fiction, especially in literature, travel and history.
. . GROWTH
Eight hundred and seventy-seven volumes were added, 204 of which were gifts. 473 new copies of wornout books were purchased. The library now contains 26,143 volumes. For the first time in many years, we have been able to buy some of the standard books in literature and history, which are in demand not only by the children in our schools, but also by young people doing "vacation reading" and adults taking "study courses." That the library may meet the de- mands upon it, we need to add great numbers of standard non-fiction books.
ACTIVITIES
The library is again trying "Sunday opening" of the read- ing-room, from two to five thirty. To date there has been a fair attendance, an average of about thirty per Sunday.
120
The library is also being kept open between five thirty and six thirty, during which time it has always been closed. This hour also seems to be fairly well used. The children's room is closed at eight, which insures an hour of quiet for grown readers from eight to nine.
383 volumes have been rebound.
GIFTS
In May, the library received its first income from the be- quest of $50,000, which was left to the library by the will of Mr. Robert Edwards. With this income, we were able not only to have the roof and gutters of the building repaired- a large item-, but also to paint the interior of the building.
The library of the late Rev. Harry L. Brickett was pre- sented to the Library through the kindness of Mr. Brickett's daughter, Mrs. H. B. Sterns. 170 very worthwhile volumes have been added by this means.
OBJECT
"The Public Library gives three principal kinds of ser- vice. It is a bureau of information furnishing up-to-date facts on all questions of human affairs; it is an educational agent supplementing school instruction; and it is a storehouse of cultural and recreational reading suited to all tastes and needs."
ELLA E. MIERSCH,
Librarian.
CIRCULATION BY
MONTHS FOR THE PAST TEN
YEARS
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
January
4404
4375
5170
4898
5854
5517
5260
5917
6942
6323
February
4159
4108
4899
4842
6238
5661
5136
5825
6416
6108
March
5151
4744
5457
5671
6681
6210
5678
6526
6679
7122
April
4135
4329
4971
4767
5745
5378
4472
5783
5822
6321
May
4144
3669
4362
4236
4759
4372
3980
4973
5184
5131
June
3930
3870
3686
4222
4820
4121
3999
4567
5603
5663
July
3874
3654
4163
4146
5222
4108
4106
4839
5027
4682
August
3748
3605
4276
3732
4997
3738
4128
5253
5043
4419
September
3249
3544
4130
3700
4177
3591
4067
4743
4962
4843
October
3640
1000
4552
4373
4909
4408
5149
5870
6184
6149
November
3984
4042
4564
5254
4888
4773
5342
5933
6590
6904
December
3966
4225
4529
5458
5204
4496
5324
5814
6189
6383
Total
48384
45165
54759
55299
63494
56373
56641
66043
70641
70048
ACCESSIONS AND CIRCULATION
Volumes added in 1926
Volumes now in Library
Volumes circulated in 1925
Volumes circulated in 1926
Per Cent. circulated in 1926
Fiction
168
4,291
34,584
33,769
48.21
Children, Fiction
124
1,899
18,504
18,099
25.83
Children, Non-Fiction
96
1,286
6,360
5,890
8.48
Philosophy
23
368
172
280
40
Religion
28
691
104
277
39
Sociology
43
928
593
539
.77
Language
4
172
209
165
.23
Science
18
716
403
265
1.37
Useful Arts
39
982
1,140
1,015
1.44
Fine Arts
56
709
1,024
1,139
1.62
Literature
75
2,267
1,279
1,916
2.73
Travel
53
1,723
1,270
1,510
2.15
History
25
1,893
660
886
1.26
Biography
41
2,046
885
1,009
1.44
Bound Periodicals
14
2,983
155
198
.28
Massachusetts Public Documents
2
226
3
1
U. S. Public Documents
2
373
Foreign Languages
65
850
2,202
1,839
2.62
Current Periodicals
1,086
1,220
1.74
Reference Books
19
779
8
31
04
Ammidown Collection
877
Museum
84
123
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FORM OF STATISTICS
Number of volues lent for home use 70,048.
Number of days open during the year 332
Hours open each week for reading 561/2
Hours open each week for lending 54
Number of volumes at beginning of year
25,280
Number of volumes added by purchase
673
Nummber of volumes added by gift
204
Number of volumes replaced (505 worn out)
473
Total number of volumes at end of year 26,143
Number of borrowers registered 4,751
Number of borrowers added 1926
769
GIFTS
The library gratefully acknowledged gifts of books from the following: Eddy Town Fund; Miss Cady; Mr. Felix Gati- neau; Clemence o .; Mrs. Mabel Edwards; Mrs. A. P. Hall; American Tree Association; Mrs. J. Malcolm Forbes; Japan Society, N. Y.
Also subscriptions to periodicals and newspapers from the following : Rev. L. R. Urban; Southbridge Press; Mrs. A. C. Wieshart, New England Telephone Co., Hamilton Woolen Co., American Optical Co.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts
Town Appropriation
$10000 00
124
Expenditures
Salaries :
Library Staff
$4208 37
Janitor
1304 16
Light
245 72
Coal
673 45
Books
1994 49
Periodicals
301 34
Binding
448 77
Equipment
152 86
Repairs
142 53
Supplies
231 85
Printing
118 75
Expenses
176 83
$9999 12
88
Mynott Fund
Amount of fund January 1, 1926
$100 17
Interest
45 50
$1047 67
Expenditures
Periodicals
$5.00
Books
39 05
$44 05
Amount of fund December 31, 1926
$1003 62
125
Edwards Bequest
Income :
May 7,
$2361 05
October 26,
1206 64
$3567 69
Expenditures
Southbridge Roofing Co.
663 39
Clemence Co.
112 66
M. Egan & Son
1132 05
$1908 10
At hand December 31, 1926 $1659 59
126
REPORT OF THE SEWER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge, Mass.
The Board of Sewer Commissioners herewith submit their report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1926.
Numerous manholes were raised or lowered to meet the present street grade.
The new filtering beds were completed under the direct supervision of the Barbour & Dixon Engineering Co. of Bos- ton.
With all expenses paid, we have a balance of $1128.58 from the $80000.00 appropriation.
A suitable building to care for our tools was also built at the filtering beds.
In accordance with the recommendation, at the last March meeting, the Commissioners have built a stretch of :Sewers on Park and Woodland Sts., a length of 881.6 feet, at a cost of $2250.00. In building this sewer we met with a very hard excavation, a large portion being in rock, and in considerable water. A sewer was also built on Goddard Ct. and Main St. a length of 493.9 feet, and at a cost of $2798.44. The Main St. sewer was built entirely in rock «excavation. Goddard Ct. was built in very hard excavation of an unusual depth.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.