USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1942-1946 > Part 3
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$1,000.00
$25.00
$1,000.00
BOYER FUND
31984 Southbridge Savings Bank
365.03 9.17
374.20
JESSE J. ANGELL FUND
47690 Southbridge Savings Bank $1,214.69 $30.54
$1,245.23
ELLA M. COLE FUND
45612 Attleboro Savings Bank
$1,000.00
$20.00
$1,000.00
94985 Cambridge Savings Bank
1,000.00 25.00
1,000.00
176397 Charlestown 5-Cent Savings
1,000.00
20.00
1,000.00
HANNAH M. EDWARDS CEMETERY FUND
The First National Bank of Boston, Trustee $5,000.00 $80.00 $5,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
NORBERT C. BENOIT
Town Treasurer
1
71
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge:
The Board of Public Welfare herewith submits its annual report for the year 1942. Due to the employment situation being at the highest peak during the year 1942, we are glad to mention that the case load has been the lowest in many years, making it possible to have a substantial balance left on the Temporary Aid account.
After a few years of great assistance to the town the Works Progress Administration ceased operation on December 31, on account of shortage of labor. We are thankful for the large amount of money saved by this Department through the W. P. A. and local projects during the past years when employ- ment was difficult to secure.
The statistics presented in the following table shows the monthly relief situation throughout the year.
Employable
Unemployable
Total
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
January
30
119
71
83
101
202
February
32
131
68
76
100
207
March
46
147
53
92
99
239
April
25
129
64
73
89
202
May
42
163
43
64
85
227
June
37
122
41
72
78
194
July
25
86
47
90
72
176
August
33
111
45
93
78
204
September
37
100
41
119
78
219
October
23
86
48
83
71
169
November
28
116
51
84
79
200
December
25
89
49
76
74
165
72
The Federal Surplus Commodity Distribution Center has been active throughout the year in providing food and clothing to needy families, and also kept up the School Lunch Program at a high level.
The State Child Welfare District Service serving the towns of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton is still under the able supervision of Mrs. Edith Cushing.
This Department assisted through the Aid to Dependent Children program 20 families representing 48 persons. This program as well as the Old Age Assistance is under the close supervision of the State Department and the Federal Govern- ment. A substantial amount of reimbursement is received year- ly from the State Department and the Federal Government. These reimbursements greatly reduce the net expenditure of this Department.
The Infirmary under the capable supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Beauregard cared for a total of 24 inmates during the year 1942. With the assistance of a few inmates Mr. Beaure- gard delivered 130 cords of wood to needy families. In addi- tion to his other duties, he transported all supplies for the local Surplus Commodity Distribution Center from the Wor- cester warehouse. This transportation saved a considerable sum to this Department.
Respectfully submitted, MARIE LARIVIERE, Chairman OVIDE DESROSIERS, Clerk HERMAS LIPPE, Other Member HERBERT H. MICHON, Supervisor
Board of Public Welfare
73
Report of Board of Health
To the citizens of Southbridge:
March fifth the Board of Health met and organized as follows: Dr. William E. Langevin, chairman; Dr. Armand O. DeGrenier, clerk, and Dr. Hervey L. Desmarais, the other member.
Twelve regular and four special meetings were held dur- ing the year. At the first regular meeting, it was voted to ad- vertise for bids for the collection of garbage, as the previous contract for a period of three years expired April 1st. One bid for $3,200.00 was received, which was an increase of $700.00 above the figure approved on our budget. Since no provision was made for this extra amount, a special Town meeting was called in June to legalize the transfer of said sum from our general fund. The contract was awarded to Peter Krasowsky for one year. The increase in salary was attributed to shortage of help and expansion of the collection area.
The services of our milk testing laboratory have been available to all dealers and producers throughout the year. More and more, they realize the value of milk testing, to screen out suspicious cases of mastitis, and other diseases dangerous to human beings, also its relation in maintaining a healthy herd. We now have four pasteurization plants in operation, and one ready to install equipment. We feel that milk testing reports have stimulated this important measure.
Each year brings its list of major and minor complaints and demands for action in instances of alleged health nuisances, that have no substantial relation to the public health. Never-
74
theless, all written notices have been honored by an inves- tigation, and recommendations sent to the party concerned. Many have co-operated and nuisances have been abated. At this time the Board wishes to inform the general public that the jurisdiction of local health authorities over nuisances ex- tends to those matters that actually endanger health.
An unusual number of communicable diseases have been reported during the past year. This was due to the continuation of a mild scarlet fever epidemic, which started late in 1941. However, it is gratifying to report no fatalities.
Our clinics, for the promotion of health and the preven- tion of disease, have functioned according to schedule. Ap- proximately eight hundred children attended these various clinics.
In closing the members of the Board of Health wish to express their appreciation to all persons, and organizations who have cooperated with the department in the promotion of community health.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. LANGEVIN, M. D., Chairman ARMAND O. DeGRENIER, D. M. D. HERVEY L. DESMARAIS, D. D. S.
75
REPORT OF THE AGENT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Health
Dear Sirs:
As agent of the Board of Health, I hereby submit the fol- lowing list of contagious diseases reported to this office dur- ing the past year.
Chicken Pox
7 Pulmonary Tuberculosis 7
Lobar Pneumonia
18 Miliary Tuberculosis 1
Measles
74 German Measles 35
Mumps
33 Undulant Fever
1
Scarlet Fever
108 Paratyphoid Fever 1
Dog Bite 21 Total 306
List of deaths in Town for which this office has issued permits for burial.
DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease
Arteriosclerotio Myo- cardial Degeneration
Auricular Fibrillation
Chronic Myocarditis
Coronary Heart Disease 20
Vegetative Endocarditis 1
Myocardial Disease 3
7 Mesenteric Thrombosis 1 Pulmonary Embolus 1
1 Ruptured aneurysm
1 Abdominal Aorta 1
7 Cardiovascular renal Disease 2
76
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Atypical Pneumonia
1
Lobar Pneumonia
4
Broncho Pneumonia 5 Pulmonary Tuberculosis 2
Hypostatic Pneumonia 4
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Cerebral Apoplexy
5
Cerebral Thrombosis
3
Cerebral Hemorrhage
13
Multiple Sclerosis
1
Encephalitis
1
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Adenocarcinoma of Pharynx
1
Carcinoma of pancreas
...
1 Carcinoma of Liver 1
Carcinoma of stomach 4
1 Gastric Ulcer
1
Perforated stomach
1 ulcer 1
3 Perforation of Gall
1 Bladder 1
1 General Peritonitis
1
Cancer of colon
5
DISEASES OF GENTIOURINARY SYSTEM
Adenocarcinoma of rt. Kidney
Carcinoma of servix of uterus
Carcinoma of Bladder
Carcinoma of uterus
Chronic Nephritis 3
1 Hypernephroma of left Kidney 1
1 Nephritis 1
1 Uremia 4
1 Uterine Hemorrhage 1
Acute gangrenous Appendix
Biliary Cirrhosis of Liver
Cancer of Intestines
Cancer of mouth
Cancer of tongue
77
ACCIDENTAL
Asphyxiation by ob- struction of larynx 1 Second Degree Burns
Fracture of Skull 3 on face, neck and
Fracture of neck
Probable exsanguination 1
1 thorax 1
ALL OTHERS
Asphyxiation by sus- pension (suicide)
Bullet wound in chest (suicide) 1
Prematurity
2
Total
145
Diabetes Mellitus
3
Multiple Absecesses of
2
Throat
1
Rheumatic Fever
1
Still born
7
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE, R. N.
Agent-Board of Health
78
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH NURSE
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Dear Sirs:
I hereby submit my report as Board of Health Nurse for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Tuberculosis Clinic
The services of our monthly tuberculosis consultation clinic has been available all year, for the accommodation of patients, not only in this community, but for a rural area cov- ering the following towns: Monson, Wales, Holland, Brim- field, Fiskdale, Sturbridge, Charlton, Oxford, Dudley and the Brookfields. The State Department of Health furnishes the professional personnel, which consists of two lung special- ists from Rutland State Sanatorium, and an x-ray technician from the Westfield State Sanatorium. Patients are admitted for a chest examination and x-ray, with a written request from their own physician, so he may receive a report of the find- ings and recommendations. The physicians appreciate the facilities of the clinic to assist them to confirm a doubtful diagnosis. Two hundred and two patients were examined, representing twenty-six physicians and fourteen towns.
Diphtheria Immunization Clinic
Toxoid clinics are held each year as part of our program for the prevention of diphtheria. Children from six months to six years are given a series of three inoculations, three weeks apart, and six months later the same group receives the schick test to ascertain the number immunized. Between 80% and 85% are negative, the remaining 15% are required to have another series of inoculations. One hundred and fifty-five re- ceived the treatment, thirty-four of this number were pre- school.
79
Dental Clinic
Beginning in October and continuing through May, the dental clinic is opened Monday and Tuesday from 9 to 11.45 A. M. The first grade pupils in the parochial and public schools, with the necessary permit, are admitted early in the year in order to start as many as possible with good teeth and regular dental habits. Six year molars and fissures are filled and abscessed temporary teeth extracted. The second, third and fourth grade pupils report on schedule time, while emergencies in the selected grades are always admitted. Al- though a small percent of the total school population receive treatment, we endeavor to teach each pupil who attends the clinic the real value of a wholesome mouth, in the maintenance of good health. Dental certificates were awarded to those who had all necessary work completed.
Number of children who reported to clinic 545
Number of extractions 56
Number of cleanings 409
Number of fillings 247
Number of children who received certificates 216
Pre-school Clinic
Since pre-school fitness is necessary for normal adulthood, we aim to have this group of children examined and defects corrected before entering school.
June third we registered one-hundred and sixty-seven children, recording height, weight and medical history. A week later two clinics were held by the school physician and Board of Health dentists, for a physical examination of each child. A hundred and forty children were examined, the de- fects listed as follows: Fifty-one had dental caries, fifty-one with abnormal tonsils, three had enlarged cervical glands, three with enlarged adenoids, two had eye squints, two with poor posture, one heart condition, and fifty had no defects, what-
80
soever. Thirty-nine received dental certificates, and sixty-nine parents signed to admit their children to the toxoid clinics.
Four girls spent eight weeks at the Sterling Health Camp, maintained by the sale of Christmas seals. During this vacation they had an abundance of right food, supervised play, with lessons in swimming and various hand-crafts, also careful medical and nursing attention. Each girl gained weight: one six pounds; one, six and a half pounds; one, nine and a half pounds, and one, thirteen and a half pounds. Funds from the same source of good posture was stressed by the physician, and leaflets sponsored by the Samuel Higby Camp Institute for better posture, were distributed to the grammar school pupils. Four hundred children had their hearing tested with a 4C audiometer, and the results recorded on a special chart, giving the grade of each ear. A brief history on this chart often assists the doctor to diagnose the defect. The 4C audiometer con- sists of a phonograph using special records of simple numbers and having telephonic apparatus such that the numbers on the records are picked up electrically and conveyed through tele- phone receivers. Examination of the test papers show a num- ber of children who fail to record numbers below a certain level. Some of these are actually hard of hearing, while others may fail for other reasons. It is therefore necessary to re-test about twenty percent of the children in each group to eliminate all except the hard of hearing.
Scarlet Fever cases continued to be reported from January to June. Two hundred home visits were made to instruct the families in the prevention and spread of the contagion. Very few developed complications, in fact the disease was so mild, it was difficult to enforce quarantine regulations.
At this time I wish to thank all organizations and indi- viduals who have co-operated and assisted in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGUERITE C. HOULE,
Nurse-Board of Health
81
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen:
This has been a very trying year for the dairy farmers and milk dealers. It seems as though all the new regulations and rationing orders now in force for every one were first tried out on their own industry until they were not sure from time to time whether they would be out of business or not.
The dairymen at first initiated the voluntary every-other- day deliveries which now have become a law and are therefore compulsory. Milk and cream prices are regulated and fixed as before by the State Milk Control Board, but with the addition- al sanction of the federal authorities. The latest federal orders issued to the dairy industry state that there shall be no cream, by whatever name called, containing more than 19% butter- fats, sold to consumers. Also, the definition of the word "Pro- ducer" has been changed to include all those who process or bottle milk and cream or their products. All these regulations, federal and state as well as local, must be enforced by your Inspector.
This year we have acquired an electric water-bath used in making keeping-quality tests, very important in these days of 48-hour deliveries. We can also make Mastitis, Phosphatase and other serological cultures that do not require dry incubation.
Tests on butter-fats and solids were carried on as a matter of routine, in order not to duplicate the work that state in- spectors are doing along these lines, but to make sure the deal- ers are selling milk and cream that comply with all legal standards.
More emphasis has been given analyses for keeping-quali- ties and bacterial counts, especially on the milk of cows sus- pected of having Mastitis. This can be, and is, a source of a
82
large percentage of the cost of milk to the consumer, as where precautionary measures are not taken, the whole herd of a farmer may become infected, thereby causing the loss of these animals and possibly creating a shortage of milk in this territory.
Tuberculin testing of cattle is pretty well covered by the state veterinarians, and the animals are slaughtered if they are found to be reactors. The Federal and State governments pay a subsidy to the farmer to partly reimburse him for the loss of his cattle due to T. B., but there is no subsidy for losses due to other diseases which would be pathogenic to human beings. Therefore, for these other diseases, the cows cannot be ordered slaughtered but they must be disposed of just the same. At present market prices for dairy cattle, which represent an in- crease of 100% since a year ago, it is obvious that any advice or help the dairy farmer receives in order to prevent, or at least arrest and control bovine diseases, can be appreciated by any consumer of milk, especially when these losses are reflect- ed in the retail price of dairy products.
A number of the more informed dairy farmers are improv- ing their herds by breeding up their stock and by blood-test- ing and inoculating their cattle against these diseases. This practice should be more widespread as it would tend to in- crease the production of milk from fewer but better animals. This also helps along our program of clean, safe milk, and eventually, the dairy farmer will have acquired an accredited herd, free from disease, and with care and without relaxing his precautionary measures he can safely raise his own livestock instead of paying high market prices for replacement animals.
It has been estimated that, for every $6 of milk income, Mastitis costs the American producer $1 in decreased produc- tion, lowered quality and cows lost. Tests made in our labora- tory reveal that at least 20% of the dairy cows in this milk shed have this disease in some degree. This problem is one, there- fore, which affects directly mostly every member of our popu- lation.
83
Mastitis is a preventable disease. Few herds are free from it, but if it is present in a herd, it can be controlled with the help and co-operation of your Inspector, the veterinarian, county agent, state agricultural college and other government bureaus. These people, with the farmer's own observations, can teach the farmer a great deal about Mastitis: e. i., its costs, hazards, nature, cause, prevention, and cure.
Especially hazardous is the careless human infection of the bovine udder with organisms which are pathogenic. This justifies the increasing vigilance of public health officials everywhere in this regard. It will always be true that safe- guarding the actual production of the milk is preferable to any dependence on pasteurization or other processes for safety. Sections 16, 17 and 18 of our Food Regulations are very neces- sary and should be enforced at all times, especially now that this area has been declared to be essential in the production of critical war materials.
During the year, we have conducted the following tests and analyses on samples taken at the milk plants, dairy farms and from the vehicles of the dealers:
Butter-Fats Tests (Composite Samples) 317
Individual cows tested for Butter-Fats 106
Solids Tests 245
Acidity Tests
78
Phosphatase Tests, (Pasteurization)
26
Keeping-Qualities Tests
436
Mastitis Analysis (Compostic Samples) 142
316
Individual Cows tested for Mastitis
Microscopic Bacteria Counts & Examinations 680
Number of Cows disposed of for Mastitis
23
Number of Cows disposed of for Bang's Dis.
3
Number of Samples collected
729
1 Sample of Goat's milk was also tested.
Total Tests 1,350. Total Analyses 996.
Dairy Farms and Milk Plants visited 89
84
According to a questionaire we filled out at the request of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, we estimated the follow- ing amount of milk or cream sold in Southbridge, as of March 23, 1942:
Milk
Cream
9,915 quarts daily 190 "
Approximately 65% of this milk and cream is pasteurized, compared to the state average of 87%.
The following milk or milk product licenses were grant- ed during the year, divided as follows:
Pasteurizing Plants 4
Ice Cream Manufacturers 2
Stores, Hotels, Restaurants
61
Dealers, (Vehicles) 37
Oleomargarine 9
Several producers have sold out their routes and sell their entire milk production to other dealers. Also, quite a number of dairy farmers have sold their livestock and have gone out of production. The scarcity of farm labor and the added dif- ficulties accruing in the shape of restrictions, gasoline and tire allotments, daily workers accepting more lucrative jobs in war plants or enlisting in the armed forces, are the principal- reasons or causes for this situation. The demand for milk and its products remain about the same in spite of the absence of all the younger men who have already left their homes to join the armed forces of our country. In fact, mostly all deal- ers could sell more milk very easily if it were available.
We wish to thank all those who have co-operated with us in our efforts to provide clean, safe milk and cream for our citizens, and enabled us to perform our duties which are not always easy or pleasant.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. CHAGNON,
Milk Inspector
85
REPORT OF FOOD INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen:
The building and alteration of food establishments start- ed last year has continued to a limited extent this year to the pleasure and convenience of their patrons. There would doubt- less be more renovations if the scarcity of materials did not prevent such improvements.
Several times in the past we have been urged by the Dis- trict, State and Federal Public Health officials to adopt and enforce a concise and inclusive set of regulations governing food handling, processing and storing of foods and the care of all utensils and equipment used in these places.
We have accomplished this by inserting some of our present food, health and milk regulations, those are directly related to the public health aspect of the food handlers, cus- tomers, and the general public patronizing these places, and a few new ones were added, all this without casting any reflec- tions on the present management of these establishments.
For instance, the common drinking glass or cup, and towels (cloth) are excluded, as well as the dish-drying cloths, in both industrial and commercial eating and drinking places. The medical authorities everywhere are unanimous in agree- ing that these articles are the greatest spreaders of communi- cable diseases.
Sterilizing dishes and utensils should not prove as difficult as it sounds for, in this instance, it only means the additional use of boiling water or a chlorine rinse after these pieces are washed, thereby eliminating the use of dish-drying cloths.
These new regulations and the methods of testing the various utensils for bacterial growths are adapted from those of other cities and towns who have had a number of years of experience along these lines. They are not so severe or imprac-
86
tical as to be impossible of enforcement, and the methods of procedures for examinations of the utensils are not too com- plicated or time-consuming.
Aside from the fact that this area has been declared to be essential for the production of critical war material in this emergency, these precautionary rules should be a part of the governing laws of any well-ordered community of the size of Southbridge.
During the year, I have visited the following places of business :
Groceries and Markets
83 Inspections
Restaurants and Lunch Rooms
49
Soda Fountains
9
66
Hotels and Cafes
38 66
Dairies and Milk Plants
62
Ice Cream Plants
5
Bakeries
13
Soft Drink Bottling Works
2
66
Total number of inspections
261.
Minor changes were made where we recommended them, and practices considered detrimental or hazardous to public health were abandoned, but the surveys showed a lack of uni- . form rules compiled under one heading as we now have in effect.
We sincerely hope to receive soon the remainder of the necessary laboratory equipment about which we have filled out so many different priority applications as they are sorely need- ed for both food and milk inspections and examinations.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. CHAGNON
Food Inspector
87
1
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health,
Southbridge, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Number of carcasses of beef .. . .. . .... 76
14
Number of carcasses of veal
Number of carcasses of hog 137
Number of carcasses of sheep
17
244
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY S. AUCOIN Inspector of Slaughtering
88
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
Sanitary plumbing construction for this year has been less than for the last two or three years for various reasons, princi- pally because skilled laborers are working in war plants, army or navy camps, or serving in the armed forces, and also because of the scarcity of materials available for civilian use, except that allowed for the repair and upkeep of properties.
Rumors have been circulating lately that there is to be some emergency defense housing work projects here next year, but nothing definite has been confirmed up to the present time.
The majority of this year's work has been in repairs and renewals of old and worn out fixtures and appliances when these were available. The present scarcity of skilled labor and materials is all that prevents the continuation of new con- structions.
During the year, the following fixtures ad appliances were installed and work accomplished:
New
Old
Water Closets
164
12
Lavatories
120
6
Bath Tubs
57
7
Kitchen & Industrial Sinks
108
28
Laundry Trays
7
0
Sink & Tray Combinations
20
0
Gas Water Heaters
21
0
Oil Water Heaters
8
0
Coal Water Heaters
4
0
Indirect Water Heaters
1
0
89
Tankless Water Heaters
8
0
Stove & Furnace Coils
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