Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870, Part 80

Author: Worcester (Mass.)
Publication date: 1867
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 1452


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 80


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).


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1


1


Blackstone,


6


866


2


3


3


2


Benefit,


4


320


Beach,


385.6


1


1


2


Columbia,


6


345.6


1


Charlotte,


6


407


1


1


1


Clifton,


6


502


1


1


1


1


1


Chandler Street Alley,


3


330.6


Cross,


4


380


1


1


2


1


Elizabeth,


6


335


1


1


1


1


East,


6


657


2


2


1


1


2


Eaton Place,


2


318


Ellsworth,


4


807


1


1


1


1


Edward,


4


496


2


1


1


1


Foundry,


4


402


1


1


1


Freeland,


4


542.6


1


1


1


1


Grant,


3


19


Grand,


8


1431


2


1


1


1


High,


6


260.6


2


1


Henry,


4


450


Harrison Avenue,


4


358


Harrison,


4


20


1


Hudson,


4


711


2


2


1


1


Hollywood,


4


1669


4


1


3


5


Irving,


2


255.6


2


King,


6


392.6


1


1


Lovel Court,


2


313.6


1


1


Larkin,


4


280


2


1


Catherine,


2


109.6


1


1


Charles,


2


Chandler,


4


388.6


Farwell,


6


300.6


Foyle,


5


19


1


2


1


1


1


1


1


1


1


6


514


1


1


Inches Feet. Inch's.


39


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER.


STREETS.


Size of Pipe.


Amount Laid.


Street Branches.


Hy. Branches.


Hydrants.


Gates.


Plugs.


Lunelle,


4


391


1


1


2


1


Lodi,


4


444


1


1


Mason,


6


258


2


1


1


Milk,


2


102


1


1


Maywood,


4


801


1


1


1


1


May,


4


276.6


1


1


1


Newwort,


4


409


1


1


2


Oberlin,


4


306


1


1


1


1


Pine,


6


857


4


2


2


1


2


Penn Avenue,


6


978.6


2


1


1


1


1


Piedmont,


6


1242


1


1


3


Prescott,


4


598


2


1


1


1


Seaver,


6


620


1


1


2


1


Shrewsbury,


8


96


1


Salem,


4


492


1


Taylor,


3


16


Vine,


6


32


1


1


1


1


Vernon,


8


1894


8


5


2


2


1


66


4


1532.6


4


3


1


2


6


Winthrop,


2


18


Ward,


4


1355


4


4


4


2


5


Walker,


4


542


1


1


Whole amount,


2


1469


8


6


66


3


384.6


4


.6


66


4


14463.6


18


19


14


31


28


66


66


6


9038


21


14


12


19


18


66


66


8


3801


15


8


3


4


7


Total,


19156


64


41


29


66


59


Main St., old pipe re-laid,


16


1322


5


3


1


4


Belmont,


66


66


8


407


1


High,


66


6


60


1


1


1


1786


7


4


2


4


29156


64


41


29


66


59


Total,


30943


71


45


31


66


63


6


318


1


8


117


2


1


1


Prescott Street Alley,


2


224.6


1


1


Woodland,


6


100


1


Pleasant, 66


Inches Feet. Inch's.


TABLE OF REPAIRS.


DATE.


LOCATION.


KIND OF PIPE.


CHARACTER OF LE AK.


Jan. 6,


Chestnut Street,


Gate,


Packing Box. Union Joint.


8,


Shrewsbury "


Service,


10.


Main at Charlton,


Cement,


Solder Branch.


66


66


18, Harrison Street,


Joint.


19


Winter


21, Mason 66


Hydrant,


Bowl Joint.


24, Front


Cement,


Joint.


Feb. 5, Canal


Service,


Frozen.


10


Water


66


Cement,


Joint.


14, Pleasant St. Place,


Service,


Union Joint.


18 Elm Street,


Iron,


Imperfect Casting,


Mar. 21,


Portland


Service,


Solder Joint.


Apr. 2, 66


20,


Trumbull


Service,


Broken Stop.


29,


Main 66


Cement, 66


Joint.


May 14,


Webster 66


Rust.


17


Grove


Hydrant, Service, 66


Valve.


66


18,


Portland


..


21,


Newbury ٠،


24.


Chandler, 66


66


66


66


June 11, 66


20, B. & A. R. R. Eng. House,


Cement, 66


Rust.


Burnside Court,


Broken by Sewer


Service,


Stop.


Front Street,


Cement,


Joint.


Valve.


27, Webster


Rust.


Fulton 66


Cement,


Sewer Accident.


9, Mulberry


18, Harrison 66


66


23, Cedar


66


27, Mechanic


66 Washington "


Aug. 3, Main street blow off,


4, Hawthorne at Main,


66


16, Leicester Street, 66


66


17, Front


66


18, Salem


٠٠


24, |Shrewsbury "


Service, Cement, 66


Imperfect Pipe. Broken by Sewer.


Sewer Accident.


Joint.


Solder Branch.


Rust.


Joint.


Service, Cement,


Solder Joint. Joint.


66


25. Spring


Southbridge "


Solder Joint.


22, 66 Webster Square,


23, 24, Lamartine Street,


Hydrant, Cement,


July 4, 5. Soutbridge


Solder Joint. Joint.


Service, Cement,


Sewer Accident. 66 66


Water


Cement,


Joint.


Cement,


Joint.


23. Woodland Street,


Hydrant, Cement,


Valve.


41


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.


DATE.


LOCATION.


KIND OF PIPE.


CHARACTER OF LEAK.


Aug. 31,


Washington Street,


Sept. 5,


Woodland


66


6,


Front 66


Plymouth


..


66


George


Service, Cement,


Broken by Sewer. Sewer Accident. Joint.


66


13,


Water


.6


19,


Main


66


66


66


Rust.


Oct. 3, 6,


Dix 66


Service,


Broken by Sewer. Solder Joint.


66


7, School Street,


Cement,


Rust.


..


14,


Oak


66


Hydrant, Iron,


Bowl Joint.


..


19, 20,


Spruce ..


Cement,


Joint.


66


29,


Southbridge Street,


Service,


Solder Joint.


..


66


Hermon


66


Hydrant,


Bowl Joint.


Nov. 2,


Spring


66


66


Main at Kilby "


Solder Branch.


66


8,


Burt Street,


.6


14,


Water


Iron,


Sleeve Joint.


66


15,


Austin Street,


66


Joint.


66


16,


Sudbury


66


Sewer Accident. 66 66


66


18,


William 66


Service,


Broken by Sewer.


6.


21,


Front 66


Solder Joint.


Dec. 7, Pleasant 66


Bowl Joint.


66


13, Wachusett Street,


Hydrant, Service, 66


Broken by Sewer. 66


15, Vine


26, Oak cor. Cedar Street,


Hydrant,


Valve. Bowl Joint,


..


27, Summer Street,


Service, Cement, 6.


Broken by Sewer. Joint.


21,


Burt


Bartlett Place,


27,


School Street,


Bigelow Court,


|Park


Accident.


66


21,


Pleasant


Hydrant,


Bowl Joint.


Broken by Sewer.


Service, Cement,


Joint.


Adriatic Mills,


Cement,


Solder Branch.


66


19,


Vine 66


22,


6


42


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.


STOCK AND TOOLS ON HAND, JAN. 1, 1871.


51¿ feet 16 in Iron pipe ; 111} feet 12 in do. ; 46 feet 10 in. do. : 1573 ft, 8 in. do .; 284} feet 6 in. do, ; 1069 feet 6in. do. (old) ; 141} ft. 4 in. do. (old) 1713 ft, 4 in. do .; 184 ft. 20 in. do. c.l. pipe; 297 feet 16 in. cem. lined pipe (old) : 85 feet 12 inch cement lined pipe, (old) ; 294 feet 10 inch cement lined pipe, (old) ; 245 feet 8 inch ce- ment lined pipe : 858 feet 6 inch cement lined pipe (old) ; 2375 feet 4 inch cement lined pipe ; 245 feet 3 inch cement lined pipe (old) ; 700 feet 2 inch cement lined pipe ; 1911 feet 6 inch unlined pipe ; 1001 feet 3 inch unlined pipe : 1001 feet 2 inch unlined pipe ; 5822 pounds cast iron sleeves for cement pipe ; 3178 ft. 1 in. cement lined pipe : 562 feet & inch cement lined pipe, old : 685 feet cement lined pipe, old; 1542 ft. ¿ in. cement lined pipe, old; 71 feet 2 inch galvanized iron pipe, old; 125 feet 1 inch galvanized iron pipe, old ; 150 feet & inch galvanized iron pipe, old ; 760 pounds 2 inch lead pipe : 1038 pounds 1 inch pipe ; 912 pounds § inch lead pipe ; 370 pounds 1 inch lead pipe connections ; 73 pounds & inch lead pipe connections ; 435 pounds 3 inch lead connections, old ; 148 feet g in. gas pipe : 61 feet 3-16 inch copper pipe : 15 feet 8 inch cast iron sleeves : 9 6-inch cast iron sleeves: 17 4-inch cast iron sleeves ; 6 8-inch cast iron bonnets : 2 6-inch cast iron bonnets ; three 4 to 2 cast iron tapers ; one 16 to 12 cast iron taper ; one 12 to 18 cast iron taper ; one 12 to 6 cast iron tapers ; six 8 to 6 cast iron taper ; one 8 to 4 cast iron taper : eighteen 6 to 4 cast iron tapers ; six 5 to 4 cast iron tapers ; two 4 to 2 cast iron tapers ; four 16 inch cast iron quarter turns ; four 12 inch quarter turns ; four 6 inch cast iron quar- ter turns ; eighteen 4 in. cast iron quarter turns ; two 3 inch cast iron quarter turns : one 2 inch brass quarter turn ; two 4 inch cast iron angles : one 16x12 inch cast iron 4 way branch ; one 12x12 cast iron (lo ; two 12 × 8 do. : one 8x8 do. : eight 10x6 cast iron branches ; thirteen 10x4 cast iron do. : two 8x8 cast iron do. ; four 8x4 cast ir- on do .: eleven 6×6 inch cast iron do .; twenty-five 6x4 inch do .; one 3×3 inch cast iron do. ; one 2×2 inch cast iron do. ; two 5x4 inchi cast iron do. : three 4x4 inch cast iron do. ; one 16 inch Ayer's gate. old : 2 10-inch B. pattern gates : 2 8-inch B. pattern gates ; 10 -6in. B. pattern gates : 12 4-inch B. pattern gates ; 1 3-inch Ludlow gate ; 21 2-inch Ludlow gates, brass; 14 1-inch Ludlow gates, brass ; 34 2-inch Ludlow gates. brass ; 21 2-inch brass nipples, short ; 15 2-inch


43


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.


brass nipples, long ; 6 meter boxes : 2 gate boxes, 19 cast iron stop boxes ; 6 gate box frames large size, 13 gate box frames covers large size ; 3 of same small size ; 5 gate box frames covers small size, 11 stop box frames and covers, 11 flush hydrants, 2 flush hydrant box- es, 3 flush hydrant box frames, 9 covers for same, 175 pounds flush hydrant bolts and yokes, 4 pounds washers, 15 post hydrant boxes, 2 post hydrant boxes, old, 2 hydrant elbows, 2 hydrant elbows with gates, 75 pounds cast iron fastenings for hydrant boxes, 181 pounds post hydrant box hoops, 2 20-inch tapping bands, 27 16-inch do., 36 12-inch do., 44 10-inch do , 33 8-inch do., 83 6-inch do., 68 4-inch do, 50 3-inch do. ; 14 2-inch do. ; 777 pounds cast iron back bands, 1297 pounds bolts and nuts, 162 3-inch stops for bands ; 17 2-inch drain stops, 40 2-inch do .; 32 ¿- inch do. B pattern ; 231 }-inch thimble couplings ; 20 1-inch thimbling do., 43 2-inch rubber packings for tapping bands, 131 1-inch do., 225 g-inch do. : 23 14-inch brass el- bows, 241 14-inch brass tees, 370 1-inch do., 16 2-inch solder nipples, 53 2-inch combination solder nipples, 107 1-inch do., 10 2-inch galvan- ized iron elbows, 16 2-inch plugs, 188 14-inch do., 185 1-inch do., 333 2-inch do., 55 pounds wrought iron bands and bolts for plugging street branches, 15 pounds solder, 140 pounds brass stops and fittings, 940 pounds brass in Worthington meter bodies (old), 160 pounds brass hydrant nozzels, 705 pounds bands for repairing solder braches, 75 lbs. hemp packing, 35 pounds hemp winding twine, 42 barrels Roman ce- ment, 6 barrels charcoal, 188 pounds lead, 152 pounds old brass, 2500 feet chestnut plank, lot old lumber, 100 spruce pickets reservoir fence, 7 pairs rubber mitts, 2 small tool boxes, 2 large do., 2 canal barrows, 60 picks, 35 shovels, 10 iron bars, 4 iron tampers, Lot tool for building hydrants, 2 stone hammers, 16 water pails, 1 set pulley block and ropes, 150 lbs. steel in drills, 8 striking hammers, 10 hand do., 2 nail do., 1 masons do., 1 paving do., 10 hand drills, 6 iron spoons, 20 cold chisels, 3 ladles, 20 lead sets, 3 furnaces, 6 packing irons, 1 drill stock and clamps for drilling iron pipe, 5 goose necks, 3 mixing boxes, 2 hand sleds, 9 stop wrenches, 10 gate wrenches, 7 hydrant wrenches, 4 wrenches for repairing hydrants, 9 maleable iron adjustable wrenches, 1 pair tongs for repairing hydrants, 1 boiler for thawing hydrants, 1 truck, 2 coal hods, 50 feet ?in. rubber hose, 20 feet ¿ in. rubber hose, 1 copper pump, 1 brass pump, 4 oil cans, 5 oilers,2 powder cans, 10 mason's trowels,30 lanterns,33 lantern globes, 2 tunnels, 2 teakettles ,1-30 gal. kettle, 1 fan blower, 1 platform scales, 5 pack drill stocks and drills, 1 bench and press for lining service pipe 3 large pipe cutters, 2 small pipe cutters, 1} in. tap, 12 in. tap, 4 sets ¿ in. cones, 5 sets 1 in. cones. 1 set 13 in. cones, 1 hand vise, 2 iron


44


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONER.


vises, 1 pipe vise, 1 wooden vise, 1 portable forge, 5 files, 2 pairs shears, 3 soldering furnaces, 5 soldering iron, 1 branching iron, 2 bit stocks, 12 bits, 6 hand saws, 1 saw set, 1 large try square, 1 small do., 2 planes, 1 drawing knife, 4 chisels, 2 gauge, 7 bench axes, 2 hand axes, 1 carpenters hatchet, 2 steel wedges, 3 chains, 1 grind- stone and frame, 1 oil stone, 2 carpenters horses, 1 glue pot and lamp, 1 steam gauge, 2 cast iron sinks, 1 small stove, 2 large stoves, 1 base burner stove. 1 force pump, patterns for gate frames, covers, bands and branches, 1 wagon, 1 sleigh, 1 harness, 1 woolen and 1 rubber blanket. 2 screw drivers, 5 dies for cutting packing, 2 galv. iron boilers, 2 copper boilers, 1 tank for testing meters, 1 paving rammer, 3 steel points, 15 jack screws, 1 chain pump, 580 lbs. rosin, 190 lbs. nails, 300 lbs. old iron, 1 hoe, 1 spirit level, 2 desks, 1 work bench and vise, 4 chains, 3 No. 2 die plates and 10 dies for same, 1 No. 1 die plate and 2 dies for same, 1 pair 1} in. tongs, 4 pairs 14 in. tongs, 5 pairs 1 in. tongs, 2 pairs ? in. tongs, 2 pairs ¿ in. tongs, 2 pairs 3 in. tongs, 2 pairs { in. tongs.


-1


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CITY PHYSICIAN


OF THE


CITY OF WORCESTER,


FOR 1870.


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


WORCESTER, DEC. 27, 1870. To the City Council:


GENTLEMEN : The City Physician would respectfully present the following as his Annual Report :


During the past year Small Pox has raged to an unusual extent. The disease has now entirely disappeared; the last case occurring on Lamartine street about the first of November.


Since its first appearance, in November 1869, there have been reported at the Police Office 191 cases, which have been recorded. Many other cases were concealed-judging from all sources of information the number can be justly estimated as 100-making a total of 291 cases in a period of less than one year. The number of deaths has been 19. Perhaps at no previous time has this much dreaded and loathsome disease prevailed to such an extent or with such fatal results as during the past year, though the per centage of deaths to the whole number of cases is remarkably small, being only 6.5 per cent.


In accordance with your instructions, June roth I assumed the entire supervision of the disease throughout the city. At this time there were 25 cases in various parts of the city, each forming a center of contagion. In nearly every instance I visited personally each case reported, or even a rumor of a case, and saw that all measures were adopted and rigidly enforced to prevent its increase; vaccinated and re-vac- cinated where necessary, not only the inmates of the house, but those living for some distance around. These visits were continued frequently, and the utmost vigilance exercised until every vestige of the disease had disappeared Thorough cleansing and fumigation of the house was required in every instance. For want of any other medical attendance many of these cases came under my charge. At first I tried the experi- ment of treating the patients at their homes. This I found


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


in many instances to be attended with so much inconvenience and annoyance, and often the patients were most inhumanly neglected by the other inmates of the house, that for the last few months I have urged, and in some instances compelled the patients to be moved to the small pox hospital. Such a course, I am fully convinced, did much to arrest the spreading of the disease, and not only added greatly to the comfort of the patients, but in three instances saved their lives.


The whole number sent to the hospital was nine. The only · death among the patients under my care was the first one on Central street.


The following conclusions in regard to this disease I would respectfully submit, as the result of the past year's experience :


Though the per centage of deaths has been small, still I cannot but feel that the number is large when we consider that we have such efficient preventive means at our command. It is wrong to have a single death from Small Pox in our city. The prevalence of this disease to such an extent as during the past year is a great public calamity, and measures to arrest its progress cannot be too prompt and energetic. I am fully convinced that all attempts to conceal the cases as they occur is the worst policy. As soon as a case appears give it the widest publicity. and call upon the people to protect them- · selves by thorough vaccination. My convictions of the import- ance, in many instances, of re-vaccination are stronger than ever.


Every case where it is possible, and advisable, should, I believe, be immediately removed to the Small Pox Hospital. Such a course, should the disease again appear among us, will eradicate it at once.


I am well aware that the laws of the Commonwealth in regard to Small Pox do not allow us to adopt the means above recommended ; consequently, I cannot but feel that the laws should be changed. It is generally supposed that the Board of Health has the power to enforce vaccination. This is true after a certain age. Instead of fixing the age at two years, there should be no limit. The Board of Health should have the power to enforce vaccination at any age,


1


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


if public necessity requires it, and instead of making it a fine of $5.00 for cach year's neglect, make it for cvery neglect.


It is to my mind of the utmost importance in many cases to move 'the patients to the Small Pox Hospital. Therefore, the Board of Health should have the power to do it. I can- not believe that a board of intelligent men who have the public good at heart, would use this power harshly or un- wisely.


With the exception of Small Pox the City has been re- markably exempt from any serious epidemic. It was thought that the excessively hot and dry weather, the duration of which was almost without a parallel, would be a prolific cause of severe diseases, but in this we have been happily disappointed.


The calls for the services of the City Physician, however, have been numerous, much more so than in any previous rear; and with our rapidly increasing population, the duties of this department are correspondingly augmented.


The number of deaths among the patients under my care has been ten (10), and are recorded as follows :


Jan. 5, 1870, Edward H. Cook,


Aged 17 yrs. Consumption.


.+ 21,


Benj. T. Allen,


4. 40 “ Delirium Tremens.


Feb. 26, 6. Jonathan W. Smith, 66 . Consumption.


April


Herbert Willard, (Col.),


13 mos. Inflam. of Bowels.


April 10,


Stephen Waters. . . 23 yrs. Jaundice.


Aug. 25, .. John Cumisky,


30 Cholera Morbus.


58 Consumption.


14, Lucia May,


6 83 Typhoid Fever.


6. 16, Chas. II. Hill,


30 Consumption,


April 23, 6. Thos. Logan.


72 66 Bright's Disease.


Oct. 9, .. Bridget Whitty,


When we consider that a large per centage of the cases treated have been of that class of diseases, the cause of which is from exposure, or in other words, the patients have not had proper shelter, or sufficient clothing and fuel, I cannot but feel that to furnish liberally clothing and fuel to the poor of the city, and to see that they have better houses, will be the most efficient means to diminish the amount of disease.


It is in the winter and spring that the duties of this office are the greatest. Those diseases which are peculiar to the


6


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


hottest season of the year, or are the result of filth, or im- proper food, form but a small protion of the cases I am called upon to treat. I am therefore strongly impressed with the importance of providing generously clothing and fuel to the city poor, and of an improvement in some of the ten- ement houses, as a sanitary measure.


During the first four months of the year there was an unusual amount of sickness at the Alm's-house and City Hospital, occurring, mostly, among those who had become broken down by exposure and long continued dissipation, and who were sent to this institution in the last stages of incurable disease.


For the remainder of the year the inmates have been al- most entirely free from any severe sickness. Nor have I been called upon, in a single instance, to prescribe for the boys in the Truant School. Facts which speak for themselves of the excellent care and management of the Superintendent and Matron.


Feeling the need, during my first year's service as City Physician, of a place more readily accessible than the hos- pital connected with the Alms-house, where the many severe cases of accident and disease could be treated, which came under my care, I have kept, this year, an accurate record of the number of cases, which, in my opinion, were suitable for a hospital, that I might, in my annual report, submit a defi- nite statement of the present necessities for a City Hospital.


The number amounts to 40. I regret that it did not occur to me at the beginning of the year, to ask all of the medical profession to keep such a record ; consequently, I am unable to arrive, only approximately, at the whole number of hos- pital cases, which occurred in the city during the past year. But in answer to the inquiries which I have made of many of the physicians, as to the number of such cases as have come under their observations during the past twelve months, I think we can safely estimate that the number attended by other physicians will amount to 175 cases. Adding the 40 cases under my care, it makes a total of 215 cases ; which would. give a weekly average of a fraction over four patients, Allow-


1


7


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


ing that the average duration of each case would be three weeks-we should have constantly in the hospital from twelve to fifteen patients.


Such, gentlemen, is the record of the past year, and shows the present necessities for a hospital.


When we consider the character of these cases, and the adverse circumstances under which many of them are obliged to be treated, I think the sentiment will be unanimous, that some provisions should be immediately made for a place easily accessible, where these unfortunate ones can be taken and properly cared for. Humanity and the good name of the city require it.


Scarcely a week passes but I am called upon to attend some severe case of accident or sickness at the police station. Many of these are strangers, and having no homes, are brought to this office for want of any other place. These we are obliged to provide for without any facilities, except for temporary treat- ment. Some of these have been, kept five days before they could be removed, and others have died there.


Similar cases are constantly occurring outside of the police office, which require the services of the City Physician. These, in many instances, are in miserable tenements, with no provisions for food, nursing or warmth.


Such cases must be taken care of where they are found, or sent to the hospital at the City Farm, or to the State Alms- house at Monson. Of late a few have been received into the Sisters of Charity Hospital of this city ; and one or two have been sent to the Massachusetts General Hospital. The laws expressly state that all State Paupers who are too sick to be moved to Monson must be provided for by the city. Now, the danger and discomfort to the patients are scarcely any greater in moving them to Monson in the cars than to our Alms-house, which is over three miles distant. So that, in fact, a large per centage of the severe cases have to be pro- vided for by the city where they are first seen. Besides this class of patients which come under my care as City Physician there is still a larger class which come under the care of every physician.


-


8


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


Our city is one great work-shop in which are employed many young men and women, many of whom have no homes and are living in crowded boarding houses. If they are taken sick or become injured, it is almost impossible for them to ob- tain that care which they require ; consequently many die who might have been saved could they have been sent to a good hospital.


To my mind the above facts are sufficient to convince every one that the time has arrived when there should be a City Hospital.


I would respectfully submit the following plan for your favorable consideration. It is not necessary to commence a hospital on a large scale. A building large enough to accommodate twenty-five patients will be all that is needed.


Let the city lease a house centrally located for a few years. Put a suitable man and wife in charge. Let it be furnished, not expensively, but comfortably and conveniently. The ex- penses of such an institution would be for rent, for furnishing, for fuel and lights, for a man and wife in charge, for medicines, and perhaps for one or two nurses, which would depend upon the number of patients. Probably the best of medical attendance would be obtained gratis.


The income of such an institution, and which would dimin- ish the expenses to the city, would be, first-from State Paupers. The entire cost of providing for those State paupers who are too sick to be moved to Monson, is, in many cases, reimbursed to the city, by the State, and in all of these cases a part of the cost.


Second, from those having a settlement in other towns of the State, and assisted by the city. In nearly every instance, the whole expenses for such care are paid by the town where the patient has a settlement.


Third, from those taken sick in the boarding houses. These in the majority of cases, would be, not only able, but willing to pay a reasonable weekly board.


Perhaps all of the railroad corporations, whose roads center in, or pass through the city, would be willing to contribute a certain amount for the privilege of sending to this hospital,


9


REPORT OF CITY PHYSICIAN.


those in their employ who should become injured, and for whom they usually provide.


And lastly, this being a charitable institution, I cannot but feel that the people, generally, would contribute in a liberal manner towards its support.


It seems to me, therefore, that a hospital like the one above recommended, can now be established, which under proper management will be creditable to the humane sentiment of the city, and which will not involve a large expense.


All of which is respectfully submitted.


ALBERT WOOD, City Physician.


44


REPORT


OF THE


Committee on Finance


Of THE


CITY OF WORCESTER,


JANUARY 31, 1871.


.


:


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.


CITY OF WORCESTER, CITY COUNCIL, January 31, 1871.


The Joint Standing Committee on Finance to whom was referred the subject matter of the order passed by the City Council, January 9th, 1871, asking for information in regard to the present liabilities of the City would report


That they have examined the City Treasurer's Books and find the amount to be as follows :


The entire amount of indebtedness, January


1, 1871, will not exceed $1,900,000


The amount of which, that has been funded or bonds issued for bearing 6% interest is bearing 5% interest is 105.000




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