USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1885 > Part 17
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272
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
NAME.
AGE.
SEX.
WHERE SUPPORTED.
BEGINNING.
ENDING.
Henry West,
-
M.
Almshouse.
B'n Mch. 22,'84 Continues.
§ (Deaf Mute)
66
John Mahan,
12
M.
66
July 16, '84
Apr. 8, '85
Thomas Mahan,
12
M.
July 16, '84
Apr. 8, '85
Mary Mahan,
8
F.
July 16, '84
Apr. 8, '85
Kate Mahan,
5
F.
July 16, '84
Aug. 6, '84
John Laverty, Jr.,
13
M.
[ (Idiotic)
Continues.
Katie Leahy,
4
F.
Sept. 9, '85
Ellen Leahy,
2
F.
Sept. 9, '85
Alice Kildea,
4 wk's.
F.
Aug. 1, '84
66
Percy Laverty,
4 days.
M.
Apr. 13, '84
Apr. 23, '85
John H. Bird,
12
M.
Sept. 12, '85
Continues.
James Burns,
10
M.
Sept. 10, '84
Mch. 14, '85
Minnie Laverty,
8
F.
¥
Aug. 16, '84
Apr. 27, '85
Frank E. Locke,
3
M.
Sept. 11, '84
May 6, '85
Michael Ready,
12
M.
Sept. 18, '84
Jan. 21, '85
John Melican,
10
M.
Sept. 25, '84
Nov. 15, '84
Mary Melican,
8
F.
66
Sept. 25, '84
Nov. 15, '84
Edward Melican,
6
M.
66
Sept. 25, '84
Nov. 15, '84
James Melican,
4
M.
Sept. 25, '84
Nov. 15, '84
George W. Pierce,
3 wk's.
M.
Nov. 24, '84
May 2, '85
Geo. A. Rice,
M.
B'n Jan. 30, '85 Feb. 2,'85, died
Chas. McCarty,
5
M.
66
Feb. 9, '85
Apr. 11, '85
James McCarty,
8
M.
66
Feb. 9, '85
Apr. 11, '85
Terrence Mooney,
13
M.
66
B'n Feb. 28, '85 Mch. 2,'85,di'd
Thos. F. McCarty,
M.
B'n Mch. 13,'85 Apr. 11, '85
Raymond E. Curtis,
6₺
M.
66
Mch. 13, '85
Apr. 2, '85
Bertha V. Locke,
F.
B'n Mch. 27,'85 May 6, '85
Michael Norton,
12
M.
Apr. 1, '85
Apr. 21, '85
James Burns,
11
M.
66
Apr. 6, '85
Aug. 7, '85
James Fanning,
13
M.
Apr. 6, '85
Apr. 9, '85
Maggie Gleason,
10
F.
66
Apr. 21, '85
May 2, '85
Josie Gleason,
6
F.
Apr. 21, '85
May 2, '85
Thos. Leonard,
1 w'k.
M.
July 8, '85
July 24, '85
Patrick Leonard,
wʼk.
M.
66
July 8, '85
J'ly 8, '85, died
Daniel Kane,
15
M.
July 20, '85
Continues.
Michael Kane,
10
M.
66
July 20, '85
66
Willie Kane,
8
M.
July 20, '85
Timothy Kane,
6
M.
July 20, '85
Nellie Foley,
F.
66
B'n Aug. 29, '85
Grace E. Moore,
9
F.
Sept. 19, '85
Sept. 28, '85
Nathan H. Moore,
2
M.
Sept. 19, '85
Sept. 28, '85
Marietta Moore,
-
F.
66
B'n Sept. 20, '85 Sept. 28, '85
Frank E. Holdsworth,
11
M.
for Feeble- Jan. 26, '85
July 15, '85
minded.
Feb. 11, '85
Mch. 4, '85
Mary Kambird, 2d,
F.
M.
Mch. 13, '85
Apr. 2, '85
Ralph E. Curtis,
3
F.
Flora Darling,
May 24, '84
July 21, '84
.
Mass. Sch'l
As the answers to the above questions are to be used as matter for general reference in the preparation of the Pauper Statistics of the State, much care has been taken and a large amount of
273
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
clerical work done to make the replies, as far as possible, abso- lutely correct.
CITY RELIEF DEPARTMENT.
The total number of families having applied for and received aid during the year is nine hundred and nineteen, comprising fourteen hundred and twenty-six males and fourteen hundred and sixty-seven females, or twenty-eight hundred and ninety-three persons.
Of these six hundred and thirteen families, consisting of eight hundred and eighty-nine males and nine hundred and seventy-two females or eighteen hundred and sixty-one persons, have legal pauper settlements in this city or elsewhere ; and three hundred and six families consisting of five hundred and thirty-seven males and four hundred and ninety-five females, or ten hundred and thirty-two persons were State paupers, or had no known place of settlement.
The whole number having a legal pauper settlement who have received full support for the whole or part of the year is two hundred and twenty-four, or one hundred and thirty-one males and ninety-three females.
The number provided for at the several insane hospitals dur- ing the year has been thirty-two-twenty males and twelve females.
Sixty-nine State paupers have been sent to the State almshouse at Tewksbury after having been aided here to a greater or less extent.
One hundred and six families, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five males and two hundred and twenty-one females, or three hundred and ninety-six persons having a legal settlement in other cities and towns but living here, have been aided here during the year in accordance with the wishes or instructions of the overseers of the poor of the several places where they have their settlement.
In providing for the cases above mentioned by the Department for Temporary Aid, at the office of the Clerk of the Board,
274
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
there have been drawn three thousand and forty-five orders on various persons, for the following necessaries :-
For Fuel,
$1,840 00
Groceries,
3,101 56
Clothing,
57 00
Medicines, vaccine virus, attendance and nursing,
474 34
Burial expenses,
690 00
Transportation of paupers,
337 21
Insane Hospital bills,
4,596 58
State Reformatory Institution bills,
1,161 38
Cash allowances,
128 28
Aid to Worcester poor in other towns,
1,045 10
Stationery, postage and printing,
301 17
Miscellaneous expenses,
642 55
Total,
$14,375.17
Amount given out in Dole at the Clerk's Office during the year.
No. of orders
drawn. .
Amount drawn Amount drawn by persons by persons having a Settle- ment in other Towns. having a Settle- ment in this City.
Amount drawn by persons having no known Settlement anywhere.
TOTAL.
December, 1884,
422
$432.56
$218.04
$186.39
$836.99
January, 1885,
599
533.62
309.25
252.05
1,094.92
February,
46
435.30
278.28
178.75
892.33
March,
441
488.00
240.50
134.75
863.25
April,
236
275.15
155.99
81.44
512.58
May,
123
167.65
71.35
61.90
300.90
June,
104
102.25
79.60
67.55
249.40
July,
105
104.85
73.45
72.30
250.60
August,
117
138.75
91.34
96.15
326.24
September,
113
101.15
90.20
157.35
348.70
October,
128
118.35
128.20
53.90
300.45
November,
190
222.10
122.85
55.75
400.70
3045
$3,119.73
$1,859.05
$1,398.28
$6,377.06
275
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The salary of the City Physician and that of the Clerk of the Board are also charged to the expense of the City Relief Depart- ment, and have been as follows : -
City Physician,
$1,191.67
Clerk of the Board,
1,200.00
Disbursements,
14,375.17
Total Expenditures,
$16,766.84
The resources have been as follows :-
Appropriation by City Council,
$14,000.00
Received in reimbursements from State and other
cities and towns, and individuals, 4,262.29
Total Receipts,
$18,262.29
Total Expenditures,
16,766.84
Unexpended balance, Nov. 30th, 1885,
$1,495.45
-
276
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
List of Insane persons who have a legal pauper settlement in this city, and who have received full support at the Insane Hos- pital during the whole or a part of the year.
REGISTERED No.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
PLACE OF SUPPORT.
3010
John Adams,
60
Connecticut,
Wor. Lunatic Hospital.
916
Timothy Buckley,
22
Upton,
2208
James T. Courtney,
49
Ireland,
2242
John Curley,
43
Ireland,
1292
Abbie Donahue,
-
Unknown,
2811
Peter F. Donnelly,
41
Ireland,
3081
Elizabeth Delaney,
60
Ireland,
2380
Kate Dooley,
37
Ireland,
60
66
1292
Mary Donahue,
50
Ireland,
66
2341
Patrick Finneran,
-
Unknown,
3080
Mary Herron,
38
Ireland,
2694
William B. Jackson,
41
Maine,
3044
Mary Kane. Sr.,
53
Ireland,
2106
Jennie M. Laying,
33
Worcester,
66
66
2800
Ellen Leahey,
-
Ireland,
3014
Mitchell La Chapelle,
40
Canada,
22
Worcester,
43
Vermont,
66
66
2054
Frank McGarrell,
41
Ireland,
66
66
1198
Bernard B. McDermott.
50
Ireland,
2770
Daniel N. O'Marra,
26
Worcester,
2201
Charles S. O'Neil,
30
Holyoke,
66
66
66
3073
George Penston,
34
Ireland,
1441
Bridget Quinn,
48
Ireland,
..
66
202
John Sweeney,
38
Ireland,
2260
Peter Walsh,
42
Ireland,
2940
Michael Ward,
23
Baltimore,
2521
Christine Wermer,
38
Sweden,
2875
Margaret Walcott,
45
Ireland,
Ins. Hosp., Tewksbury. Wor. Lunatic Hospital.
Boys sentenced to and supported at the State Reform School at Westboro' and having a legal pauper settlement in Worcester.
Registered Number.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
2838
Edward Hartford
15
Worcester.
827
Patrick Boyle
16
Worcester.
2393
Hubert Deforse
14
Canada.
2819
Wm. J. Hickey
15
Worcester.
3106
George Moultis
9
Lynn.
1081
John Taylor, Jr.
15
Worcester.
2381
Wm. J. Whittaker
17
Worcester.
66
3103
Nellie Leo,
3070
George Lemoine,
1347
Morris Maroney,
-
Ireland,
66
..
66
2936
Charles M. Pettis,
28
Farnum,
2999
Joseph Pryor,
27
Boston,
60
66
66
66
66
Hosp. for Chr. Insane. Wor. Lunatic Hospital.
66
66
6.
66
277
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Girls sentenced to and supported at the State Industrial School at Lancaster, and having a legal pauper settlement in Worcester.
Registered Number.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
1301
Jennie C. Manning .
18
Canada.
491
Inez M. Richardson
18
Worcester.
916
Julia Buckley
18
Worcester.
1904
Mary A. Cahill
15
England.
1136
Elizabeth Ready
16
Worcester.
Children sentenced to and supported at the State Primary School at Monson, and having a legal settlement in Worcester.
Registered Number.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
3116
Edward Beebe
14
Worcester.
695
Theodore Barber
15
Worcester.
40-77
Frank Le Clair
14
Worcester.
Persons having a legal pauper settlement in Worcester and supported at the Massachusetts School for Feeble-Minded.
Registered Number.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
2275
Frank E. Holdsworth
11
Worcester.
3092
Wm. J. Sweeney
19
Boston.
2040
Mary Ann Carroll
21
Worcester.
246
Josephine Garfield
19
Worcester.
Persons sentenced to and supported at the Bridgewater Work- house and having a legal pauper settlement in Worcester.
Registered Number.
NAME.
AGE.
BIRTHPLACE.
2903
Michael Flemming .
37
Ireland.
19
278
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
CITY ALMSHOUSE DEPARTMENT.
On Thursday, October 29th, the Board of Overseers of the Poor, with invited guests and members of the City Government, met at the City Farm for the purpose of making the annual inspec- tion, all agreeing that the whole institution, in all its depart- ments, gave evidence of good care and skillful management on the part of those to whom its interests are confided.
On Friday, November 20th, the Board of Overseers of the Poor, together with the Board of Assessors, met at the Farm for the purpose of making the annual appraisal, at the conclusion of which they presented the following as the entire valuation of the whole premises for the year 1885 :-
95 acres of cleared land, at $80,
$7,600 00
75 acres of wood land, at $40,
3,000 00
25 acres " Bond meadow," at $20,
500 00
8 acres " Curtis lot," at $300,
2,400 00
Total value of land,
$13,500 00
Almshouse building and additions,
$40,000 00
Small brick house and corn-barn,
1,000 00
Hospital building,
500 00
Farm stock barn and connections,
7,000 00
Horse stables and sheds,
5,000 00
Swine house and pens,
10,000 00
Ice-house, pump-house building and water-works,
3,000 00
Total value of buildings,
$66,500 00
Total value of land,
13,500 00
Total value of real-estate,
$80,000 00
Farm stock, tools, vehicles, &c.,
$ 7,204 57
Furniture, household utensils, &c.,
12,068 58
Appurtenances of Truant School,
100 00
Scavenger Department,
9,594 00
Telephone line,
450 00
$
Total valuation, 1885,
$109,417 15
Total valuation, 1884,
98,253 40
Difference in favor of 1885,
$11,163 75
279
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
During the past year an addition of seventy feet in length has been made to the west wing of the Almshouse, at a cost of up- wards of $10,000, giving an excellent cellar for the storage of the products of the farm, and on the first floor ample accommoda- tions for the Truant School, entirely separated from the inmates of the house, while the two stories above, consisting of twenty- four rooms, with bath and attendants' rooms, have been assigned to the use of the harmless insane, thereby enabling us to classify the inmates of the institution in a much more satisfactory manner.
The attic of the north wing has also been finished off, and gives nine rooms, which have been utilized mostly as dormitories for the attendants. The rooms vacated in the old part of the west wing by the Truant School have been refitted for the use of male insane patients, thereby giving them five more rooms and suitable quarters for the attendant, all of which were much needed.
We call your attention to the oven in the basement of the main building, built at the time the house was erected, and cal- culated for a family not half as large as at present; and, as it has to be run continually, and is not half large enough, it is fre- quently overheated and dangerous. We recommend that a new and large one be built the present year, otherwise it will be impossible to supply the large amount of bread required by the inmates.
We also recommend the finishing up of the attic of the west wing, in order to utilize the whole building as far as possible, as, although there has been two additions within five years, still the whole is occupied, and there is now not more spare room than would be needed for twenty more persons, and, with the ordinary increase, it follows that we shall probably need a further addi- tion to the building in the near future.
The retaining wall at the south end of the farm barn having been thrown down by the pressure of earth and the action of the frost, a new one has been built in a more substantial manner, at a cost of nearly $200. There has also been considerable fence wall built on the farm during the year, thus utilizing the large amount
280
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
of stone that had been cleared from the land, by which it has been much improved, and facilitating the use of the tools used in its cultivation.
The number of persons who have been supported at the Alms- house for a greater or less part of the year has been two hun- dred and three; one hundred and thirteen males and ninety females, of whom fifty-six males and forty-eight females, or one hundred and four persons remain as inmates at the present time.
CITY FARM AND ALMSHOUSE.
Total Expenditures.
Total Receipts.
Net Expenses.
Erection and Equipment of New Building.
December, 1884.
$1,930 71
$600 24
$1,330 47
January, 1885.
1,609 81
545 56
1,064 25
February.
1,589 19
620 98
968 21
March.
1,616 49
675 90
940 59
April.
1,379 58
493 72
885 86
May.
2,215 08
651 03
1,564 05
$82 83
June.
1,744 71
491 25
1,253 46
1,897 20
July.
1,434 91
434 68
1,000 23
3,257 39
August.
2,071 33
488 04
1,583 29
1,579 70
September.
1,724 19
391 17
1,333 02
2,465 09
October.
1,754 36
460 39
1,293 97
480 39
November.
1,857 86
744 14
1,113 72
1,234 46
$20,928 22
$6,597 10
$14,331 12
$10,997 06
Expenditures for maintenance of Almshouse, $20,928 22
Erection and equipment of addition to the Almshouse, 10,997 06
Total expenditures,
$31,925 28
The resources have been :- Appropriations, 4
$30,050 88
Receipts,
1,874 40
Total,
831,925 28
CITY SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT.
In the present age when the nature of epidemic diseases and the causes which lead to them are becoming more clearly under- stood, the importance of the work of this department cannot be overestimated. Public cleanliness and public health are very
281
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
closely connected and persistent neglect of the former has been pretty clearly demonstrated to entail sooner or later an increased rate of mortality.
In view, then, of the great need of the work done and the equally pressing necessity of its being done thoroughly, we again urge that the usefulness of the department may not be impaired through lack of means to fully carry out its design.
In our last annual report we strongly advocated that the ap- propriation be made large enough to cover the providing of suf- ficient equipment to do the work as we would desire. At the present time we again call your attention to its importance, and once more carefully recommend a liberal appropriation.
During the year innumerable complaints, the most of them just ones, have been made concerning the collection, or rather the non-collection, of swill. Our answer in these cases has had to be " the work is being done just as well as is possible with the means at our command ; another year we hope the appropriation will be large enough to warrant the purchase of two more swill-wagons -a double one and a single one-and four more horses, all of which are imperatively needed ; and with the removal of the dis- advantage under which we now labor, we trust to be able to avoid further cause for complaint."
SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT.
Total Expenditures.
Total Receipts.
Net Expense.
Receipts and Expenditures.
December, 1884 .
$882 18
$44 10
$838 08
January, 1885
922 18
43 05
879 13
February
638 22
103 20
535 02
March
1,418 19
40 00
1,378 19
April
621 93
40 00
581 93
May
855 59
40 00
815 59
June
533 69
40 00
493 69
July
756 28
1,252 87
$496 59
August
490 06
40 00
450 06
September
699 13
140 50
588 63
October
602 99
40 00
562 99
November
691 47
50 68
640 79
$9,111 91
$1,874 40
$7,764 10
$496 59
282
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
The resources have been :-
Appropriations by City Council,
$7,500 00
Receipts from Department,
1,874 40
Total,
$9,374 40
Total Expenditures,
9,111 91
Unexpended balance,
$262 49
TRUANT SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The Truant School remains as heretofore, at the City Farm; but in consequence of the enlargement of the Almshouse and certain changes dependent thereon, its quarters have during the year been moved. It is now located in the new wing, the entire ground floor being given up to its occupancy, and affording it most excellent accommodations in every respect. A spacious and cheerful school-room, a well arranged and ventilated dormi- tory with bath-room and toilet conveniences attached, a dining- room for the school's exclusive use, and an enclosed space where the boys may enjoy exercise and recreation in the open air, and all of these places entirely unconnected with the Almshouse proper, leaves little further to be desired in the way of advan- tages of accommodation.
The school has also been fortunate in having escaped the drawbacks incident to changes of teachers, it still remaining under the same efficient charge it enjoyed at the issuing of our last report.
A full report from the Superintendent of Schools and Sub- committee of the Board, giving further details and statistics in regard to this department will be found annexed.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
283
TRUANT SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Monthly Accounts.
No. of Pupils.
Cost of Teaching.
Cost of Board.
Cost of Clothing, &c
Total Cost of Maint'nce.
December, 1884
$25 00
$177 96
$202 96
January, 1885
25 00
171 68
196 68
February
25 00
179 53
$12 10
216 63
March .
25 00
225 86
1 50
252 36
April
25 00
189 43
1 50
215 93
May
25 00
144 00
5 75
174 75
June
25 00
174 86
: 38
208 24
July
25 00
141 00
46 11
212 11
August
25 00
93 00
118 00
September
25 00
80 57
105 57
October
25 00
133 29
7 57
165 86
November
25 00
173 14
31 30
229 44
$300 00
$1,884 32
$114 21
$2,298 53
Cost of Teaching,
$300 00
Cost of Board,
1,884 32
Cost of Clothing, &c.,
114 21
Total cost,
$2,298 53
Appropriations,
$2,300 00
Expenditures,
2,298 53
Unexpended balance,
$1 47
Average cost per pupil,
$208 96
An account of matters under the charge of the City Physician will be found in his report, which is hereto annexed.
In closing, we would thank him and the many others who through the year have assisted us by kindly consideration and
284
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
concert of action in emergencies where our official duties have run parallel.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
CHARLES G. REED, Mayor. AMOS ATKINSON, City Marshal. ALBERT P. MARBLE, Supt. of Schools.
CHARLES B. PRATT,
JAMES B. McMAHON, ALZIRUS BROWN, DENIS C. LEONARD, J. LEWIS ELLSWORTH, OSCAR F. RAWSON,
Overseers of the Poor of the City of Worcester.
November 30, 1885.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE TRUANT SCHOOL.
To the Honorable City Council of the City of Worcester :
The Committee on the Truant School submit the following report for the year ending November 30, 1885 :-
At no time since its establishment has this school continued for a year with more success or with less adverse incident. The inmates have been in good health ; they have attended regularly to their duty ; on being released at the expiration of sentence, they have resumed their places in school with improved attend- ance ; and the mania for escaping, which was so troublesome a few years ago, seems to have subsided. This last circumstance is due to the security of their present quarters of the school, and to the absence of any unusual excitement from without. It is always desirable that boys, confined as a cure for incorrigible truancy, should feel certain that they must submit to careful and judicious discipline and restraint, in order that the cure may be operative.
The sentences have generally been for brief periods ; pardons are rare, and they are granted only as a reward for superior con- duct. This policy tends to the good end mentioned above.
The new quarters secured by the enlargement of the Alms- house contain a spacious school-room and dormitories, dining- room, bath-room, and play-room connected with an ample yard. All the rooms are heated with steam, leaving little to be desired in the way of either security or comfort.
286
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 40.
As in former years, application has been occasionally made by neighboring towns for permission to send truants to this school ; but, for want of room, all such applications have been refused. To this fact, and to a steady adherence to the rule of sending no one to this school for any other crime than truancy, is largely due the steady prosperity which has attended it.
The policy which has uniformly prevailed in the conduct of this school, the aim sought, and the methods by which that aim has been reached, have so often been set forth in former reports that they do not need to be recounted here. By reference to those reports, the process by which a boy reaches this school may be learned. The object for which the school is sustained is best attained when it is necessary to send to it but few pupils.
But the school population is rapidly increasing, and the num- ber of irreclaimable truants is likely to increase correspondingly. It is hardly to be expected, therefore, that the school can be maintained with a less appropriation than $2,500 for the ensuing year.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1885.
Number sentenced since founding in 1863, 311
Number sentenced during the year, 22
Total, 333
Number at the beginning of the year,
15
Number sentenced during the year,
22
Total, 37
Number discharged by expiration of sentence,
21
66 " pardon,
3
· eloped and not returned,
0
Whole number who have left,
24
Number remaining December 1, 1885,
13
Greatest number belonging at any one time,
16
Least 66 66 66 66
5
Average
11
Average age on admission,
11 years, 8 mos.
287
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Cost of teaching Cost of board, Cost of clothing, &c.,
$ 300 00
1,884 32
114 21
Total cost,
$2,298 53
Average cost of each, $208.96.
Appropriation,
$2,300 00
Expenditures,
2,298 53
Unexpended balance, November 30, 1885, $1 47
Appropriation needed for 1886,
$2,500 00
Respectfully submitted.
A. P. MARBLE, Supt. of Schools.
---
AMOS ATKINSON, City Marshal. CHARLES B. PRATT, Ch. Com. on the Farm.
Committee on the Truant School.
WORCESTER, Nov. 30, 1885.
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN.
To His Honor the Mayor,
And Gentlemen of the City Council :
The prevalence of small-pox in Canada and the probability that it might reach us any day, has prompted our citizens to avail themselves of the free vaccination offered by the city. An unu- sually large number has sought the only known protection from this loathsome and fatal disease. Seven hundred and sixty-two children have been vaccinated for the public schools and one hundred and eighty-two citizens, not scholars, have been vacci- nated and protected. This makes a total of thirteen hundred and fifteen successful operations this year, a much larger number than has ever before been reported. Notwithstanding our free and daily intercourse with the infected cities, not one case of the disease has appeared here. A large part of our immunity can, I think, be attributed to the strict enforcement of the law touching the vaccination of school children which we practice. Animal virus has been used exclusively. It is the best and most conven - ient at our command. If it is not altogether mild in its effects, at least it can be claimed that it is thorough. The failures in primary vaccinations have been about one in forty.
Diphtheria has prevailed in the city to a greater or less extent throughout the year. It has not been epidemic or unusually fatal. The extraordinary measures which have been put in force to lessen its extent have proved reasonably successful, comparing the number of cases reported with those of last year. Scarlet fever has also prevailed. It has been quite mild in its type and fatal in only one case.
289
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Six hundred and twenty-one visits have been made to the poor of the city at their homes. Three hundred and thirty-five have been advised for at my office and medicine furnished in all cases.
Eight individuals upon examination were judged insane and committed to the State Lunatic Hospital, and three have been sent to their friends.
Eleven sick or injured persons who were without homes or proper care were placed in the City Hospital. They were read- ily and kindly received, and every means applied for their com- fort and care.
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