USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 10
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The State Board of Education has emphasized instruction and drill in health and hygiene, and the teachers in the public schools have done much special work in this regard during recent years. Dr. Emma Clark is retained as the school physician.
Our public magazines and published books contain a vast amount of literature disseminating information upon countless details of private and civic life.
Hospitals and the profession of nursing and specialization in clinical practice, together with improved instruments and methods of work, have added much to the alleviation of sickness and the prevention of death. Life Extension Bureaus make it their special study to examine and safe- guard those who by advancing age are more liable to the attacks of disease and sudden death. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company employs nurses, gives physical examinations, and disseminates valuable information upon matters of hygiene among its members. A mere list of titles and some of its "slogans" is suggestive of the extent of their influence, and statistics support the claim that much good is being done in the way of prevention. The following is a list of titles in the Dover office of this company :
Statement to Legislature, State of New York, upon a Constructive Plan for Health Conservation, issued by the National Civic Federation through its Social Insurance Department.
Health Campaign: Six Principles : Clean Homes, Clean Milk, No Flies, No Mosquitoes, Well Babies, No Tuberculosis, Pure Food. The best weapons against Tuberculosis are Sunshine, Cleanliness and Good Food.
The Child: Directions for the care and feeding of babies.
Care of the Teeth.
The "Flu" and You.
The Metropolitan Mother Goose for Children. Beautifully illus- trated.
The Health of the Worker. Danger to health in shop and factory- and how to avoid them.
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All About Milk. Illustrated.
How to Live Long. By Irving Fisher, Yale University.
The Prevention of Pneumonia.
Child Health Alphabet. Illustrated.
Food Facts.
Fake Consumption Cures.
Tuberculosis is Preventable.
Your Friend-the Nurse.
Diphtheria.
Stamp Out Smallpox.
Clean Up.
The Metropolitan, a magazine published in various languages, relat- ing to health topics.
Some results of these efforts to deal with disease and promote good health are shown by the vital statistics of the year 1921 for the United States and Canada, for insured members.
From the "New York World," February 26, 1922: "Mortality 8.54 per 1,000 (31.9 per cent. lower than 1911). If the death rate of IQII had prevailed in 1922 there would have been 54,942 more deaths."
This reduction took place largely in the death rates for tuberculosis, pneumonia and influenza.
But diphtheria is on the increase. To contend against this a new method is in use, consisting of the use of the Schick test and the admin- istration of antitoxin to those who are found by this test to be most sus- ceptible to this disease. New York State is inaugurating special meas- ures to combat this disease. ("New York Herald," March 19, 1922.)
Deaths from alcoholism showed an increase of over fifty per cent. among Metropolitan industrial policyholders in 1921, as compared with 1920.
The Board of Health receives an appropriation from the town, now amounting to $4,000. In case of an epidemic or a pandemic the neces- sary funds are provided. The members of the board serve without pay. The Attorney-General of the State recently made a ruling that a paid employee of the Board could not at the same time be a member of the Board. In consequence of this ruling, W. H. Tonking resigned as a member of the Board in order to continue his work as secretary, a posi- tion which he has filled since 1910. Martin E. Alpers also resigned in order to continue his work as bacteriologist.
The care of community health is a far-reaching problem, depending in part upon the co-ordinated efforts of contiguous communities.
The authority and work of the Board of Health extends to animals as well as human beings, as shown by their inspections of dairy herds. Human life and health depend in part upon the healthy conditions of domestic animals.
As a community becomes more populous and more thickly settled the work of a Board of Health becomes more necessary and should be more strictly exercised. Since 1910 the Dover Board of Health has
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greatly increased its vigilant and scientific regulation of public health. There is always a disposition on the part of some individuals to resist or to speak lightly of such increasing vigilance, assuming that the cus- toms of a century ago are good enough for the present day. But it should be remembered that many factors in the health problem have changed. The watchword of the Dover Board of Health reads as fol- lows: "Eternal vigilance is the price of public health." The public should appreciate their earnest efforts to conserve the health of the town and to maintain the high record shown in the vital statistics report. The time to relax such vigilance has not yet arrived.
RECENT PRESIDENTS OF BOARD OF HEALTH
1910 and 1911-Arthur P. Van Gelder.
1912 and 1913-Dr. A. J. Carroll.
1913, 1915 and 1916-Emil J. Riederer. 1917 and 1918 Martin E. Alpers.
1919 and 1920-George F. Steffany.
1921-William G. Hummel.
CHILD HYGIENE IN DOVER
By Mrs. Mabel E. French, R. N.
Much is being done to improve the health and well-being of our mothers, babies and children.
After a two-year demonstration of the work by the State Depart- ment of Health as to what a great help a baby keep-well station would be for our town, Dover decided to support this good work for the good and well-being of its mothers and children.
The function of this work and clinic is to stimulate interest and induce the right methods and, with healthful, systematic care, make life more vigorous, disease less frequent, decay less rapid, death more remote.
It is preventive hygiene and its accomplishments that is measured not by reduced mortality alone but by increased health rates.
Effective hygiene work consists of teaching the expectant mothers before babies are born and then supervising these babies up to adolesc- ence, that is the infant through two years, then the pre-school child, two to five years, and in some localities where there is no school nurse, the school child.
So much of the school work done for the child would be unneces- sary if all babies were looked after during the first two years, as it is known by experience that this is the time when the foundation is laid for a sound, healthy physique for our future women and men.
The child hygiene bureau feels their work is not only life saving, but is the means of establishing good citizenship, which means self-con- trol and self-denial, which after all are most important factors.
The hygiene nurses teach expectant mothers personal hygiene that babies may have their birthright maternal nursing.
Through the medium of birth records, mothers and babies are vis- ited before (if possible) the baby is two weeks old, so as to encourage and insure maternal nursing.
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This is the solution of infant mortality, as twenty-seven bottle-fed babies become sick with diarrhea to one that is breast-fed. Ten babies bottle-fed die to one breast-fed.
Visits to babies and mothers are made as often and as long as necessary in most cases once a week until baby is one month, then once a month for one year.
It is estimated ninety per cent. of the best work is done in the home visits.
But the proof of the results and proper growth and development is through the clinics at the Baby Station, where babies are weighed and measured and records systematically kept of each baby.
The proper feeding of the infant during the second year must not be minimized by the stress of the first year.
During first year's visits the nurse will have illustrated the value of proper care and administration of food, the control of rest and play, so that after one year and before if possible mothers will seek advice at the station, releasing the nurse to younger babies and expectant mothers.
Then comes the "dark no man's land" of childhood.
The children are watched carefully for defects, that they may be corrected early before they become permanent.
In many instances defective sight and hearing, impaired speech, curvatures of limb and spine have been corrected which might have become permanent if not corrected in time.
In 1921 there were 75.6 deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 living births, while there were only 34.2 per 1,000 living births of the babies supervised, making the birthrate of the State more than twice that of the supervised babies.
At present 177 communities are carrying on State Child Hygiene programs under State supervision.
Twenty-two of these are supported by their own municipalities or private organizations.
We are more than proud to say Dover is among these twenty-two stations, which means Dover cares and is providing a means whereby mothers and babies can be helped, be healthy mothers and babies.
Dover mothers should avail themselves of this great privilege and derive the benefit of the hygiene work your town is offering you.
Clinics every Wednesday 9:30 to 11:30 A. M. Dr. Costello in charge, July. Northside School.
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THE DOVER GENERAL HOSPITAL
The idea of a Hospital in Dover was first conceived by the late W. W. Halloway, D.D., who in calling on the members of his parish very frequently would find the members of the Nos Ipsae Club, a social organization, assembled. He was always delighted to meet them and invariably left with these words: "Why don't you ladies start a Hos- pital for Dover?"
The little seed sown finally began to sprout. The ladies began to think and talk about it. Why not do something worth while for Dover ? The decision was made and with the co-operation of Dr. Halloway and other influential citizens of the town, the Hospital project was first brought to the attention of the people of Dover, on September 10, 1907.
A public meeting was held in Library Hall for the purpose of per- fecting an organization with the view of establishing a Hospital in Dover. The Committee chosen for this purpose was: I. W. Searing, Chairman ; Dr. Emma Clark, Max Heller, and Dr. J. W. Farrow.
In the initial stage of the development of the Hospital movement the greatest enthusiasm was manifested. The organization was about completed. A certificate of incorporation was presented for adoption and many of the representative and influential men of Dover and vicin- ity were named as incorporators. The articles of incorporation set forth that the institution should be called The Dover General Hospital.
It was at this period of growth that opposition undreamed of arose and as a consequence most of the men named as incorporators declined to act and the most influential men of the organization withdrew their support.
After due deliberation at a public meeting, held November 13, 1907, a committee of five was appointed to wait on the Nos Ipsae Club and ask them to form the desired incorporation. Discouraged, but still hope- ful, the ladies did complete the organization and the certificate of incor- poration was filed with the Secretary of the State, January 2nd, 1909.
A Hospital fund was started and a Woman's Auxiliary was organ- ized.
The incorporators, who constituted the first Board of Trustees were : Mary Augusta Searing, Mary Waer, Nellie Cook, Bertha McDavit, Anna Hairhouse, Lena Dott Allen, N. Eleanor Hulsart. Dr. W. W. Halloway, George Pierson, J. H. Hulsart, and Wm. H. Baker were selected as the Advisory Board.
For seven years the establishment of a Hospital was agitated and money was slowly, but steadily added to the fund by collections, dona- tions and various other means.
In May, 1914, a part of the large estate of the late Richard George was purchased by the Board of Trustees for $7,000. With the purchase of the property came new inspiration, renewed interest and new friends for the cause. The Board was re-organized and the number increased to thirty members.
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Work on the building was started at once and by the co-operation of the physicians and the Woman's Auxiliary with the Board of Trus- tees and by the generous spirit of the people of Dover and vicinity the building was completely remodeled and equipped.
Gratitude is due the following organizations and individuals who took a room in its original condition, and fitted it up for occupancy : Dover Fire Wardens, Knitters' Union and German Turn Verein, Mt. Fern Social Club, Mrs. Caroline Smith and daughters, Mrs. E. M. Bell, and Mrs. John Taylor, Harry L. Schwarz and Mark H. Schwarz.
The Nos Ipsae Club of Dover and the King's Daughters of Rock- away each donated a bed in the Woman's Ward.
The Hospital was dedicated January 9, 1916. The dedicatory address was delivered by W. L. R. Lynd and the main address was given by Dr. F. D. Gray, President of the State Medical Society.
The first patient admitted to the Hospital was a man ill with pneu- monia, sent from Port Morris, January 13, 1916, by Dr. Miller, of Netcong.
Miss Annie Wiley, of Paterson acted as Superintendent until Miss Elizabeth Miller of the Presbyterian Hospital of Newark, was engaged. Seventeen patients were received during the first month of the Hospital's existence.
The Hospital was dedicated with Mrs. Munson Searing, the "Mother of the Hospital," as President, and A. P. Van Gelder, acting president. During his two terms of service Mr. Van Gelder had visions of a new modern hospital and before leaving he donated a complete set of plans for a new building.
In 1918, Mr. Max Heller was elected president and has proved a most efficient and worthy official. Mr. Heller inaugurated the annual subscribing membership plan, resulting in thousands of dollars being added to the Hospital's treasury. During his administration the mort- gage of $5,000 on the property was cancelled and to-day the Dover General Hospital stands free and clear of any incumbrance.
The first paid endowment was received in 1920 from the estate of the late Ruth C. Webb, amounting to $2,615.06.
The first bed was endowed by David Misel, of New York City, in memory of his brother, Henry J. Misel, of Dover. One thousand dollars was received.
The Dover General Hospital to-day has twenty-four beds, eight regular nurses, an efficient corps of administrative officers, a well equipped operating room, a pathological laboratory and an X-ray room. Great credit is due Miss Miller, the present Superintendent, who by her untiring efforts has built up the Hospital to the high standard it now attains.
During the year 1921 there were five hundred and six patients treated in the Hospital.
N. ELEANOR HULSART.
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THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARY OF THE DOVER GENERAL HOSPITAL
As has been stated in the Hospital article, the Nos Ipsae Club was the nucleus of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Dover General Hospital.
After the Hospital was incorporated in the year 1909, the women formed an Auxiliary to work in co-operation with the Board of Trustees and help them wherever possible, either morally or financially.
At first their work consisted chiefly of collecting money by various means, but after a time they began to find other avenues of usefulness and the membership steadily increased until it now has about 375 members.
The dues have always been one dollar a year, as it has been the aim of the organization to get the interest, good will, and co-operation of as many people as possible.
Three units of the Auxiliary have been formed: One at Wharton; one at Flanders; and the Roxbury Unit, which includes the territory from Lake Hopatcong to Kenvil.
Monthly meetings are held from September to June, inclusive. Besides transacting the regular business of the organization we have many prominent speakers, who come to us with messages of interest and instruction.
The Hospital was really purchased with money collected by the Auxiliary, and various sums have been given for repairs and fixtures during the past years.
It has been found that a Nurses' Home is a necessity. It is a very great expense to have most of the nursing staff graduate nurses and by having a Home it is possible to have a training school, the pupils of which will supplement the graduate nurses, thereby raising the stand- ing of the Hospital and lowering the cost of maintenance. The Aux- iliary has taken the responsibility of raising the money for such a build- ing and at the present time has nearly $3,000 in the fund.
Each year a donation week is held by the Auxiliary, when the citi- zens of Dover and all the surrounding communities are asked to con- tribute something to the Hospital. The response to that call is always very generous and eatables of all kinds are given; also a considerable amount of money. This lowers the cost of living at the institution to a great extent and is sincerely appreciated.
The work of the Auxiliary is organized under the following com- mittees: the Sewing Committee, which makes Hospital garments, bed sheets, draw sheets, etc., as needed; the Linen Committee, which col- lects old linen wherever possible, to be used in the Hospital ; the Visiting Committee, whose members frequently call upon the patients at the Hospital and carry them messages of comfort and cheer which are greatly enjoyed; the Program Committee, which arranges for all speakers and entertainment; and the Membership Committee, whose duty it is to attend to the renewal of memberships and solicit new members.
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The staff of physicians and the administrative officers of the Hos- pital feel that they could not carry on their splendid work without the aid of the Auxiliary, which expects to continue its activities and hopes to be able to help realize the ambition of the staff and of all public- minded citizens for a modern, well-equipped Hospital and Nurses' Home in an ideal location.
MRS. FLETCHER FRITTS. 1
AMERICAN RED CROSS
WEST MORRIS COUNTY CHAPTER, DOVER, NEW JERSEY
NOTE :-- The History Committee of our local Red Cross has con- tributed by request the following facts and figures pertaining to its work -an impressive record of the response made by Dover and neighbor- ing communities to the call for service that reached us in April, 1917. But figures fail to express the full meaning of the loyalty, devotion and helpfulness to which they point.
"Dover Dates" takes on new meaning when such facts and figures as these are added to the story. And the work of our Red Cross Chapter is a "continued story."
I. INTRODUCTION.
A local newspaper gives the following account of the formation of the chapter :
"Dover is to have a part in the great work now being carried on by the American Red Cross. A meeting of patriotic citizens was held in St. John's parish house last week ( March 20, 1917) to consider a plan by which Dover might do its part to aid in the great national crisis. After much discussion it was decided to ask for a charter to form a chapter of the American Red Cross, to be known as Dover Chapter. It will be the purpose of the chapter to give instruction in first aid, home care of the sick, field nursing, and prepare bandages and surgical dressings and comfort bags for the use of soldiers. The Rev. Walter E. Howe was elected temporary chairman, and Miss Martha Burnet temporary secre- tary.
"As soon as authority has been received from national headquarters, a public meeting will be called to formally organize the chapter and begin work. The use of St. John's parish house has been tendered for a head- quarters for its operation.
"A hearty response, made with the suggestion that Dover take up this work, indicates that there is no real lack of patriotism here and that, should war break out, our town is ready to give of its best support to the government."
On April 10, 1917, a mass meeting was held at Elite Hall, at which West Morris County Chapter, A. R. C., was formally organized with the following officers :
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Chairman-Rev. Walter E. Howe. Vice-Chairman-Mrs. James T. Lowe. Secretary-Miss Martha A. Burnet. Treasurer-J. D. B. Vreeland.
And the name "West Morris County Chapter" adopted at the requests of the Atlantic Division.
The geographical limits of the chapter were defined as follows : Morris County, except that part covered by Madison Chapter, and the Town of Morristown, which was assigned to Morristown Chapter, and the Town of Stanhope, in Sussex County. At a later date the Atlantic Division found that Mendham was included in the territory of Morris- town Chapter. Still later, after Morristown Chapter had taken over, without our consent, an auxiliary organized at German (now Long) Valley, this town was relinquished to Morristown Chapter. In 1918, by agreement with Sussex Chapter, Byram Township was added to our territory.
Morristown Chapter has invaded the territory of West Morris County Chapter at Mt. Freedom, and has collected funds at Rockaway and Mt. Tabor.
By April 14 the membership of the local Red Cross had increased to 250, permanent headquarters had been established in the parish house of St. John's Church, through the courtesy of the vestry, and the follow- ing committees were organized: Extension, Canteen, Educational, Finance, Headquarters and Enrollment.
Branches and auxiliaries were organized as follows :
Branches-
Wharton, April 23, 1917.
Boonton, April 29, 1917.
Rockaway, May 8, 1917.
Musconetcong, June II, 1917 (including Stanhope, Netcong, Budd Lake).
Auxiliaries-
Denville, May 3, 1917.
Roxbury, May, 1917 (including Succasunna, Ledgewood, Flanders)
Mountain Lakes, May, 1917.
Towaca, June 12, 1917.
Parsippany, June 1, 1917.
Hopatcong, July 1I, 1917.
Rockaway Valley, September 7, 1917.
Port Morris, October 12, 1917. Merged with Musconetcong.)
(Disbanded January 6, 1918.
Mine Hill, February 9, 1918. (Disbanded February, 1919.) Mount Hope, May 20, 1918.
Teabo, July, 1918.
II. PERSONNEL.
Chairman-
Rev. W. E. Howe, Rector St. John's Church, April 10, 1917- November 28, 1917.
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Warren C. Van Benschoten, December 12, 1917-November 27, 1918.
Robert Richards, Alderman, Town of Dover, November 27, 1918-
Vice-Chairman-
Mrs. James T. Lowe, April 10, 1917-October 24, 1917. Robert Richards, October 24, 1917-August 28, 1918.
W. H. Hosking, November 27, 1918-January 8, 1919. Charles B. Boyd, January 8, 1919-
Secretary-
Miss Martha A. Burnet, April 10, 1917-
Miss Minerva Freeman, October 24, 1917-
Assistant Secretary-
Miss Mary Sutton, May 20, 1918-
Treasurer-
J. D. B. Vreeland, April 10, 1917-November 28, 1917. Samuel Male, December 12, 1917-January 30, 1918.
Harry A. Armitage, February 27, 1918-November 27, 1918. Fletcher L. Fritts, November 27, 1918-July 1, 1919. Mrs. Edward G. Lewis, July 25, 1919-August 13, 1919. Miss Mabel Herrick, August, 1919-
Committee Chairmen-
Membership-
Miss Ada Chandler, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918. Mrs. S. C. Hume, November 27, 1918-
Surgical Dressings-
Dr. Julia Mutchler, October 24, 1917-August 7, 1918. Assistant-
Mrs. F. F. Hummel, March, 1918-September, 1918.
Mrs. Peter MacMillan, August 7, 1918-November 27, 1918.
Hospital Supplies-
Mrs. Louise Fanning, April 10, 1917-August 7, 1918.
Mrs. T. B. Fogarty, August 7, 1918-November 27, 1918. Supplies-
Mrs. Emil Kattermann, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918. Assistant ---
Mrs. James Govern, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918.
Mrs. Peter MacMillan, November 27, 1918-
Finance-
Harry R. Gill, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918. James V. Laughlin, November 27, 1918-
Chapter Production-
Miss Mary F. Rose, November 27, 1918-July 2, 1918. Extension ---
Rev. W. E. Howe, October 24, 1917- Junior Work-
Mrs. Max Heller, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918. Miss Minerva Freeman, November 27, 1918-
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Civilian Relief-
Capen A. Fleming, November 28, 1917-November 27, 1918. Mrs. J. W. Estler, September, 1917-
Mrs. T. B. Fogarty, November 27, 1918- Influenza Epidemic-
Mrs. Peter MacMillan.
Publicity-
Mrs. Rae M. Silberg, October 24, 1917-November 27, 1918. Miss Martha A. Burnet, November 27, 1918-
III. ORGANIZATION.
April 10, 1917, according to A. D. No. 149.
Reorganized October 24, 1917.
Reorganized November 27, 1918, in accordance with latest instruc- tions from the Atlantic Division embodied in pamphlets entitled "Chapter Organization" and "By-Laws."
IV. METHOD OF WORK.
Methods of work were those prescribed by the Atlantic Division. The chairman of hospital supplies and of surgical dressings frequently visited' Atlantic Division headquarters in New York for conference with the head of those departments. "
V. RECORD OF WORK.
I. Drives-
First Red Cross War Fund. $639.84
Second Red Cross War Fund .. 45,723.29
Christmas Roll Call, 1917 5,643.24
Christmas Roll Call, 1918 8,779.00
2. Supplies Manufactured-
Three hundred and six cases containing surgical dressings, knitted articles, hospital garments, refugee garments and comfort kits.
3. Surgical Dressings Classes and Work Rooms-
During the first months of 1918, classes in surgical dressings were held by Dr. Julia Mutchler and Miss Killgore at different places, so that there were many trained workers throughout the chapter. An advanced or normal course was held at Mountain Lakes and Boonton. Early in the spring these classes were discontinued by order of the Atlantic Divi- sion. Fifteen work rooms were maintained until August, 1918, when the curtailment of surgical dressings was ordered. For many months six rooms were maintained for work on the allotments ordered by the Atlantic Division. In addition each branch and auxiliary did local work in connection with the influenza epidemic, each supplying its own com- munity with pneumonia jackets, face masks and hospital supplies. Pica- tinny Arsenal was also furnished with similar supplies from the work rooms in Dover.
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