Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-15

every ice. These facts lead to the
recommendation that educational
work. especially along the lines of
prenatal care is needed. The infant
death rate was SIS per thousand.
Fourteen cases Of typhoid fever. all
traced 10 milk borne infection are
the city's record last year. No water
borne typhoid has been recorded in
the city since the source Of the water
supply was changed TO China Lake in
1905. The District health officer has
nothing but praise for the city's wa
ter supply characterizing it as both
attractive and safe
Eight cases of diphtheria, one OF
small pox, nine for chickenpox. -
of scarlet fever in mild form, sum up
the reported cases of communica BILE
diseases during the year. excepting
numerous cases of influenza during
the recurrence OF the disease in the
winter Much whooping cough. and
some known cases of measles never
were reported while tuberculosis was
scarcely ever reported although>four
teen deaths resulted from il. The
laxness in reporting of communica bic
diseases and vital statistics is the Sc
verest point Of Criticism made by the
officer.
The present board Of health, with
part time secretary and members al
an inconsiderate salary. the lack of
a milk inspector until January of the
present year, Mr.. Pope considers in
sufficient for the city's health admin
istration and bases his recommends
ton for full time health officer on
these points. in part.
The two hospitals. both private in
situations. he considers inadequate
for a community serving 10000 in
this respect and recommends a mod
ern city hospital. A training school
for nurses is conducted at the Sis
ters' Hospital which also has a ca
pacity OF 81 beds. Gray's Hospital
has a maximum capacity of - beds
and minimum of u.
Medical inspection OF the schools
consists of an annual physical ex
animation Of heart. lungs. spine.
throat. eyes. nose, teeth. and skin.
Physical training has not yet been
given in Waterville schools but will
be undertaken next year.
Sanitary and hygienic conditionsfn
the newer schoolhouses are very
satisfactory. the weak point being
ventilation. The ventilation systems
are OF the gravity type and depend
largely upon the care OF teachers
and janitors. Overcrowding and the
consequent bad ventilation of many
Of the schoolrooms will be remedied
by the building OF the proposed new
Junior High school.
WateryiIle has a refuse and waste
disposal system but as Yet has no
public system of taking care of the
garbage. and such a system is heart
lily recommended.
The city's milk supply is all To-
cany produced, mostly within five
miles OF the city, the records show
ing eight producers and SIS distribu
tors About 75cc of the milk con-
sumed is bottled at the farm, the re-
mainder being handled by TWO cream
cries. one with 2o00 quarts daily
business and the other 500 quarts. II
Is recommended that these TWO
creameries handle the entire city
supply which would he more easily
under the control of the newly ap-
pointed milk inspector. The milk in
spector has mapped out z campaign
Of inspection OF the dairies, testing of
the milk, and tuberculin testing OF
the herds which should insure the
city a much safer milk supply.