The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-12-15
Free Health Clinic
 May Be Discontinued
Persons of Means Using Clinics for Needy-Water-
 bury May Enter Health Conservation Contest

parents are unaDte to pay pFtVatS dentist the children are referred to the dental clinic at St Mary's hos pital. Arrangements are made to supply tooth brushes at cost to those who are unable to obtain them in their homes.
 Two simmer roundup pre- school clinics were held in cooper ation with the Parent Teacher as- sociations and the State Depart ment of Health. Dr A. D. IngrA- ham, representing the state Health department examined Nths children. with 8 nurse from our department assisting and also doing the fol- low.up work. At the clinic held at Chase school May 2, 1884. a total of twenty-two children were ex- amined; thirteen were found to have total of thirtysDne physical defects including tohsils and ade- holds. teeth and posture. Two chill dren were found to be 100 per cent. At the clinic held at Sprague school April 18, 1894, total of twenty children were eSamiiiedi seventeen were found to have 9 to- tai of forty y-four defects including tonsils and adepoids, teeth, vision, malnutrition, skin, glands and pos- ture. During the summer months most of the physical defects re- corded were corrected or were re- ported improving,
 During the last school term a total of 14,598 children were tested for vision, with HAT showing de- fects. A report on children whose eyes were found to be below nor maj was sent to the parent with instructions for them to take the child to an eye specialist where treatment and the fitting of glasses, if needed, would be given. It Is estimated that approximately 75% have had this condition adjusted inasmuch as 1t helps the child in his school work and tends to safe guard his sight.
 The figures for the administra- tion of a diphtheria preventive are as follows:
 Number Toxin receiving Toxoid Antitoxin Prs,sehool rasa.,h clinics 4sSs 7ssSs
 There is no figure available on those children who~- receive this treatment from their own private physician. Special effort has been made to have babies from six months of age on receive this beneficial treatment and we are glad to note that there has been an increase. in those receiving this treatment at the pre-school cliri- ics. There has also been an in- crease in the number of school children receiving this treatment. The future record of cases and deaths from diphtheria depends, largely, upon the percentage of children being immunized.
 A total of 932 children were suc- cessfully vaccinated before enter ing school. There is a small per centage of unvaccinated children and they were exempted only after showing statement from their own private physician stating that 1t would be unwise to have them vaccinated at this time.
 In the schools where scales are placed, total of 3,729 children were weighed and measured nd only a small percentage were found to be underweight or under sized. It is impossible to arrange to have all children weighed and measured due to shortage of SN0ANSs <AS SsAO PAOoCAS lAAAS "O hoNS only two scales which were used in twelve schools.
 The idea of X-raying school children for any indication of tuberculosis was abandoned after conferences between the members of the health board and the local medical profession.
 Dairy, Milk, and Food Inspector
 Examinations of milk analysed during the year showed that our local milk supply maintains its usual high standard. During the frequent trips our Milk and Food Inspector made to the various dairies in and surrounding Water- bury he noticed a gradual inn provement being made in equip- ment and methods employed in the production of milk.
 Municipal Abattoir
 The receipts from the slaughter house have fallen slightly below expectations this past year. The butchers patronizing the slaughter house found slim market for their product. Meat has been con- sidered more or less of luxury during these trying times and since meat has been furnished by the government in large quantities there are less calls for it as com pared with other products. How ever. the abattoir is not operating at a loss and as our chief concern is to provide a modern sanitary slaughter house We are content to await improved market conditions.
 Communicable Diseases Cases of Communicable Diseases
 1884