The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-12-07
Health Officer Ln Annual Report
 Urges Transfer OF Vital Statistics
Favors Concentration of Records in Health Depart
 ment-Fnds Citys Health Record Improved


 Transfer of all records concern ing vital statistics from the office of Town Clerk Dora A. Egan to the jurisdiction of the health de- partment is urged by Health Officer Dr. E. J. Godfrey in his annual re- port for the past year made pulp lie today. The report shows that the department had busy year but completed the period with a de- crease in the infant mortality rate, an increase in the birth rate and a generally favorable health picture of Waterbury to present.
 Dr. Godfrey would not also have the vital statistics paced under his Jurisdiction but would also close them to public inspection except up m payment of fee. Another recommendation of the health otfi- cer calls for the passage of an or dinance licensing fish markets, meat markets, restaurants, baker, ies and so forth,
 Waterburys population is set at 1O4,400 in Dr. Godfreys report. An increase in the amount of milk being pasteurized and delivered Ill the city is noted by the health ott1- cer.
 During the year, 1,155 local per- sons died, 981 of them in the city proper, Of the total, 8 were col- ored persons. There were 83 more deaths during the past year than during the year previous. How ever, the city enjoyed the lowest infant mortality rate in its history
 A total of 1904 cases of com municable diseases were reported during the year. Of this number, 186 of the patients died.
 Receipts Increased
 An increase in the receipts at the municipal abattoir was noted during the year, Dr. Godfrey's re- port shows. During the. year, also, 125 babies were delivered by mid wives. Praise for the cooperation of the press is voiced by the doc- tor. His report follows:
 Administration
 Our first participation, last year, in Sha Inter-Chamber City Health Conservation Contest, conducted by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, cooperating with the America Public Health assoclatlon. won us honorable mention among cities of the 5O,000 to 100000 popu- lation group. The residents ot this city should take great pride in our winning national acclaim because IL is made quite evident we efnclently maintain public health standards. Wo wish to thank all official and non-official groups for their cooper ation.
 Miss Helen Sayles, assistant bac- teriologist, resigned to accept more lucrative position. Dr. +. Barnes. dental interne at St. Mary's hospital clinic, resigned and pr. Ra"mond Clemente was appointed to serve one year. Two substitute school nurses were employed for brief period during the year to do tho work of two regular school nurses who, though illness, were granted leaves of absence.
 Infant and Child Welfare
 Infant Welfare Work: All new babies were visited and copy of their birth certificate and htera- ture on Infant Care left with the mother. The midwives' organization used the health department rooms to hold monthly meetingS-address- ed by local doctors and some one from the state health department. Approximately 125 babies are deliv- cred annually by five license mid wives locally.
 Pre-School Clinics: The pre- school clinics were closed as usual during August but they were also closed during September on account of the poliomyelitis epidemic. We are not certain whether this ac- counts for the slight falling of ln the total attendance at the clinics or whether we can assume that more people are going to thei rown prl-
 , physician for advice and pre- ventive treatment. Toxoid was used exclusively for diphtheria, being fL I'd more effective than toxin- antitoxin and only two doses were required to three of toxin-antltoXln.
 School Hygiene: The work of the medical inspectors consists ot ro..tine physical examinations of all pupils and preventive treatment against diphtheria and smallpox. There was substantial increase in the inspections of school children wit. decrease noted in the physi- cal defects found. The number of children immuniZed against diph- theria decreased and we find an in- crease in the very young children receiving this treatment.
 In the schools the nurses assisted the medical inspectors with physi- cal examinations, diphtheria pre- vention work and with preventive work in the pre-school clinics. When necessary, children were given first aid treatment, referred to their own physiican, or dentist, or to the dis penSary, or were excluded because they showed signs of departure from normal condition. Instructions were given on cultivation of health habits, protection against infection and the correction of remedial de- fects.
 Two dental nurses alternate work in the clinic and in the schools. A written report of the findings of the dental hypieni3t is transmitted to the parents with a request that hey engage the services of their own dentist. If, after investigation, 1t is found a person cannot afford services of a private dentist he is referred to the clinic at St. Mary's hospital.
 Three summer roundup pre- scho clinics were held in the early spring in cooperati onwith the Parent Teachers association and the state department of health. Health department nurses assisted and did f0llow-up work. Clinics were held at k4.~ eYl.1-a cr.ransna anl n,t,nlrar TYiI1