StnmnumotaHIt nf ||as$a:l|ii$Blls, 
I \ \ 
State Board of Health, 
Boston, Oct. i, 1877. 
Dear Sir: 
It is the desire of the Board to obtain information concerning the sanitary condition 
of school-houses and their premises, in this Commonwealth. Yon will confer a favor in your 
replies, which we hope will he as full as possible, by adding any remarks which seem important. 
One school, or more, may be selected for examination. Of course, it is desirable to have as 
many as possible. 
Name of Reporter, 
1. Name and location of school, or schools. 
2. Number, age and sex of pupils. 3. Site.—High? 
Well-drained ? 
Free from nuisances ? 
Sunny? 
Protected from severe weather ? 
4. Are the rooms well ventilated? 
Are they suitably heated ? 
Are the floors and walls dry ? 
5. Cellar Story or Basement.—For what purposes used? 
About how many feet below ground ? 
Wet or damp? 
What means are used to prevent dampness entering ? 
6. Are there any water-closets? 
How many, and on what stories ? 
Of what sort ? 
How ventilated ? 
Ho they connect with cesspools or with sewers ? 
Are there any earth-closets ? 
If so, are they satisfactory ? 
If there are privies, please describe their construction and situation. 
Are they properly emptied and disinfected ? 
Axe there proper provisions for both sexes ? 
Are the children exposed to the weather in visiting them ? 
Are the water-closets, cesspools or privies sources of offensive odors ? 7. Do you attribute to exposed or ill-managed privies any ill effects on the health of the pupils? 
If so, what? 
8. What is your experience in respect to the spread of contagious diseases in schools, and the remedies or means 
of prevention ? 
9. What is your opinion as to such prevention and the means to it ? 
This investigation has been placed in the hands of Dr. David F. Lincoln, of Boston; 
and replies to the circular, to be of use, should be returned before the first of December. 
When correspondents prefer to do so, it would be a satisfactory means of getting information 
to refer the circulars for replies to head teachers in schools. All answers will be considered 
confidential, and the names of the towns and of the correspondents will be omitted, 
when desired. The Board would also be grateful for the addresses of teachers or others to 
whom it would be desirable to send copies of this circular. 
In behalf of the State Board of Health, 
Very repectfully yours, 
CHAS. F. FOLSOM, M.D., 
Secretary. 
[over.] REMARKS.