State Board of Health, 
BOSTON, July 1, 1877. 
In making a systematic examination of the Housatouic, Hoosac & Westfield River Basins, the Board 
are very desirous of getting full information on the following points, answers to which are desired as early 
as practicable : — 
I. Is there any pollution of ponds or streams in your arising from 
( a ) manufactories or mills ? 
( b ) town-sewage, etc.? 
II. If so, what is 
( a) the character of the pollution (lime, dye-stuffs, excrement, street-washings, etc.)? 
(b ) its extent (effect on color, smell, etc. of the stream, influence on fish, etc., whether offensive, unfit for cattle to drink, etc.)? III. Does the offensive matter, if any, come from your own town, or from another? 
IV. What is the source of your domestic water-supply ? 
( b ) Is it free from contamination ? 
V. Are there any complaints from manufacturers, or others, of the pollution of streams in your 
town ? 
VI. To what extent are you troubled by wet cellars? 
VII. What is the character of the soil in your town,— light, heavy, dry, damp, or wet, etc.? 
In behalf of the State Board of Health, 
Very respectfully yours, 
CHAS. F. FOLSOM, M. D., 
titer clary