SANITARY SURVEY 
OF THE 
TOWN AND CITY 
0 F 
MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT 
F. G. EDWARDS INDEX 
INTRODUCTION 1 
History 2 
Geography and Geology 5 
Population 13 
Organization of the 
Board of Health 25 
Industries and Chamber 
of Commerce 30 
Churches 32 
WATER 33 
Watershed and water supply.... 49 
Analysis of water 50 
Ice supply 51 
SEWAGE 52 
Sewage and sewage disposal.... 61 
GARBAGE REFUSE ASHES 62 
Garbage disposal 65 
VITAL STATISTICS 66 
Death rate 68 
Infant mortality 69 
MILK 71 
Report on one farm 83 
Report on milk analysis 87 SANITARY NUISANCES 89 
Report of the Health and 
Nuisance Committee 102 
Sources of Odors 105 
Dust 106 
Rubbish and General 
Cleanliness, Empty 
Lots, Dumps 106 
Flies 107 
Rats and Vermin 108 
Stables and Manure 108 
Mosquitoes 109 
Smoke 110 
N oise 110 
Piggeries 110 
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE and HOUSING.... Ill 
Public Buildings 113 
INFECTIOUS DISEASES 115 
Reportable Diseases 123 
Quarantine 123 
Disinfection 124 
Control of Tuberculosis 124 
Machinery for Combatting 
Epidemics 124 
Venereal Diseases 125 
SCHOOLS 126 
Town schools 126 
City schools 126 
Report of school physician... 127 
Report of Medical Department. 129 
Report of Dental Clinic 129 
Some Things to be done in 
the Future. 130 MISCELLANEOUS 131 
Markets 131 
Slaughter Houses.... 131 
Barber Shops, Hotel kitchens 
and Restaurants 131 
Diagnostic Laboratory 131 
Institutions for Promotion 
of Health 132 
Annual Report of 
Bacteriologist 133 
SUMMARY 137  45 
Hen ry Ga n nett,Chief Topographer. > 
Marcus Baker, Topographer in charge. 
Triangulation by the U.S.Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
Topography by James MECormick and Jobn J. Lmcol n. 
Surveyed in 1890. 
SURVEYED IN COOPERATION WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 
Edition of Jan. 1893, reprinted 1920. 
Contour interval 20 feet 
Da tu rn is mean. sea level 
MIDDLETOWN, CONN. CITY MAP 
Showing Streets 
Car Lines and 
Railroads 
THE PRICE & LEE CO. 
Publishers 
NEW HAVEN, CONN. MAP OF THE 
City of 
MIDDLETOWN. 
Copyright by 
grirr auji 
NEW HAVEN, conn. 
1922 CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION 
The Town of Middletown, which includes within its 
limits the City of Middletown, is a progressive Connecticut 
community. It is a center of manufacture and trading, as 
well as of education. 
This survey of the various aspects of the life of the 
town is designed and executed solely for the purpose of 
gauging its sanitary efficiency. Whatever comments the 
author may make are intended to focus attention on the 
more glaring instances of harmful factors, which, if 
corrected, would lead to a more secure public health. 
Such criticisms as the author may make from time to 
time are intended to be constructive in nature. The sole 
object in putting forth these findings is the hope that 
the factors which make Middletown suffer, by comparison 
with other places of its size, may be eradicated. 2 
HISTORY 
The earliest white settlers came to Middletown about the 
year 1636. A township, Mahabesek, was formed by the general court 
of Massachusetts in 1651. In the year 1652 the name of Mahabesek 
was changed to Middletown. The reason for the selection of this 
name is not known but it is thought that it was so named after a 
town in England from which many of the original settlers came. 
From the time of its settlement on, the population grew 
slowly but steadily. In 1703 what was then known as the Upper 
Houses, now Cromwell, was set off as a separate parish. Later 
Middlefield, Westfield, and Haddam were likewise split off. 
For the first century after its founding the increase 
in population was slow. There was then nothing to invite rapid 
immigration. The country was rough, most of it being forest land 
and the difficulty in bringing even small portions of soil under 
cultivation was great indeed. The people of that age were self- 
reliant and because of their strong religious convictions and 
moral code led a very simple primitive existence. 
About the year 1730 commerce with the West Indies was 
instituted on a fair sized scale. Shipbuilding industry sprang 
up and the town began to prosper. Grist mills were established 
along with saw mills. Later, fulling mills came into existence 
for the dressing of home spun cloth. 
Then came wars with King Philip and the French. The 3 
people of Middletown gave generously of their goods and people. 
Needless to say, many of those who went never returned. 
When the Revolutionary War broke out, Middletown had 
had practically a century and a half of self government. It was 
then a prosperous town with a large foreign commerce. Aside from 
mercenary considerations, needless to say, her citizens were among 
the first to resist encroachments on their liberties already so 
hardly won. 
Many of the records of what was done by the people of 
Middletown during this great war are lost and scattered. Among 
those who became prominent thru their services were Colonel R. J. 
Meigs and General Samuel Holden Parsons. 
A probate court was established in 1752, a post-office 
in 1775, and a customs house in 1834. The New York and Boston 
Railroad which was chartered in 1846 received hearty support from 
the people of Middletown who purchased stock and erected a bridge 
over the Connecticut River to facilitate the building of the road. 
A census was taken in 1776 and showed a population of 
5,037. Of these, 4,836 were white and 201 negro. Of the males, 
588 were enrolled as officers and men in the militia, and 202 in 
the Continental Army. 
In May 1784 like many other towns in Connecticut, 
Middletown incorporated a part of itself as a city. As it exists 
today the town of Middletown includes the city of Middletown but 
the city does not include the town. 4 
During the Civil War Middletown again sent forth her 
youth. One of her sons, General Samuel H. Mansfield, was killed 
in action at Antietam. 
In the years of reconstruction after the war, the 
population of Middletown increased from 8,620 to 11,126 in 1870. 
Of the industries which boomed at this time were the Rockfall 
Woolen Company, the Sarge Ammunition Works, the Goodyear Rubber 
Company, and extensive ship building. 
In 1868 a state hospital for the insane was established 
at Middletown. This hospital, which at first accomodated twenty 
patients, now has in the neighborhood of 1000. 
Among the educational institutions of which she may be 
justly proud are Wesleyan University founded in 1831, and Berkeley 
Divinity School founded in 1861. 
With the passing of wooden ships in commerce, Middletown 
lost her trade with the West Indies. In its place home manufacture 
came into being, shipping being done by rail and down the river to 
New Haven. 
Today one finds Middletown a thriving community with 
up-to-date business, good transportation facilities, good churches, 
and good schools. There is now a motion on foot to incorporate 
the town and city as one unit. When this will be realized is 
doubtful, for there seems to be strong opposition to such a move. 5. 
GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF MIDDLETOWN 
As originally founded the town included Chatham, 
Portland, Cromwell, Middlefield, and a small part of Berlin. 
As now constituted it is bounded on the north by Berlin, Cromwell, 
and the Connecticut River, south by Haddam and Durham, west by 
Middlefield and Meriden, and east by the Connecticut River. Its 
greatest length is about eleven miles and its average width about 
four miles. It includes the City of Middletown. 
Like many other towns in the northern portion of 
Middlesex County, its surface is greatly diversified with 
mountains, hills, and valleys, with but little level land. As 
in other uneven regions, there are here many streams all of 
which are affluent to the Connecticut River, and afford 
excellent water power. 6. 
GEOLOGY OF. MIDDLETOWN 
The geological formations found in the town and city of 
Middletown are three in number. To the westward is found 
tinacic sandstone with three trap rock ridges running in a 
general way north and south. These three ridges are lava deposits 
which were pushed up through the sandstone. To the eastward is 
found the pretriacic crystalline rock composed largely of quartz, 
mica and feldspar. The whole is covered by fluvial deposits. 
Higby Mountain, the water-shed, is situated on the middle 
one of the three trap rock ridges. On the eastern elope it 
drains into a natural basin which is dammed at one end. Because 
of the geological formation, the water at the disposal of the 
city is unusually soft< 7 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 1 
Corporate name; corporate powers 
All inhabitants of this State, being electors thereof, 
dwelling within the territorial limits of the corporation here- 
tofore existing under the name of "The Mayor, Aidermen, Council- 
men, and Freemen of the City of Middletown", shall forever here- 
after remain a body politic and corporate, in fact and in name, 
by the name of "The City of Middletown", and by the latter name 
they and their successors shall have perpetual succession, and 
be a person in law capable of suing and being sued, pleading 
and being impleaded in all suits of what nature soever, and of 
purchasing, holding, and conveying any estate, real or personal; 
and may have a common seal, and alter or change the same at 
pleasure; and shall be vested with, and possess and enjoy, all 
the lands, tenements, heritaments, and other property and rights 
of property, which before and at the time of the passage of this 
act were vested in the said corporation, and they shall also be 
freemen of said city. 8 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 5 
Officers to be elected; power to fill vacancies. 
At the annual meeting of said city, which shall be held 
in the year 1884, and biennially thereafter, the freemen of said 
city shall choose by ballot a mayor, who shall be the chief 
executive officer of said city and conservator of the peace therein 
and who shall cause to be executed within said city all the by-laws 
and ordinances thereof, and the laws of this State. The said city 
shall also, at their annual meeting in the year 1883, and biennally 
thereafter, choose by ballot a clerk and treasurer, which offices 
shall be filled by the same person. And the said city shall also, 
at each annual meeting, choose by ballot two aidermen and six 
councilmen, all of which officers before mentioned shall be chosen 
for the period of two years, and until their successors shall have 
been chosen and qualified. And said city shall further, at each 
annual meeting, choose by ballot an assessor and a collector, each 
of whom shall hold office for one year, and until his successor 
shall have been chosen and qualified. And said city at each 
annual meeting may fill any vacancy in any of the offices herein 
mentioned, in the manner prescribed for the unexpired term of the 
same. All officers of said city other than those above mentioned, 
except as is hereinafter otherwise expressly provided, shall be 
chosen or appointed in such manner as shall be prescribed by the 9 . 
bylaws and ordinances of said city, and shall, unless sooner 
removed for cause, hold their respective offices until others 
shall be chosen or appointed and qualified in their stead. 10. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 2 
Territorial limits and boundaries 
The limits of said City of Middletown shall be, and the 
same are hereby, defined and established as follows, viz: Begin- 
ning at the mouth of Little river or Ferry river, now called 
Sabethe, thence running in a direction north forty-five degrees 
east, to the east side of Connecticut river, at high-water mark; 
thence following waid high-water mark southerly along the east 
bank of said Connecticut river to Bodkin rock, situated at the 
entrance to the narrows on said river; thence across said Connecti- 
cut river in a direction south, thirty degrees west, to high-water 
mark on the south bank of said river; thence westerly, following 
the line of high-water mark along the south and west banks of 
said river to the mouth of Sumner's or Pameacha creek; thence 
southerly and westerly, as said creek runs, following the main 
or westerly branch thereof to the mouth of a small stream which 
flows into said branch from Warwick's ravine, not far below the 
dam at the north end of the upper Pameacha pond; thence up said 
small stream to the highway leading to Middlefield, near the 
south end of High street; thence due west to ftest river, formerly 
called Matabesett or Little river; thence northerly and easterly 
down said West river, as the same runs, to its junction with 
Little or Sabethe river, in the meadows; thence down said Little 11. 
or Sabetha river, as the same runs, to the place of beginning at 
its mouth, including the waters of said West and Little rivers, 
Sumner's or Pameacha creek, and Connecticut river, within the 
preceding limits; the courses of the several lines given above 
in degrees being their courses or bearings as compared with the 
true astronomical meridian. .11 12. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 140 
Penalty 
Any person violating any of the provisions of 
sections 129/ 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 138, or 
139 of these ordinances shall be punished by a fine not to 
exceed one hundred dollars for each offense. 
129. Times for cleaning filthy places. 
130 Householders to report contagious diseases. 
131 Change of residence from infected dwellings regulated. 
132 Attendance at school prohibited. 
133 Traveling in public conveyances prohibited. 
134 Size of sleeping rooms. 
135 Warnings of contagious diseases to be posted. 
136 Quarantine. 
138 Convalescence or death to be reported. 
139 Funeral regulations. 13. 
Population: 
The population of Middletown consists of 73.1$ 
native born and 26.9$ foreign born whites, with a few 
scattered negroes. Of the foreign born, the following 
nat ionalities are represented according to their number; - 
It all an 
Polish 
Irish 
British and Canadian 
Swedish 
R u s s i an 
Jews 
Germans 
The total population at present is 22, 635 . In the 
Town of Middletovm about one half of the population, or 
roughly 10,000, is urban and about 12,00 is suburban or 
rural. It is but a step from the heart of the city to 
the mountains or to the farming districts. 14. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 20 
The Common Council to be a Board of Health; 
powers of the same. 
The said Common Council shall constitute a board of 
health in said city, and shall have, and may exercise all power 
and authority which they shall judge necessary and proper con- 
cerning the prevention and spread of disease of any kind, and 
for the promotion and preservation of health of the inhabitants 
of said city, may make and cause to be executed all such orders 
in relation thereto as they shall think proper; and such health 
committee or committees may be appointed, with such powers in 
relation thereto as the Common Council shall think proper to 
delegate to them. And the said Common Council, or the mayor of 
said city, or any member of any health committee in said city, 
may cause all putrid or filthy substances of every kind, and all 
other substances which they or he shall think injurious to the 
health of the inhabitants of said city, to be removed at the 
expense of the proprietor or proprietors of the land or buildings 
upon, in, or in front of which such substances may be, and for 
that purpose may enter upon or into all lands and buildings of 
every kind, and all vessels and cellars, and all other places 
in said city. 15. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 21 
Power to build sewers, and assess expense upon persons benefited. 
Said Common Council are hereby authorized and empowered 
to lay out, build, and construct, or cause to be laid out, built, 
and constructed, drains and common sewers in any part or portion 
of said City of Middletown, and to assess the expenses thereof, 
or such part of said expenses as said Common Council shall deem 
just and reasonable, upon any person or persons who are or may 
be, in the opinion of said Common Council, in any manner benefited 
thereby. Whenever said Common Council shall lay out, build, and 
construct, or cause to be laid out, built and constructed, any 
drain or common sewer as aforesaid, they may adjust and liquidate 
the expense thereof, and apportion and assess the same, or such 
part thereof as they shall deem just and reasonable, upon any 
person or persons as are or may be, in the opinion of said 
Common Council, benefited by said drain or common sewer, and 
shall give notice of the same in such manner as may be prescribed 
by ordinance, and shall make a rate bill thereof, specifying each 
proprietor's share of such expense, and appoint a collector or 
collectors to collect such assessments, and pay the same within 
such time as said Common Council shall limit, and to such person 
as they shall appoint to receive the same for the purposd of 
defraying such expense. And said Common Council shall cause such 16. 
collector duly to account for the amount of such rate bill, and 
the mayor or acting mayor of said city shall issue a warrant of 
distress to such collector, authorizing him to collect such 
assessment of such proprietor or proprietors. And every such 
collector shall proceed in the same manner, and have the same 
powers, and be under the same regulations as the law prescribes 
in ease of collectors of public taxes. 17. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 117 
Appointment of City Health Officer 
The mayor shall appoint a city health officer in 
accordance with the provisions of section 2531 of the 
general statutes as amended by Public Acts of 1905, Chapter 15. 18. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 118 
Duties and Powers of City Health Officer 
It shall be the duty of the city health officer, at 
the expense of the city, to cause all matters and things which 
are or shall be, by the ordinances of this city relating to 
health, declared to be nuisances or prohibited, to be removed 
or suppressed and from time to time to report all violations 
of any such ordinance to the prosecuting attorney, that the same 
may be prosecuted; and said health officer shall cause the 
public streets and wharves and landing places to be frequently 
and carefully inspected and purified from filth and animal and 
Vegetable putrefaction, at the expense of the city; and it shall 
be the duty of the health officer to inspect, as often as he 
shall deem necessary, all slaughter houses, tanneries, tallow 
chandleries, soap boilers, currier's shops or works, tenement 
houses and other dwellings and all other places in said city, 
and if he shall find in any place by him visited, filth or 
putrefaction, or that unsanitary conditions prevail, which in 
his opinion may prove detrimental to the health of the inhabi- 
tants of this city, he shall give orders to the person or persons 
owning or occupying said place, for the removal or burial of said 
filth or putrefaction, or for cleaning and purifying said place 19. 
in such other way or manner as he may deem advisable; and said 
health officer is hereby empowered to give orders to the person 
or persons owning or occupying said shops or places, in relation 
to the ways and means to be by them used for keeping the same 
continually cleansed and purified fromfilth and putrefaction and 
in a sanitary condition, and all orders and directions which 
shall be given by said health officer as aforsaid shall be in 
writing under his hand, a duplicate of which the said health 
officer shall, after delivery of said orders and directions to 
such person or persons, lodge with the clerk of the city court; 
and every such person who shall neglect to obey and conform to 
any of the orders or directions, or any part thereof, so given 
by said health officer, in conformity to any ordinance of this 
city, shall be punished, by a fine not exceeding one hundred 
dollars, and every day that such a person shall neglect or 
refuse to comply with such order shall constitute a separate 
offense. 20. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 145 
Salary of City Health Officer 
The city health officer shall receive a salary of 
three hundred dollars per year, and in addition thereto a 
fee of fifty cents for issuing each school certificate. 21. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 139 
Funeral Regulations 
No person shall allow to be retained, unburied, the 
dead body of any human being for a longer time than four days, 
or where death has been caused by cholera, yellow fever, typhus 
fever, small-pox, diphtheria, membraneous croup, or scarlet fever, 
for a longer time than thirty-six hours after the death of such 
person, without a permit from the city health officer, which 
permit shall specify the length of time during which such body 
may remain unburied; and when death has been caused by one of 
the diseases herein mentioned, the body shall immediately there- 
after be disinfected or enclosed in a hermetically sealed coffin, 
which shall not thereafter be opened; and the funeral of such 
person shall be attended at the house only by the undertaker, his 
assistants, and persons living in the house where such person 
died, and by a clergyman, who shall take such precautions as the 
city health officer may direct. In the removal thereof, for 
burial or otherwise, the body shall not be carried in a vehicle 
with other passengers. The bedding, clothing and furniture of 
the room wherein such person died shall be thoroughly disinfected 
and otherwise treated as the city health officer may order. 22. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 141 
Complaints to City Health Officer 
Any complaint made to the city health officer may 
be required by him to be in writing, and bear the signature 
of the complainant. 23. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 143 
Delegation of Inspection of Dwellings by City Health Officer 
The city health officer may authorize such person or 
persons as he may deem proper to make inspection, as his deputy 
or deputies, of the sanitary conditions of tenement houses and 
dwellings and for such purposes the persons so authorized shall 
have the same powers to enter houses and premises as the city 
health officer, provided, however, the inspection made by such 
persons shall be without expense to the city. 24. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 144 
Semi-Annual Inspection Relative to Sanitary Inspection of Property 
Semi-annually, once during the spring months and once 
during the fall months of each year and at such other times as 
the mayor shall direct, the yards and cellars of every house, 
barn, and all the floors of every house occupied as a tenement, 
with three or more tenants; also all the floors of all such 
houses as the health officer shall direct, within the City of 
Middletown, shall be inspected by a special police officer to 
be designated by the mayor and to act under the instructions of 
the health officer. And it shall be the duty of such inspector 
to make note of all unsanitary conditions which he shall observe 
in the course of his inspection, and to report thereon to the 
health officer, who shall transmit a copy of said report to the 
mayor, who shall take such action in each case as he shall deem 
necessary* 25. 
i on of Board of Health: 
The Board of Health consists of the mayor of the 
city as chairman, one aiderman, two councilmen, and one 
physician, the Health Officer. 
The salary of the Health Officer is $300 a year plus 
$0.50 extra for every school certificate he issues. 
It so happens that the Health Officer of the city 
and the Health Officer of the town are one and the same 
man. The town also pays him a salary of $300 a year and 
a like fee for each school certificate issued. 
The Board of Health as such keeps no records. All 
data is reported to the city clerk's office for filing. 
Vital statistics are reported to the town clerk's office, 
since the town includes the city. The morbidity statistics 
are reported to the mayor by the Health Officer once a year. 26. 
Extract from Health Officer1 s Report, Town of 
Mi d dle t own, 1920. 
During the year the following cases were reported: - 
Scarlet fever...7 
Typhoid fever............5 
Diphtheria. 2 
Mumps. .21 
Chicken pox 7 
Influenza .17 
Whooping cough. .35 
Lobar pneumonia..........2 
Fifty-two complaints were received and corrected as far as 
po seible. 
The Town schools are in a very sanitary condition. 
The general sanitary condition of the town is as good as 
can be expected where no sewer system exists. 
Durham Avenue and the section west of Hunting Hill is in 
very great.need of sewers to stop the pollution of Pameacha Pond. 
This is a matter which effects all the people of the Town. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Thomas P. Walsh, 
Town Health Officer. 27. 
REPORT OF CITY HEALTH OFFICER 1920 
To His Honor the Mayor and Common Council of the City 
of Middletown. 
Gentlemen: During the year 1920 the general health and sanitary 
condition of the city has been very good. The annual clean-up 
week from May 3rd to 8th was a great success, and these annual 
clean-ups help greatly in keeping the city in good sanitary 
condition. 
The following cases were reported during the year: 
Slumps .... 284 cases 
Chicken pox ... 51 
Influenza ... 76 
Lobar Pneumonia . . 5 
Diphtheria ... 12 
Scarlet fever ... 13 
Pulmonary tuberculosis . 9 
Measles .... 30 
Whooping cough . . . 167 
Typhoid fever ... 10 
Trachoma .... 1 
Encephalitis lethargica . 2 
One hundred and eleven complaints were received and 
looked after. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Thomas P. Walsh, M.D. 
City Health Officer. 28. 
Extract from Town Health Officer's Report. 
Town of Middletown, 1921. 
During the year the following cases were reported; - 
Scarlet fever....12 
Diphtheria.11 
Chicken pox .1 
Whooping cough..16 
Typhoid fever........4 
Mumps2 
Measles .13 
Forty-three complaints were received and corrected as far 
as possible. 
The Town schools were inspected and found to be in a very 
sanitary condition. 
The general sanitary condition of the Town has improved during 
the past year. 
I would again call attention to Durham Avenue, in the vicinity 
of Pameacha Pond. This section is very much in need of a sewerage 
system of some kind. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Thomas P. Walsh, 
Town Health Officer, 29. 
REPORT OF CITY HEALTH OFFICER 1921 
To His Honor the Mayor and Common Council of the 
City of Middletown. 
Gentlemen: During the year 1921 the general health of the 
city has been very good and free from epidemics with the 
exception of a large number of cases of measles. 
The annual clean-up week during the month of May 
was as usual a great success and proved to be an important 
factor in keeping the city in good sanitary condition. 
The following cases were reported during the year: 
Mumps . . . . . 26 
Chicken pox ... 26 
Lobar pneumonia. . . 5 
Diphtheria ... 12 
Scarlet fever ... 13 
Pulmonary tuberculosis . 7 
Whooping cough ... 31 
Typhoid fever ... 8 
Syphilis .... 2 
Measles .... 207 
Gonorrhea .... 10 
Sleeping sickness . . 1 
Seventy-nine complaints were received during the 
year and looked after. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Thomas P. Walsh, M.D., 
City Health Officer. NOTICE! 
All persons are forbidden, without the per- 
mission of the Health Officer, to enter this room 
from without. No person or thing within said 
room may go out from the same without per- 
mission of the Health Officer. MftD  QUARANTINE 
ALL PERSONS ARE FORBIDDEN ENTERING THIS 
WITHOUT PERMISSION 
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICER UNDER PENALTY OF THE LAW. 
(Sig n ed) 
Health Officer. 30. 
Industries and Chamber of Commerce: 
Middletown has an active Chamber of Commerce, which is 
compiling all the data of all branches of activity in the 
city. This organization promises to be of great aid in 
putting forward much needed reforms. 
Among the more important industries in Middletown are 
the following: - 
T ext l i e 
Adjustable House Dress Company 
Burns Lace Manufacturing Company 
Myer and Gross 
Omo Manufacturing Company 
Palmer Company 
Russel Manufacturing Company 
House dresses 
Lace and lace curtains 
Cotton goods 
Dress shields and 
specialities 
Cotton yarns 
Cotton and silk webbing 
Machinery and Hardware 
W. H. Chapincourt Company 
W. & B. Douglas 
Draper and Hall 
Fiske Motor Company 
Werner Hammer Company 
Wilcox, Crittenden 
Wolcott Manufacturing Company 
Saddlery, hardware and 
bath room fixtures 
Pumps, hydraulic 
and gas engines 
Machine tools 
Machine work & gas engines 
Drop forged hammers 
Marine hardware 
Electric washing machines 31. 
Printers 
Pelton and King 
Evening Press 
Strong Paper Company 
Stewart Printing Company 
O t her I nd us t r i e s: 
Middletown Laundry 
Forrest City Laundry 
Kirby Manufacturing Company 
Elder and Company 
Noiseless Typewriter Company 
N. E. Enameling Company 
J . 0. Smith 
Coles Company 
Meech and Stoddard 
Goodrich Rubber Company 
Toys 
Match cases 
Typewriters 
Enameling and stamper ware 
Tinware and Japanning 
Cereal grinding 
Cereal grinding 
Rubber goods CHAPTER II 
WATER 33. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 66 
Board of water commissioners; how constituted and appointed; 
term of office. 
Mayor to act ex-officio in case of equal division in the board. 
The board of water commissioners of the City of 
Middletown shall consist of four members, to be appointed as 
herein provided. Some time during the month of February in 
each year, beginning with the year 1883, the mayor of the 
City of Middletown shall appoint two freemen of said city, who 
shall not be members of any other department of said city 
government, to be members of the board of water commissioners 
for the term of two years from the first Monday of March next 
succeeding, and until the appointment of their successors. 
Such appointments by the mayor shall not take effect until they 
have been approved and confirmed by the Common Council of said 
City of Middletown, at any regular or special meeting. Said 
board of water commissioners shall be non-partisan, and in 
making the annual appointments the mayor shall appoint one of 
said commissioners from each of the two leading political partii 
in said city, and whenever a vacancy shall occur in said board 
by death, resignation or otherwise, the mayor shall fill such 
vacancy, with the approval of the Common Council of said city, 
in such manner that the board shall remain equally divided, 
politically. 34. 
Whenever there shall be an equal division of said 
baord of water commissioners upon any matter pending before it, 
the mayor of said city, upon notice of such division, shall 
ex-officio be authorized to act as a member of said board, and 
be entitled to a vote on such matter pending. The two members 
of the present board of water commissioners of said city whose 
terms of office expire on the third Monday of January, 1883, 
shall hold their offices until the first Monday of March next 
succeeding said date. 35. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 69 
Water works to be property of city. To be maintained by board of 
water commissioners under direction of Common Council. 
Power of Board to provide for water supply. 
The water works constructed by the said board of 
water commissioners in behalf of said city, and all lands and 
other estate taken or purchased and now held therefor, shall be 
and remain the property of said city, and shall be forever 
maintained by the said board of water commissioners under the 
direction of the Common Council of said city, and in the manner 
provided by the by-laws or ordinances thereof, for and in behalf 
of said city, and for the uses and purposes contemplated by the 
acts mentioned in the preceding section of this act. And for 
such uses and purposes the said board, in behalf of said city, 
shall forever hereafter have power and authority to take and 
convey from the Connecticut River, or form any stream or streams 
of water or from any spring or springs, any lake, pond, or 
reservoir of water within the limits of the town of Middletown, 
or within the limits of any town adjoining said town of Middle- 
town, such supply of water as the necessities and convenience 
of the inhabitants of said city may require. 36. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 70 
Power of Board to take land, etc; to prosecute or defend suits 
at law or in equity; to prosecute for injury or trespass. 
The said board of water commissioners are also 
empowered with the advice and approval of the Common Council 
of said city, to take and hold, for and in behalf of said city, 
any other land necessary for the construction of canals, aqueducts, 
or other works for conveying or containing water, or for laying 
pipes or conductors for conveying water into or through said 
city, or to secure and maintain the said water works or any part 
thereof; and in general to do any other act necessary or conven- 
ient for accomplishing the purposes contemplated by the acts in 
the sixty-eighth section of this act mentioned; to establish 
public hydrants, under the direction of said Common Council; to 
prosecute or defend any suit at law or in equity by the name of 
The Board of Water Commissioners of the City of Middletown, 
against any person or persons, or corporation for the breach of 
any contract, express or implied, relative to the performance of 
any work or labor upon said water works, or the management of 
the same, or the distribution<of the water, or for money due 
for the use of the water, or for any injury, trespass, or 
nuisance affecting the water, machinery,pipes, buildings, 
apparatus, or other things under their superintendence, or for 37. 
any improper use of the water or any wasting thereof, or upon 
any contract or promise made with and to them as water commission- 
ers, or with their predecessors in office; and said board shall 
be regarded as a corporation for the purpose of suing and being 
sued. 38. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 76 
Distribution and use of Water, and regulation of water rents. 
Board to make by-laws. 
The said board shall regulate the distribution and use 
of the water from the reservoir of said water works in all places, 
and prescribe the purposes to which the same may be applied; 
provided, that whenever said water is to be distributed or con- 
ducted through and into public hydrants or sewers, or applied to 
any public use, such as the extinguishing of fires or watering 
streets, or other like purposes, said board shall act under the 
direction of the said Common Council in relation thereto. Said 
board shall, with the assent of said Common Council, establish 
scales of prices or terms upon which water shall be furnished, 
and regulate the time or times of payment, and collect all water 
rents, and shall faithfully account for the same, which prices or 
rents when so established shall not be reduced below a fair and 
reasonable compensation for the use of said water so long as the 
aggregate of said water rents shall be or by such reduction shall 
become insufficient to pay the annual expenses of said water works 
and the interest upon the debt of the city incurred in constructing 
the same, except by a vote of two-thirds of the legal voters of 
said city at a city meeting specially called for that purpose. 
And said board shall make such by-laws or regulations for the 33. 
preservation, protection, and management of the said water works 
as may be deemed advisable, and enforce the same by suitable 
penalties; and when said by-laws or regulations shall have been 
approved by said Common Council they shall be of binding validity. 
And said Common Council may affix suitable fines for the violation 
of such by-laws or regulations not to exceed one hundred dollars 
for each offense, and all such offences shall be prosecuted by 
the prosecuting attorney of said city upon his complaint, as in 
other criminal cases. 40. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 82 
Injury to water, works, or appurtenances, how punished. 
If any person shall wilfully and maliciously divert or 
corrupt the water in any part of said water works, or shall wilfully 
and maliciously divert or corrupt any of the sources of said water, 
with the intent to impair the usefulness of such sources for the 
purposes aforesaid, or shall wilfully and maliciously destroy or 
injure any dam, pipe, aqueduct, conduit, canal, engine, cistern, 
hydrant, reservoir, machinery, building or other property erected, 
constructed, used, or designed to be used for the purpose of pro- 
curing or keeping a supply of water for said city, whether within 
said city or elsewhere, every such person so offending, on convic- 
tion thereof before the court having jurisdiction of the offense, 
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or 
by imprisonment in the common jail in said City of Middletown, 
not exceeding one year, or by such fine and imprisonment both; and 
if either of said offenses shall have been committed within the 
limits of said city or town of Middletown the city court of said 
city shall have jurisdiction of the same; and the prosecuting 
attorney of said city may in such case prosecute the same; and any 
offender, in either of the cases provided for in this section, 
shall also be liable to pay treble damages in a civil action brought 
by said board of water commissioners, through the city attorney of 
said city, and said fines and said damages recovered in said prose- 41. 
cutions and suits as aforsaid, brought by the prosecuting 
attorney and said city attorney, shall be paid into the 
treasury of said city for the use of said city. 
Section 83 
Furnishing water to parties outside of city, regulated. 
The said board of water commissioners, by and with the 
consent of the Common Council, may make contracts to supply any 
person with water they deem proper, outside the limits of said 
city along the line of said water works; but said water shall 
not be supplied to such persons to the detriment of the 
inhabitants of said city. 42. 
An Act Amending the Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 1 
Resolved by this Assembly: That the board of wqter 
commissioners of the City of Middletown shall have, for the 
purpose of carrying out the provisions of an act amending the 
Charter of the City of Middletown, approved June 9, 1899, the 
same power to make use of the ground or soil under any road, 
railway, highway, street, private way, lane, or alley within 
the limits of the town of Middletown, outside said city, as is 
provided in section seventy-two of the charter of said city, 
with the same duties and obligations as are provided in said 
section. 43. 
An Act Amending the Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 2 
Said charter is hereby further amended by adding thereto 
the following: Whenever any plan of the board of water commiss- 
ioners of the City of Middletown for an additional supply of 
water for said city shall have been approved by the Cofcmon Council 
of said city, said board shall immediately thereupon be empowered 
to take and hold for and in behalf of said city, any lands or 
other estate necessary or convenient for the location and con- 
struction of reservoirs, dams, canals, aqueducts, or othei' works 
for conveying or containing water, or for controlling such 
portions of the water-shed as may by said board be deemed 
necessary or convenient for the protection of the water of such 
reservoirs, or for the layout and construction of toads leading 
to or about the same, and in general to do any other act necessary 
or convenient for accomplishing the purposes contemplated by 
this act. 44. 
An Act Amending the Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 2 
The use of water from the city mains, by persons 
outside said city, shall be subject to the rules, regulations 
and by-laws prescribed by the board of water commissioners; and 
all rents, due for water furnished to persons outside said city, 
shall be and remain a lien upon the house, tenement, factory, 
or other building or lot, wherein or in connection with which 
such water shall have been furnished to the owner or occupant 
thereof, in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
are provided in section seventy-nine of said charter. 45. 
An Act Amending the Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 3 
The said board may enter in and upon any land or water 
for the purpose of making surveys, and may agree with the owner 
or owners of any land, property, or franchise which may be 
required for executing the powers conferred upon them by this 
act as to the amount of compensation to be paid to such owner or 
owners for the same, subject, however, to the approval of the 
Common Council of said city, and incase of disagreement between 
said board and owner or owners as to such compensation, or as to 
the amount of damages which ought to be awarded to any person 
claiming to be injured in his estate by the doings of said board, 
or in case any such owner shall be an infant or married woman, 
or insane, or absent from the state, or unknown, or the owner of 
an uncertain or contingent interest, either judge of the superior 
court may, on the application of either party, cause such notice 
to be given of such application as said judge shall see fit to 
prescribe, and after proof thereof, may appoint three disinter- 
ested persons, not residents of the town or city of Middletown, 
to examine such property as is to be taken for or damaged by the 
doings of said commissioners; and they, being duly sworn to a 
faithful and impartial discharge of their duty, shall estimate 
the amount of compensation which said owners shall receive, and 
shall report the same in writing to the clerk of the superior 46. 
court for Middlesex County, to be by him recorded. Said judge 
of the superior court may thereupon confirm the doings of said 
appraisers, and direct whether said commissioners shall pay the 
same to said owners, or shall invest or deposit the same in 
such manner as said judge may prescribe in full compensation 
for the property acquired or the injury done by said commission- 
ers, and on compliance with the order done by said commissioners 
may take possession of said property or franchise and appropriate 
the same to the uses and purposes for which the same shall have 
been taken. 47 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 15 
Sinking Fund for Water Works Bonds. 
The common council shall provide a sinking fund for 
the payment of the principal of the water works bonds of said 
city, to be designated as the water bond sinking fund, and 
in each municipal year during which any of said bonds shall be 
outstanding, shall, from the excess of the avails of water rents 
reported to the common council by the treasurer as provided in 
section 78 of the charter of said city, and not directed by 
said common council to be applied to the enlargement of said 
water works, appropriate for the purpose of said sinking fund, 
or for payment of water works bonds maturing during the next mun- 
icipal year, a sum such as, if annually appropriated, would be 
sufficient to liquidate said bonds at their maturity. All excess 
over said sum shall be paid into the city treasury. 48. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 214 
Penalty for Violation of Rules of Water Commissioners 
Every person who shall violate any by-law or 
regulation made by the board of water commissioners, and 
approved by the common council, for the preservation, protection, 
or management of the water works, shall pay a fine not to exceed 
one hundred dollars, for the use of said city. View of water shed and Higby Mt. Reservoir. 
Causeway across the Higby Mt. Reservoir. View of water shed and Higby Mt • Reservoir 49. 
WATERSHED AND WATER SUPPLY 
The City of Middletown has two water supplies; Higby 
Mountain and Laurel Brook. The former only is used. 
Higby Mountain water-shed comprises 2.06 square miles of land, 
600 acres of which is owned by the city. The water-shed is the 
whole east slope of Higby Mountain. It is densely wooded and 
practically uninhabited. 
The reservoir is so situated that the state highway runs across 
one end of it over a causeway. This is practically the only source 
of contamination of the water supply. 
The reservation owned by the city is carefully laid out and 
is just as carefully kept in order. The water-shed, reservoir and 
reservation are very picturesque from the stand-point of scenery 
and the whole is well adapted for the maintenance of a permanent 
pure water supply. 
Laurel Brook shed is comprised of 1.03 square miles of fairly 
well populated country. The water from this reservoir is not used 
for three reasons, namely, because there are so many sources of 
contamination, because the pressure is so low that a pumping sta- 
tion would be necessary to drive the water into the city, and because 
the city owns practically none of the water-shed. 
The amount of water stored in the Higby Mountain reservoir is 
308,000,000 gallons. That stored in Laurel Brook is 217,000,000 
gallons. Chlorinating Plant 
View of Higby Mt. Reservoir showing 
caretaker's house and chlorinating plant. 50. 
In spite of the fact that there is little source for contamina- 
tion of the Higby supply, the water is 7 pounds of 
chlorine are used per 1,000,000 gallons. 
From the Higby reservoir to the city there is a drop of 373 feet. 
This gives adequate pressure to the water system with no need for a 
pumping station. 
The entire City of Middletown, comprising 25000 services, is 
supplied by city water. In addition there are several residences 
in the town which are supplied by city water. The Town of Middletown, 
except as above stated,is supplied by private wells. 
The city water is analyzed monthly at the State Laboratory in 
New Haven. 
Analysis of water from Higby Reservoir, City of Middletown: - 
Color - clear Odor - peaty Turbidity 5.0 
Solids, volatile 16 
Solids, fixed 60 
Total solids 76 
Effect of heating - charred 
Free NH3 .018 
Albuminoid NH3 .150 
Nitrites .000 
Nitrates .00 
Oxygen consumed on 30 minutes boiling - 5.4 
Chlorides 3.4 Normal 2.5 
Alkalinity 20. 
Hardness, as CaC03 28. 
Bacteria, 24 hrs. per c.c. 16. 
Gas - lactose broth 0.1 c.c. 0 
10 c.c. 0.0,10,10,00 Ice house on pameacho Pond. Residences 
with privies on the banks. 
Showing a privy on the bank of Pameacho Pond 
near the ice house. 51. 
ICE SUPPLY 
The ice supply of Middletown is harvested from three ponds 
within the limits of the town* Two of these ponds are above 
reproach, but the third, Pameacha by name, is apparently badly 
cont aminated. The author, in inspecting it, discovered no less than 
twelve privies draining directly into it from the banks of the pond. CHAPTER III 
SEWAGE 52. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 22 
Repair and alteration of sewers; apportionment and collection 
of expense of the same. 
Said Common Council are hereby empowered at any time 
to make such alterations and repairs in any drain or common 
sewer laid, built, and constructed as aforesaid, as in their 
opinion shall be proper and necessary, and may adjust and 
liquidate the expenses thereof, and apportion and assess the 
same upon individuals, and shall give notice of the same, in the 
same manner as is prescribed in the twenty-first section of this 
act, in the case of laying out, building, and constructing drains 
or common sewers; and said assessment shall be collected, accouied 
for, and paid over in the manner prescribed in said twenty-first 
section. 53. 
Charter of the City of Middletown 
Section 24 
Building private sewers in streets, and use of same, without 
permission, prohibited; penalty for violation of same. 
No person shall construct any drain or sewer of any 
kind upon and from any premises in said city, to or upon any 
highway or street in said city, or use or permit any such drain 
to be used, or shall use or permit to be used any drain now 
existing in said city of the description aforesaid, except such 
as have been heretofore constructed according to law, without 
in each of said cases permission shall be first had and obtained, 
as the by-laws and ordinances shall direct, and every person who 
shall construct any drain or sewer contrary to the provisions of 
this act shall pay a fine of seven dollars; and every person who 
shall use, or permit to be used, any drain or sewer contrary to 
the provisions of this act, shall pay a fine of two dollars for 
each day in which such drain or sewer is used or permitted to be 
used as aforesaid. All such offenses shall be prosecuted in the 
city court under complaint of the prosecuting attorney thereof. 54 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 88 
Permission to construct sewers 
The permission required by section twenty-four of 
the charter shall be had and obtained in writing from the 
the committee on streets and highways countersigned by the 
city engineer. 55. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 89 
Sewer Connections, permits for 
No work shall be commenced on the excavation of any 
street or highway for the purpose of connecting a private drain 
or sewer with a public sewer, until the written permit granted 
by the committee on streets and highways shall have been 
countersigned by the city engineer, or some other person thereto 
duly authorized by said engineer or committee, and every 
connection of a private drain or sewer with a public sewer, shall 
be made at such place and in such manner as the city enginner, 
or some other person thereto duly authorized by the committee 
on sewers, shall direct, and such connection made as aforesaid 
must be left uncovered until the same shall have been by said 
engineer inspected and approved. Every person who shall violate 
any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a 
fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars for each offense. 56. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 304 
Separate Connections with Sewers 
Each building must be separately connected with the 
street sewer, except when there is more than one building on 
one lot, when the sewer of the first building may, with the 
written consent of the sewer committee, be extended to serve 
the other buildings. 57 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 306 
Requirements for Sanitary Sewer 
The sanitary sewer from the street line to its 
junction with the building drain must be of salt glazed tile, 
or iron pipe, not less than five inches in diameter. It must 
be laid upon a true water grade, and the hubs so laid that the 
grade of the pipe shall be uniform and have an even bearing 
throughout its entire length, with a fall of not less than 
one-quarter of an inch to the foot, and more when practicable. 
All joints shall be calked with jute or oakum with calking irons, 
and uniformly filled with Portland cement, and the joints shall 
be wiped out when the pipes are laid. Old drains must never be 
used for new buildings, except by permission of the building 
inspector. 58. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 319 
Water Closets Forbidden in Cellars 
Water closets must never be placed in the cellars 
without special permit from inspector, nor in unventilated 
rooms or compartments; in every case the room or compartment 
must be open to the outer air, or be ventilated by an air shaft 
at least three feet square. In new buildings there shall be at 
least one water closet for each tenant. 59. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 326 
Pan, Hopper and Plunger Closets Prohibited 
Pan, hopper, plunger, or offset water closets are 
prohibited; they will not be allowed under any circumstances. 60. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 331 
Penalty 
Any person who shall violate any provision of any 
ordinance in this chapter, for which a special penalty is 
not provided, or who shall wilfully disobey any written order 
of the building inspector or of the common council relating 
to the matters in this chapter contained, shall be punished 
by a fine not exceeding $100 for each offense. Sewer disposal plant. 61. 
SEWAGE AND SWAGE DISPOSAL 
City System: 
The entire city is drained by its own sewage system. 
The east half of the system drains thru 18 inch pipes into the 
Connecticut River direct and into Sumner Creek which flows 
directly into the Connecticut River. 
The west half of the system is divided into two parts. 
The one ends in an Imhoff tank. This is flushed out every two 
months and the sludge is removed yearly. The other ends in a 
septic tank which filters the sludge grossly and the fluid part 
drains thru an 18 inch pipe into Little River which flows directly 
into the Connecticut River. The odor from this latter tank is 
objectionable, but since it is in an uninhabited part of town it 
does not properly constitute a nuisance. 
Town System: 
One part of town, that known as South Farms, is 
equipped with a private sewage system which flows directly into 
the Connecticut River. The remainder of the town is without 
means of sewage disposal. Here one finds cesspools used extensively. 
The sewage from the State Hospital flows down the 
hillside in an open drain into the Connecticut River. It passes 
under a road which is extensively used and is a real nuisance 
because of its odor. CHAPTER IV 
GARBAGE REFUSE ASHES 62. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 70 
Garbage, Ashes, and Rubbish 
No waste paper, old clothing, bedding, ashes, dirt or 
store or sidewalk sweepings, vegetable or animal matter, kitchen 
garbage or refuse or rubbish of any kind shall be thrown on any 
street or sidewalk in the city, or placed thereon except for the 
purpose of removal in the manner by the ordinances provided, and 
for the purpose of such removal all waste paper, old clothing, 
bedding and refuse or rubbish of a like nature shall be fastened 
by securely tying in bundles or otherwise, or placed in suitable 
vessels in such manner that the same cannot be scattered by the 
wind, and all ashes, dirt, sweepings, vegetable or animal matter, 
kitchen garbage and refuse or rubbish of a similar nature shall 
be placed in suitable vessels, which, when vegetable or animal 
matter or kitchen garbage is placed in the same, shall be 
properly covered. 63. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 71 
Ashes and Rubbish to be removed by the Street Commissioner. 
It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to 
cause to be removed said ashes, store sweepings, and rubbish, so 
put and deposited, free to parties so depositing them, whenever 
it shall be necessary and proper for the same to be removed, or 
with the approval of the common council, he may contract with 
responsible parties for the removal of the same under his 
direction. 64. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 72 
Garbage, Removal of 
Any person residing or doing business on any street 
in said city may deposit rubbish, ashes, vegetable and other 
matter, in boxes or other suitable receptacles, by the 
sidewalk in front of their stores or dwellings, on such days 
and at such times as shall be designated by the common council, 
and in such manner as shall be provided by the ordinances, so 
that the same can be conveniently removed by the street 
commissioner; and any person who shall deposit, place, or 
suffer any ashes, rubbish or filth whatever in any of the 
streets aforesaid, except as above provided, shall be punished 
for each offense by a fine of not more than ten dollars. City dump at a distance 
City dump showing garbage, refuse 
and ashes all dumped together. 
Close-up. 65. 
GARBAGE DISPOSAL 
Within the corporate limits of the city, garbage, refuse 
and ashes are collected twice a week except on Main Street, where 
it is collected daily. Garbage, refuse and ashes are put in one 
receptacle and carried away all mixed together, and are disposed 
of by being dumped in a vacant lot which drains into Summer Creek. 
This dump is just a stone's throw from the main street of 
the city, and is just across Summer Creek from the Middlesex 
Hospital. Naturally enough, it is a vile-smelling place and a 
great breeding place for flies. There were no evidences of its 
having been burnt over recently. It must be delightful to be a 
patient in the hospital and have the gentle zephyrs waft into 
your room the stench of the city's garbage dump. CHAPTER V, 
VITAL STATISTICS 1. Name of Groom 
2. Age 3. Color 
4. Occupation 
5. Birthplace 
6. Residence 
7. 1st, 2nd or 3rd marriage 
8. Name of Father 
9. Maiden name of Mother 
1. Bride's Name 
2. Age 3. Color 
4. Occupation 
5. Birthplace 
6. Residence 
7. 1st, 2nd or 3rd marriage 
8. Name of Father 
9. Maiden name of Mother 
Signature 
Official Capacity 
Address 
4 
Write plainly with black unfading ink. This is a permanent record. Every item of information should be carefully supplied. 
Form S-3 
S'tate nf (fotmertirut 
Carriage KiceasE 
Town of ... .h..'... 
: 1. Groom's - y- 1. Bride's . 
Name . J&&T. .£ Name ......... >..... 
2. Age "X£ 2. Age A....X*£ 
i 3. Color .... 3. Color ,/ .-. 
4. Occupation »X ....... 4. Occupation 
„ . j Town n ii j Town 
3. Birthplace \ o. Birthplace < _ . 
I State or Country ?.....». / State or Country 5?r...CT.?>'.....'?rVf.....f. 
6. His Residence..6 Her Residence 7.4c? -dZiL... 
I Sin§le 2d-3d ? 1* . iSingle 2d-3d aC 
7. < Widower Marriage ) 7. Widow-?; Marriage ) 
( 0 (Divorced 
8. Name of Father 8. Name of Father ....-xlw2U<;..w^/Cf,. .. W 
9. Maiden name ) ?? | •■ ■**■ yt--?' 9. Maiden name Tt ajA/T O A. 1 M'?--*.* 
of Mother \ " | of Mother $ - ■■■■■■J • 
3 jlXd or<<jJ! ( -z , one °l the persons named in this Marriage 
License, do solemnly swear that the Statements therein are true. 
Sworn to before me this BLfl...(?..>?......day Signed ...-.■$ 
of 192 Registrar 
(Tills that the above-named parties have complied with the laws of Connecticut relating to marriage license, 
and any person authorized to celebrate marriage may join the above-named in marriage within the town of----••••••••• 
Dated 1. 1 192...2hr?... Attest: 
Carriage OJcrtiSrate 
31 lierrby dfrrtify that Mr. and 
M , the above-named parties, were 
legally joined in marriage by me at this 
Town 
day of 1 92 
Signed 
Address Official Capacity CONSENT OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN 
To be filled in when either party is a minor* 
Conn., this day of.. 192 
I do hereby give my consent for the marriage of. 
my son, to 
, Conn., this day of. 192 
I do hereby give my consent for the marriage of. 
my daughter, to. 
CONSENT OF FIRST SELECTMAN 
To be filled in when either party is less than sixteen years of age.* 
Conn., this day of. 192 
I do hereby give my consent for the marriage of. 
to 
*Pasters may be attached First Selectman 
TO CLERGYMEN AND MAGISTRATES 
Any person solemnizing a marriage under this license in any other town than that in which it was issued, or joining any persons in mar- 
iage without having first received a certificate of license, is liable to a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars, or imprisonment in a 
common jail not exceeding one year or both fine and imprisonment. 
This certificate, duly signed, must be returned to the Registrar, by the person who joins the parties in marriage, within the first week 
of the month next succeeding such marriage, under penalty of Ten Dollars for neglect. 
TO REGISTRARS 
If neither of such persons seeking a marriage license is a resident of the town in which the marriage is to be celebrated the registrar 
shall not issue his certificate until the fifth day following except as provided by statute. 
This Certificate received for record this day of\*. 192 
* $ 
Registrar 
L, 
A 1. Name 
2. Sex 
3. Birthplace 
4. Date of Birth 
5. Name of Father 
6. Age years 
7. Color 
8. Residence of Father 
9. Birthplace of Father 
10. Occupation 
11. Maiden name of Mother 
12. Age years 
13. Color 
14. Residence of Mother 
15. Birthplace of Mother 
16. Number of Child of Mother 
17. Remarks 
NOTE-If child is born out of wedlock 
so indicate on the Certificate by the sym- 
bol-"O. W." 
Write plainly with black, unfading Ink. This is a permanent record. Every item of information should be carefully supplied. 
KormS2 State of Connecticut 
BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS 
Certificate of Birth 
1. Name of Child „ 2. Sex. 
I / V • including Surname * % „ 
3. Place of Birth-Town A/b. 
\ Street, Locality or Hospital* 
4. Date of Birth ...day of... is 
5. Full name of Father *?. 
*If birth occurred in a hospital give the street address or lo- 
6. Age of Father £ years cality in which the FATHER resides (on line below). 
7. Color of Father 
<8. Residence of Father-Town..... ....State or Country 
9. Birthplace of Father-Town.._....^7...r! State or Country ..... 
T) . 
10. Occupation of Father ........................ 
11. Maiden name of Mother ... ........ 
17 
12. Age of Mother..........................years z. 
13. Color of Mother............h^Jrf.'....... 
14. Residence of Mother-Town State or Country........... » 
15. Birthplace of Mother-Town............. .... State or Country lr<Sr...... 
16. Number of Child of Mother 16A. Number living 
17. Remarks 
If twin so state-See "Note" on stub 
I certify the above from the best information I can obtain. 
Name 
Dated ..... 19.J Attending i....iJl.. ....&Z..J,..t:......". 
yy x Physician or Midwife 
® Address.. 
! 0 
(OVER) IMPORTANT 
Birth Certificates should be complete and accurate. 
The Law demands complete and accurate certificates. 
Your patients expect you to file complete and accurate certificates. 
Make THIS certificate complete and accurate. 
For Stillbirths use BLUE blanks ONLY. 
TEN DOLLARS is the penalty for neglect to file a Birth Certificate within 
Ten days after the birth. 
REGISTRARS accepting incomplete Certificates are required to secure the 
additional information necessary to complete, and to transmit 
the same to the Superintendent of Vital Statistics at Hartford. 
This Certificate received for record on the, day of 19 
Registrar. v. ■ * 
1. Name of deceased 
2. Primary cause of death 
3. Duration of disease 
% 
4. Secondary cause of death 
5. Duration of disease 
1. Name of Deceased 
2. Place of Death 
3. No. of families in house 
4. Legal Residence 
5. Occupation 
6. Single, widowed, married or 
divorced 
7. If wife or widow, of whom 
8. Date of death 
9. Date of birth 
10. Age 
11. Sex 12. Color 
13. Birthplace 
14. Father's name 
15. Father's birthplace 
16. Mother's name 
17. Mother's birthplace 
18. Place of burial 
19. Name of informant 
20. Was body embalmed 
WRITE PLAINLY, WITH BLACK UNFADING INK THIS IS A PERMANENT RECORD 
Every item of information should be carefully supplied. AGE should be stated EXACTLY. PHYSICIAN should state CAUSE OF DEATH in plain 
4 terms, so that it may be properly classified. Exact statement of OCCUPATION is very important. See instructions on back of certificate. 
FormS4 State of Connecticut 
BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS 
Medical Certificate of Death 
1. Full name of deceased......... 
2. Primary cause of death ...if..... 3. Duration.Ijb..f>..days 
4. Secondary or contributory 5. Duration...... 
Remarks ... %.. 
0 
/ certify that I attended the deceased in last illness, and that the cause of death 
was as above stated. . 
* See other side Signature fd . 
C ll* in which he signs 
Dated 19 'I 2- Arfrfress .<£... 
Undertaker's Certificate 
PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL 
1. Full name of deceased^......................................................................................................................................................................................... 
2. Place of death-Town. No Street, Ward............... 
(If death occurred in hospital or institution, give its name instead of street and number) 
3. Number of families in house 
4. Residence at time of death 
Town State or Country 
♦ 
5. Occupation .................................................................................... 
6. Condition (state whether single, married, divorced or widowed) 
7. If wife or widow, give name of husband. 
8. Date of death-year , month day 
9. Date of birth-yearmonthday 
10. Age years months days 
11. Sex 
12. Color 
13. Birthplace-Town State or Country 
14. Father's name in full 
15. Father's birthplace-Town State or Country 
16. Mother's maiden name 
17. Mother's birthplace-Town State or Country 
18. Place of burial Cemetery 
19. Name of informant. Address 
20. Was body embalmed License No 
Signature of Undertaker Address 
(or person in charge) ■ 11. 
1. Name of deceased 
2. Primary cause of death 
3. Duration of disease 
4. Secondary cause of death 
5. Duration of disease 
1. Name of Deceased 
2. Place of Death 
3. No. of families in house 
4. Legal Residence 
5. Occupation 
6. Single, widowed, married or 
divorced 
7. If wife or widow, of whom 
8. Date of death 
9. Date of birth 
10. Age 
11. Sex 12. Color 
13. Birthplace 
14. Father's name 
15. Father's birthplace 
16. Mother's name 
17. Mother's birthplace 
18. Place of burial 
19. Name of informant 
20. Was body embalmed 
WRITE PLAINLY, WITH BLACK UNFADING INK THIS IS A PERMANENT RECORD 
F information should be carefully supplied. AGE should be stated EXACTLY. PHYSICIAN should state CAUSE OF DEATH in plain 
so that h may" t>J properly classified. Exact statement of OCCUPATION is very important. See mstruct.ons on back of cert.ficate. 
FormS4 State of Connecticut 
BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS 
Medical Certificate of Death 
1. Full name of deceased, 
2. Primary cause of death 3. Dur ation.l%;.,.0..days 
4. Secondary or contributory..........................................................................5. Duration...... days 
Remarks .. 
/ certify that I attended the deceased in h...£i& last illness, and that the cause of death 
was as above stated. T 
♦See Other side Signature..........(..... - 
lg* Capacity in which he signs 
Dated ........ 1& „.>r!S<flr!N«»....rf 
Undertaker's Certificate 
PERSONAL AND STATISTICAL 
1. Full name of 
2. Place of death-Town No Street, Ward 
(If death occurred in hospital or institution, give its name instead of street and number) 
3. Number of families in house 
4. Residence at time of death 
Town State or Country 
* 
5. Occupation 
6. Condition (state whether single, married, divorced or widowed) 
7. If wife or widow, give name of husband. 
8. Date of death-year month........................................... day 
9. Date of birth-year month day 
10. Age years months, days 
11. Sex 
12. Color 
13. Birthplace- Town State or Coun try 
14. Father's name in full 
15. Father's birthplace- Town State or Country 
16. Mother's maiden name 
17. Mother's birthplace-Town State or Country 
18. Place of burial Cemetery................................................................................. 
19. Name of informant Address 
20. Was body embalmed embalmer License No 
Signature of Undertaker Address.................................................................................. 
(or person in charge) IMPORTANT 
Extract from Sec. 330 of the General Statutes as amended by chapter 45 of the Public Acts of 1919. 
The Law Concerning Death Certificates 
ST ATEMENT OF CAUSE OF DEATH The physician last in attendance upon a person in his last sick- 
ness, within twenty-four hours after the death of such person, or a medical examiner, in cases of which 
he has cognizance alter he has prepared to make his report, shall make out a certificate upon a blank fur- 
nished by the State Department of Health, stating the full name of the deceased, the disease of which 
he died, or the cause of death, defined so that such death can be classified under the International List 
of Causes of Death; and the duration of disease if known, and said physician shall provide that such cer- 
tificate may be obtained at his office upon application therefor. A certificate of death which does not 
define the disease or other cause of death as herein provided, shall not be deemed sufficient upon which to 
issue a burial or removal permit, and such certificate shall be returned to the physician who made it for 
the proper correction and definition, unless specifically stated therein that the cause of death is not ob- 
tainable. 
EXAMPLES 
Causes of Death Occupations 
Not Satisfactory Satisfactory Not Satisfactory Satisfactory 
Heart Failure Myocarditis Salesman Shoe Salesman 
Pneumonia Lobar-Pneumonia Engineer Locomotive Engineer 
Cancer * Cancer of Liver Clerk i Time Clerk 
Convulsions-Simple 
Convulsions Meningitis Factory Employee Wool Weaver 
Septicaemia Septicaemia-Miscarriage R. R. Employee ■ Track Walker 
Fracture of Skull-Auto 
Fracture of Skull Accident Retired j Retired Druggist 
This Certificate received for record on the day of 19... 
' -...Registrar 
of Burial 66 
VITAL STATISTICS, 
Since the Town of Middletown includes the City of 
Middletown, but the city does not include the town, it 
becomes evident that the matter of compiling vital 
statistics is not an easy task. It is hopeless to try 
to get separate statistics for the city or that part of 
the town outside the city, since all the vital statistics 
are kept in the office of the Town Clerk. 
Therefore the statistics represented on the succeeding 
charts are not guaranteed to be absolutely accurate, but 
tney are as accurate as it is possible to obtain under the 
prevailing method of recording. There is another factor 
which influences the trend of vital statistics in Middle- 
town, namely, that the non-residents* deaths at the State 
Hospital for the Insane and at the Middlesex County Hospital 
are included along with the resident deaths on the record 
books. 
An endeavor was made to separate out the non-residents 
and to compile the following charts on rock bottom data. 
Thus, in 1921, out of a total number of 470 deaths occurring 
in Middletown, 236 were non-residents and of this number 181 
died at the State Hospital and 55 died at the Middlesex 
Hospital. In addition, 16 citizens of Middletown died away 
from home, consequently the total resident deaths were 250 67 
for the year 1921. This would make the death rate 
per 1000 for all causes for 1921, 11.4. 
At the time of this survey the figures for 1922 were 
not available, consequently the figures on which the charts 
are based are taken over a ten year period, 1911 - 1920. 
These figures are contrasted with figures over the same 
period for Meriden, New London, and New Britain. 67 a 
Comparative Size lof- Cities in. 
Same General Region- as 
Ntddl down, Corvrt, 
52,383 
34,01+ 
NEW BRITAIN 
22,975 
MERIDEN 
22,635 
NE.W 
LONDON 
MIDDLE - 
TOWN __6£L_ 
Com. pa rat lire Averaae b«ath.Rat«. 
All Causes J9Jj'J920 
Per J, 000 Population. 
U7.8 
15.2 
14.0 
12.6 
MID&LE-TOV/N 
NEW LONDON 
NEW BRITAIN 
MERIDEN 
MERIDEN 69 
Average l\aJr<7. per Jd0,000 population 
MERIDEN 
NEWLONO-JJ4 
MIDDLETOWN 69 a 
Average E)<zdtK R.ate per jofi.OOO popul&tion. 
J9J1 - 302.0 
ftlTAW 
ME.RIDE.N 
New London 
M ID OLE-Town  .. 
zzzzzzzfzzzzlzzz ,..n: zzzl_z: :zrztizzzzzzzz±zt±nzz__z_ zzz_znzzf±ttzt±±zzzt±±±zt±l 
'Tnavmjnjx*< CHAPTER VI 
MILK 71. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 146 
Milk Inspector, Appointment and Duties 
The mayor shall annually in the month of February, 
with the approval of the common council, appoint a competent 
person to act as milk inspector, whose powers and duties shall 
be such as defined by the statute laws of Connecticut, and as 
herein stated. 72. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 151 
Salary of Milk Inspector 
The milk inspector shall receive as full compensation 
for his services the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars per 
year. 73. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 147 
Collection of Samples of Milk 
As often as once in every two weeks during the months 
of June, July, August, and September, and as often as once during 
every three weeks of the other months of the year, said milk 
inspector shall collect samples of milk and cream from every 
person selling or offering milk or cream for sale within the 
limits of the City of Middletown, and shall deliver samples so 
collected to the state laboratory for examination. The days 
when samples shall be so collected may be fixed by the city 
health officer. The results of such inspection shall be placed 
on file in the city clerk's office, and shall be open to 
examination by the public. 74. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 148 
Complaints and Reports by Milk Inspector 
Said milk inspector shall make complaint of all 
violations of the statute laws of Connecticut relating to 
the adulteration, inspection and sale of milk, and of the 
ordinances of the City of Middletown relating thereto to the 
prosecuting attorney for the City of Middletown, and report 
thereof to the city health officer. 75. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 149 
Conditions as to Cleanliness to be Reported to City Health Officer 
Said milk inspector shall report to the city health 
officer the conditions in respect to the cleanliness that he 
shall find to prevail in buildings and places where animals 
producing milk to be sold in the City of Middletown are kept, 
and the conditions of the dairies and other places where milk 
or cream is kept, handled or sold, or to be handled or sold, in 
said city, also report to the health officer the conditions of 
animals producing milk and methods used in cleaning cans, 
bottles and other receptacles in which such milk or cream is 
kept. 76. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 150 
Unhealthful Conditions to Be Reported to Common Council 
If in any case or eases the conditions or methods 
found to prevail in any of the foregoing respects shall be such 
as, in the opinion of the city health officer, to render the 
milk or cream coming from such animal or places unhealthful or 
unwholesome, the city health officer shall notify the owner of 
such animals or places or manager thereof, and if there is not 
forthwith such an improvement in the said conditions and methods 
as shall, in the opinion of the city health officer, render such 
milk or cream healthful or wholesome, he shall make a full report 
of conditions and methods found to prevail together with the name 
of the owner or the manager of such places to the common council 
of the city, who shall take such action as the circumstances 
warrant. 77. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 152 
Registration of Milk Dealers 
No person shall sell milk or cream within the limits 
of the City of Middletown, except such as shall register their 
names, residences and numbers in a book kept for that purpose 
at the office of the city clerk. Such registration shall be 
made annually in January in each year and at any time thereafter, 
previous to any sale of milk or cream by the applicant therefor, 
and shall be good until the succeeding February 1st in each year. 78. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 153 
Adulteration of Skimmed Milk 
No person shall sell, offer for sale, or have in his 
possession with intent to sell or exchange, within the limits 
of the City of Middletown, any skimmed milk diluted with water 
or adulterated by the addition of any foreign substance. Any 
person violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be 
punished by a fine not to exceed ten dollars. 79. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 154 
Display of Register Number 
Every person selling or offering milk or cream for 
sale within the limits of the City of Middletown, shall cause 
his register number together with t he words ''Milk Register No." 
to be displayed in a conspicuous place on the outer side of 
every wagon, cart or conveyance from which, and in every store 
or room in which milk or cream is being sold or offered for sale. 
The register number shall be in figures the height of which shall 
be at least four inches, and the words "Milk Register No." shall 
be in letters at least two inches in height. 80. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 155 
Penalty for Failure to Register 
Every person who shall sell milk or cream within 
the limits of the City of Middletown without registering the 
name and residence as herein prescribed, or shall fail to 
display his registry number as herein prescribed, or shall 
obstruct the milk inspector in the discharge of his duties, 
shall pay a fine not to exceed ten dollars for each offense, 
for the use of the city. 81. 
MILK. 
Middletown is well off as regards its milk supply. 
There is an adequate amount of high grade, rigidly inspected 
milk produced in the township. Examination of milk and 
inspection of dairies is carried on the year round, twice a 
month in June, July, August and September, and once a month 
the rest of the year. 
During the past two years a sort of competition has been 
going on among the milk producers of the township to see who 
can maintain the highest standard. Monthly examinations of 
samples are carried out by the city bacteriologist and the 
results and grades of the milk are published in the Middletown 
Press so that the public may know which dealer is the safest 
to patronize. 
The Milk Inspector of the city makes regular inspection 
tours to the dairy farms which he grades according to the 
accepted scale. The reports of his inspections are filed 
with the City Clerk and are also published in the Middletown 
Pres s • 
The list of tuberculin tested herds which supply 
Middletown with milk is as follows: - EQUIPMENT. 
SCORE. 
Perfect. Allowed. 
METHODS, 
SCORE. 
Perfect. Allowed. 
COWS. 
Health 6 
Apparently in good health.... 1 
If tested with tuberculin with- 
in a year and no tubercu- 
losis is found, or if tested 
within six months and all 
reacting animals removed. .. 5 
(If tested within a year and re- 
acting animals are found and 
removed, 3.) 1 
Food (clean and wholesome) 1 ■ 
Water (clean and fresh) 1 ..../. 
STABLES. 
Location of stable 2 
Well drained 1 
Free from contaminating sur- 
roundings 1 » 
Construction of stable 4 « 
Tight, sound floor and proper 
gutter 2 
Smooth, tight walls and ceiling 1 
Proper stall, tie and manger.... 1 
Provision for light: Four sq. ft. -a 
of glass per cow 4 .....O 
(Three sq. ft., 3; 2 sq. ft., 2; 
1 sq. ft., 1. Deduct for uneven 
distribution.) _ 
Bedding 1 
Ventilation 7 ...fr».w... 
Provision for fresh air, con- 
trollable flue system 3 
(Windows hinged at bot- 
tom, 1.5; sliding windows, 
1; other openings, 0.5.) 
Cubic feet of space per cow, 
500 ft 3 
(Less than 500 ft., 2; less 
than 400 ft., 1; less than 
300 ft., 0.) 
Provision for controlling tem- 
perature 1 
UTENSILS. 
Construction and condition of 
utensils 1 - 
Water for cleaning 1 ..../ 
(Clean, convenient, and abund- 
ant.) x- 
Small-top milking pail 5 ....P. 
Milk cooler 1 ..../ 
Clean milking suits 1 ...O 
MILK ROOM OR MILK HOUSE. 
Location: Free from contamina- 
ting surroundings 1 t 
Construction of milk room 2 2, 
Floor, walls, and ceiling 1 
Light, ventilation, screens.... 1 
Separate rooms for washing uten- 
sils and handling milk 1 ..../.. 
Facilities for steam 1 0,5).. 
(Hot water, 0.5.) 
Total 40 53.5 
cows. 
Clean 8 ....jf} 
(Free from visible dirt, 6.) 
STABLES. 
Cleanliness of stables 6 ... 
Floor 2 
Walls 1 
Ceiling and ledges 1 
Mangers and partitions 1 
Windows 1 _» 
Stable air at milking time 5 
Freedom from dust 3 
Freedom from odors 2 
Cleanliness of bedding 1 d-D 
Barnyard 2 '"'g'"' 
Clean 1 " 
Well drained 1 
Removal of manure daily to 50 
feet from stable 2 2* 
MILK ROOM OR MILK HOUSE. 
Cleanliness of milk room 3 ...<5..... 
UTENSILS AND MILKING. 
Care and cleanliness of utensils 8 ..5" 
Thoroughly washed 2 
Sterilized in steam for 15 min- 
utes 3 
(Placed over steam jet, or scalded 
with boiling water, 2.) 
Protected from contamination 3 
Cleanliness of milking 9 p 
Clean, dry hands 3 
Udders washed and wiped 6 
(Udders cleaned with moist 
cloth, 4; cleaned with dry cloth or 
brush at least fifteen minutes be- 
fore milking, 1.) 
handling the milk. 
Cleanliness of attendants in milk 
room ' 2 ...Jq> 
Milk removed immediately from 
stable without pouring from pail 2 . 2z 
Cooled immediately after milking 
each cow 2 O 
Cooled below 50° F 5 "jr,' 
(51° to 55°, 4; 56° to 60°, 2.) 
Stored below 50° F 3 2> 
(51° to 55°, 2; 56° to 60°, 1.) 
Transportation below 50° F 2 2* 
(51° to 55°, 1.5; 56° to 60°, 1.) 
(If delivered twice a day, allow 
perfect score for storage and trans- 
portation.) 
Total 60 
Equipment.... 33 *5 Methods- 4-4,578 Final Score. 
Note 1.-If any exceptionally filthy condition is found, particularly dirty utensils, the total score may 
be further limited. 
Note 2.-If the water is exposed to dangerous contamination, or there is evidence of the presence of a 
dangerous disease in animals or attendants, the score shall be 0. BOARD OF HEALTH 
SANITARY INSPECTION OF DAIRY FARMS. 
SCORE CARD. 
Owner or lessee of farm 
P. 0. address 
Total number of cowsjLiNumber milkingi.l 
Gallons of milk produced daily 
Product is sold by producer in families, hMtels, restaurants, stores, 
to ... ... ... dealer. 
For milk supply of 
Permit NoDate of inspection, 19 
Remarks: 
fV? </xx 
... 
r 
( Signed) 
Inspector 
Indorsed by the Official Dairy Instructors' Association. 
Hobbs a Warren publishers boston Form 440-2 82. 
Officially Tub erculin Tested 
C. M. Bacon 22 head 
P. A. Brainard . 10 " 
H. 0. Daniels 33 " 
J. S. Daniels.. 26 " 
C. T. Davis 20 " 
C. J. & M. Harris 29 " 
Wilbur Harris & Son 31 " 
R. Hubbard 27 " 
C. W. Kelsey 14 " 
H. T. Kelsey 10 '• 
Long Lane Farm .25 " 
Oak Grove Dairy 40 " 
C. W. Roberts & Son 20 " 
W. H. Roberts 26 * 
Herds onc e Te st ed wit bout 
Re action. 
vw *■' ie w-.we - 
Pastyka & Josieima 10 head 
Cleveland Stannard 6 ** 
Acc redit ed Herd free from 
T ub er c u 1 o sis 
E. K. Hubbard 5 head Part of the herd at pasture. 
Wilbur Harris & Sons. 
Showing part of the herd and pasture 
of Wilbur Harris & Sons. 83. 
Th© author personally inspected the dairy farm of 
Wilbur H. Harris & Sons, the score card of which is 
presented herewith. This farm was found to be managed 
in a very satisfactory manner. 
The cows were tuberculin tested, with no reactions. 
They were well fed, clean, and kept in clean surroundings 
and watered with pure clean water. 
The cow barn is located underneath the hay barn on 
the south-east corner of the building. The stall floor is 
of tightly matched oak plank. The aisles and gutters are 
of concrete. There are individual mangers and stanchions 
but no effort is made to divide the barn into separate stalls. 
There is only about four square feet of light per cow, as 
nearly as could be calculated. The windows are hinged at 
the bottom and open outward. There is no means by which the 
temperature can be regulated. The bedding, which the author 
saw in the barn, was none too clean at the time. 
The milking here is done by hand and the milk pails are 
of the small-mouthed variety. As soon as each cow is milked 
the milk is immediately transferred to the storage house 
where it is poured into large cans which are kept cool by 
running water. This storage room is concrete with white- 
washed walls and ceilings. It is well screened and no flies w 
were seen inside. The dairy barn. Wilbur Harris & Sons. 
Manure shed. Wilbur Harris i Sons, 84. 
After milking, the utensils are taken to the house 
where they are carefully washed and scalded with boiling 
water. At the time of the author's visit, they were being 
dried in the sunlight on a rack built for that purpose. 
The manure is removed from the cow barn twice daily. 
It is loaded on an overhead cable car and dumped into a 
concrete pit fifty feet away from the barn. This pit was 
covered by a roof but was open on all four sides. 
The barnyard was immaculately clean; no refuse of any 
sort was seen anywhere. There were relatively few flies 
around. 
At milking time the attendants wear clean white suits 
and wash their hands thoroughly before they milk each cow. 
They wipe off each cow's udder with a damp cloth before milking. 
The milk, after being cooled, is shipped twice a day 
by motor truck to the Millbrook Dairy in the city about a 
few minutes run from the farm. Here the milk is pasteurized 
and bottled and delivered to the consumer. 
Around Middletown there is but one farm which produces 
certified milk, that of H. 0. Daniels. Since the farm is some 
distance from the city it was not inspected. 
Among the many retail dairies in Middletown the most 
up-to-date is the Millbrook Dairy. Milk is received here from The Millbrook 
Dairy Company 
MIDDLETOWN, 
CONNECTICUT 
DEPENDABILITY 
HIGH GRADE PRODUCTS 
THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE 
THE PEOPLE OF MIDDLETOWN AND 
VICINITY MAY WELL TAKE PRIDE IN 
THIS MODERN DAIRY PLANT, SPLENDIDLY 
EQUIPPED FOR REAL PUBLIC SERVICE 
LOCATED CORNER OF BROAD 
AND WILLIAM STREETS 
REAR VIEW OF NEW BUILDING OF THE MILLBROOK DAIRY COMPANY 
SHOWING CORNER OF GARAGE MILK ROOM 
HERE THE MHK IS CLARIFIED, PASTEURIZED, AND BOTTLED BY AUTOMATIC MACHINERY. 
IT IS THEN PLACED IN REFRIGERATING ROOMS TO AWAIT DELIVERY 
PART OF THE HAZENHURST HERD OF TUBERCULIN-TESTED GUERNSEY COWS. TABLE 
CREAM FOR MIDDLETOWN HOMES IS SUPPLIED BY THIS HERD. 
NUMBERING NEARLY ONE HUNDRED HEAD 85. 
the various producers in the neighborhood of Middletown, 
the largest one being the Hazenhurst Farm, which has a herd 
of sixty-seven tuberculin tested cows. 
Millbrook Dairy now receives milk only from herds which 
have been tested for tuberculosis by state officials. It 
is unique in this respect since it is the only dairy in the 
state that has this requirement. 
All the pasteurized milk used in Middletown is produced 
by Millbrook Dairy. This consistutes about one-half of all 
the milk consumed in the city. 
The local producers bring their milk to Millbrook Dairy 
in Millbrook's cans. First it is strained into a large tank 
on the weighing platform, weighed, and then it flows into a 
large covered collecting tank. From this tank it is pumped 
to the milk room and run through a clarifier. From the clari 
fier it flows by gravity into the pasteurizing tanks. The 
milk then is heated to 130° F. for 30 minutes and then run 
over a set of cooling coils under cover and collected in a 
tank from which it is strained once more and bottled . From 
the time the milk is received at the dairy till it reaches 
the consumer it is not exposed to cont amination of any kind. 
At this dairy the cans are washed by revolving machinery 
and are sterilized with live steam. The milk bottles are 
treated the same way. SECTION OF ICE CREAM MIXING ROOM, WHERE THE INGREDIENTS 
ARE PASTEURIZED AND RIPENED, PREPARATORY TO FREEZING 
FREEZING ROOM: THE ICE CREAM MATERIALS FLOW BY GRAVITY FROM THE MIXING 
ROOM TO THE FREEZERS SHOWN IN THE CENTER BACKGROUND. AFTER FREEZING BY THE 
BRINE PROCESS IT IS STORED IN HARDENING ROOMS, THE DOORS TO 
WHICH ARE SHOWN AT THE LEFT. 86. 
The ice-cream plant is a modern one. All the 
ingredients of the ice-cream with the exception of the 
flavors are pasteurized. The same care is observed here 
as in the handling of the milk. 
The only objectionable feature noted, that was in no 
way the fault of the owners, was that there were no screens 
on the windows. This was due to the fact that the contractor 
had not provided the proper type and new screens are on order 
and will be put on as soon as they arrive. When this feature 
is attended to the Millbrook Dairy will be a model of its 
kind. 
PACKING ROOM: FROM THE HARDENING ROOMS THE ICE CREAM PASSES TO THIS ROOM 
WHERE IT IS PACKED IN TUBS FOR DELIVERY. SALT AND ICE ARE SUPPLIED BY 
CHUTES FROM STORE ROOMS ABOVE 87. 
Bact eria 
below 
10,000 
per 
c .c . 
indicates 
milk 
of 
very good 
quality 
Bacteria 
from 
10,000 
to 
50,000 
it 
ii 
H 
it 
it 
good 
ti 
N 
ii 
50,000 
ii 
100,000 
it 
ii 
n 
ii 
it 
f air 
it 
II 
ii 
100,000 
it 
500,000 
ti 
ii 
ii 
ii 
ti 
unsatisfactory 
ii 
II 
it 
500,000 
ti 
1,000,000 
ii 
ii 
ii 
ii 
ii 
bad 
ii 
II 
over 
1,000,000 
it 
ii 
ti 
ii 
ii 
very bad 
it 
Milk must show 3.25 per cent fat to be up to Legal Standard. 
When milk contains over 500,000 per c .c. it indicates that conditions are 
unsatisfactory and should be inspected. The milk is usually produced under unsani- 
tary conditions, or is too warm or has been kept too long. 
In reporting dirt by percentage an arbitrary scale is used in which 100j£ clean 
indicates no dirt. Milk drawn and shipped under clean conditions should not grade 
below 90%. 
The General Grade is determined by combining the figures for bacteria, fat, 
refractometer, and dirt, 100 being a perfect score, in which the fat is or 
above, the bacteria below 5000, the refractometer 37.5 or above and the cleanliness 
100#. 
Report on Milk Analysis 
By Dr. Jessie W. Fisher, City Bacteriologist. 88. 
Name 
Number of 
bacteria 
per c.c• 
u 
o 
Q. 
CD 
at 
<n 
© 
fl 
fl 
© 
© 
o 
General 
Grade. 
1 
Valentine Zick 
39,000 
3.9 
1029 
90 
874 
M. Shapiro 
430,000 
2.6 
1031 
95 
67 
W. B. Gordon 
11,000 
4 .0 
1028 
80 
90 
Fred Clarke 
40,000 
3 .3 
1027 
95 
91 
J. W. Stueck 
220,000 
3.5 
1028 
90 
82 
Park Lunch 
450,000 
4.4 
1029 
95 
80 
Palm Rest 
56,000 
3.9 
1030 
98 
88 
Nenilles 
11,000 
4.5 
1031 
85 
90 
Jake Rimmemear 
75,000 
3 .6 
1029 
95 
87 
Clarendon Hotel 
10,000 
3.7 
1030 
98 
95 
A. E. Hakl 
160,000 
3 .7 
1031 
90 
82 
Peisner*s Drug 
40,000 
4.8 
1030 
90 
90 
Harwell & French 
17,000 
3 .0 
1027 
98 
89 
H. B. Lunch 
62,000 
4.1 
1030 
95 
88 
Buell & Blatchley 
111,000 
2.8 
1028 
90 
80 
Pop Sheinden 
23,000 
3.8 
1027 
93 
93 
Fred White 
40,000 
3.6 
1030 
98 
89 
John Cronin 
35,000 
3.5 
1029 
98 
89 
J. W, Stueck (cream) 
C. Wermer strom 
21,000 
3.7 
1028 
90 
90 
Middlesex Hospital 
71,000 
3.3 
1029 
95 
85 
A. N. Pierson, Night 
43,000 
4.0 
1031 
85 
87 
Millbrook Past. 
20,000 
3.4 
1028 
90 
88 
Walter Roberts 
54,000 
3.2 
1028 
85 
81 
Myron Harris 
180,000 
3.3 
1028 
90 
80 
Robert Hubbard 
77,000 
3.4 
1028 
90 
81 
C. W. Kelsey 
338,000 
3.3 
1030 
95 
78 
E. C. Roberts 
40,000 
3.6 
1030 
90 
83 
A. N. Pierson, A. M. 
30,000 
3.6 
1028 
98 
91 
H. T. Kelsey 
80,000 
3.5 
1028 
90 
83 
Wilbur Harris 
107,000 
3.9 
1028 
98 
81 
A. Harris 
440,000 
3 .4 
1027 
95 
68 
J. E. Daniels 
77,000 
3.3 
1028 
98 
84 
E. W. H az en 
78,000 
4.3 
1030 
98 
88 
C. M. Bacon 
90,000 
3.2 
1028 
98 
84 
C. J. Hubbard 
65,000 
3.6 
1030 
98 
88 
E. W. Hazen (cream) 
41£ CHAPTER VII 
SANITARY NUISANCES 39. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 74 
Sidewalks to be cleared of Snow and Ice. 
The owner or owners, occupant or occupants, 
corporation, or any person having the care of any building 
or lot of land bordering on any street, square, or public 
place, within the city, where there is a sidewalk graded or 
graded and paved, shall remove or cause to be removed, from 
said sidewalk any and all snow, sleet and ice, that can be 
removed, within the six hours of daylight immediately following 
the cessation of any fall of snow or accumulation of sleet or 
ice thereon, so that the passing upon such sidewalk shall not 
be obstructed, dangerous, or inconvenient, and every hour of 
neglect to remove snow and ice, in accordance with the provisions 
of this ordinance, after notice to do so from the street 
commissioner or by any policeman, shall constitute a separate 
offense. 90. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 119 
Certain Misdemeanors Injurious to Health. 
The following acts shall be deemed misdemeanors, viz: 
(1) The keeping, or maintaining, or using any privy in 
this city in such a manner as to be unwholesome or offensive to 
any person, or injurious to health, or offensive to the public. 
(2) The keeping of swine in any sty or pen, or other place 
in this city by any person within five rods of any street or 
highway or within thirty rods of any dwelling house, store or 
shop other than his own, or in such manner as to become unwhole- 
some or offensive to any persons. 
(3) The casting of filth of any kind in or upon any street, 
sidewalk, highway, private way, green or park in this city. 
(4) The casting or throwing of any butchers' offal or 
garbage, or any dead animal, or any putrid or stinking animal 
or vegetable matter, directly into, or where it may get into any 
street, sewer, receiving basin or into any river, any standing 
or running water, or upon any ground or premises in the built-up 
portions of the city. 
(5) The carrying of any pail or vessel of swill on or 
along any sidewalk in said city. 
(6) The suffering of any dung, filth, manure, offal wash, 
dirty water, brine, or any rubbish to accumulate in any building, 91. 
yard, out-house or enclosure, so as to be offensive. 
(7) The maintaining or using of any privy or necessary 
house now set up or that shall hereafter be set up, without 
having under it a vault made and sunk in the earth to the depth 
of six feet and of the length and width of said privy or such 
tight boxes as shall be approved by the city health officer, or 
unless the contents of said privy shall be carried off by such 
suitable drain as shall be approved by said health officer. 
(8) The dressing or cleaning of fish in any public place 
in said city, except in such places as may be designated by the 
chief of police. 
(9) The construction of, keeping, maintaining or using any 
privy, privy vault or cess-pool, on premises where connection 
can be made with public sewer. 
(10) Permitting wash or dirty water to pass from yards or 
houses into the streets or to be thrown into the streets. 
(11) The obstruction or altering the course of any stream 
or run of water in said city. 
(12) Every person who shall do any of said acts, in this 
section of the ordinances defined as misdemeanors, or aid and 
assist therein, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one 
hundred dollars for each offense. 92. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 120 
Certain Kinds of Business Prohibted and Regulated. 
kny person who shall, without permission of the 
common council, build or set up, within the limits of this city, 
any kiln or furnace for burning or baking any stone or earthenware, 
or other pottery, brick or tile, or any distillery, or shall build, 
or assist in building any fire in any such kiln or furnace, or 
distillery, or shall engage in the manufacture or refining of 
kerosene or other oil, or set up and use any gas house or gas 
manufactory or erect or use any blacksmith shop, or any building 
for making or boiling varnish, or for boiling soap, or for 
rendering or storing green hides or skins, or for any similar 
purpose, or keep or suffer to be kept in any building or place 
in this city, any guano or other land fertilizer, os shall use 
any building or lot of ground for vinegar-yard, or shall engage 
in any business which shall be prejudicial to the public health, 
without such permission, shall be punished by a fine not 
exceeding fifty dollars, and further fine not exceeding one 
hundred dollars for every week the same shall be so used or 
continued. 93. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 122 
Slaughter Houses 
Any person who shall, without permission of the 
common council, occupy or improve any building or other place 
in the city as a slaughter house or place to slaughter animals, 
or who shall neglect to wash and thoroughly cleanse such 
slaughter houses once each and every day the same shall be 
occupied, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one 
hundred dollars for each day said building or place shall be 
so used or remain uncleaned. 94. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 123 
Manure and Compost Nuisances 
The keeping or allowing of any quantity of manure 
or compost within thirty feet of any street, highway, walk, or 
dwelling house, shall be demmed a misdemeanor; and any person 
or persons who shall violate any of the provisions of this 
section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred 
dollars, and after conviction thereof, a further fine of two 
dollars for each day's neglect to remove the same after written 
notice to do so from the city health officer. 95. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 124 
Pollution of Streams Prohibited 
No person or persons shall, within the limits of 
said city, discharge, deposit, or place in any river or stream 
in said city, any rubbish, stone, clam or oyster shells, bones, 
refuse, iron, oil or tar, or any other substance which may tend 
to obstruct or fill up the same; or leave or place any putrid 
fish, clams or oysters, or any animal or vegetable substance 
likely or liable to putrefy in or upon the shore or margin of 
said rivers or streams or in the waters thereof, or discharge 
or place in the same any acid or other obnoxious substance 
likely to kill fish; or drown any dog or cat, or other animal, 
therein, under a penalty not to exceed one hundred dollars for 
each and every offense. And it shall be the duty of the city 
health officer to report to the prosecuting attorney for 
prosecution all breaches of this ordinance that shall come to 
his knowledge. 96. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 125 
Lard, Rendering, etc. 
All persons engaged in the business of boiling or 
rendering fat, lard, or animal matter, shall cause the scrap 
or residuum to be so dried or otherwise prepared as to 
effectually deprive such material of all offensive odors, and 
to preserve the same entirely inoffensive immediately after 
the removal thereof from the receptacles in which the 
rendering process may be conducted. Any person violating the 
provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine not 
to exceed one hundred dollars. 97 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 126 
Removal of Night-Soil 
Any person v/ho shall remove, or cause to be removed, 
without permission of the city health officer, the contents of 
any privy or necessary house, vault or box, except in the night 
season, and in tight box, between the hours of eleven o'clock 
in the evening and five o'clock in the morning, and between the 
first day of November and the first day of April, or shall 
deposit the contents of any privy, vault or box, within the 
limits of this city, or shall cause or allow any vehicle or 
night-soil cart to be within the limits of said city, except 
during the times and seasons mentioned in this section for the 
removal of night-soil, shall be punished by a fine not to 
exceed one hundred dollars. 98. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 127 
Water Closets to be Provided 
The owner of every building situated in the City 
of Middletown and occupied for a dwelling, for a store, or 
for offices, who shall not, within thirty days after notifi- 
cation so to do by the health officer of the City of Middle- 
town, provide what are, in the opinion of said health officer, 
suitable and convenient water closet accomodations for the 
occupants of the same, shall be fined not to exceed twenty- 
five dollars for each week after the expiration of said thirty 
days' notice, that he shall neglect or refuse to provide such 
water closet accomodation. 99. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 128 
Drainage and Plumbing Regulations 
When the city health officer finds that the plumbing 
or drainage of any dwelling or habitation in this city is defective 
and dangerous to health or life, the owner or agent having the 
property in charge shall have placed, within a reasonable time, 
proper traps under any sink basin and other fixture, and shall 
have each soil-pipe carried through the roof, to such a height as 
the city health officer shall order, not less than two feet, and 
of undiminished size wherever practicable, and if this cannot be 
accomplished, said city health officer shall order such efficient 
ventilation and such repair of soil-pipes as shall in his judgment 
prevent pollution of the premises by sewer gas. The city health 
officer shall have authority to order the removal of the woodwork 
under any sink in any house and any woodwork enclosing plumbing 
pipes and fixtures. All drain and soil-pipes located within any 
building shall be of iron and of such thickness and so connected 
as the city health officer shall determine. Any person violating 
the provision of this ordinance shall be fined not to exceed one 
hundred dollars, and every week, after a reasonable time, of 
failure to complynwith the order of the city health officer shall 
constitute a separate offense. 100. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 129 
Times for Cleaning Filthy Places, 
All alleys, back yards, stables, privy-vaults, 
cess-pools and other filthy places shall be Efficiently 
cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals as prescribed 
from time to time by the city health officer. 101. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 142 
Stagnant Water and Drain Nuisance 
¥/hen any ground in this city shall be so situated that 
water shall become stagnant thereon, thereby endangering the 
public health, the same shall be deemed a nuisance, and may be 
abated by draining or filling up, or when a private drain is so 
located or constructed as to endanger public health, the same 
shall be deemed a nuisance and may be abated by repairing, relaying 
or discontinuing and a new sewer connection made for property; and 
the common council may order the same to be done within such time 
as it shall think proper, notice of which shall be given to the 
owner or owners, occupaitor occupants, at his or their place of 
abode. In case said order shall not be complied with within the 
time specified in said notice, said party or parties so neglecting 
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding thirty dollars, and a 
further fine of two dollars each day thereafter until such 
nuisance shall have been abated. And the committee on health and 
nuisance or any two of them, may cause said nuisance to be abated, 
and the costs of the same shall be assessed by said common council 
upon the person or persons so neglecting to comply with said order, 
and may be collected of said person or persons, by an action of 
debt or other proper action in name of the city provided that, if 
the common council shall deem it just and proper, they may order 
any portion of said expense to be paid out of the city treasury. 102. 
REPORT OF THE HEALTH AND NUISANCE COMMITTEE 1920 
To His Honor the Mayor and the Common Council of the City of 
Middletown: 
The chief work of the Health and Nuisance committee for 
the year 1920 has been directed towards improving conditions in the 
city regarding the sale of milk and meat and all kinds of foodstuffs. 
With this in mind the committee early in the year, with the coopera- 
tion of the Middletown Press, commenced the publication of a monthly 
report of the tests made at the city laboratory at the Middlesex 
Hospital of all samples of milk collected by the milk inspector. 
The results of these tests could thus be seen by all consumers and 
there is no question but that it has helped to improve the quality 
of milk sold in this city, as the realization that the reprt on 
their milk was to be made public causes the milk dealers to be 
anxious to make a good showing. 
A regular system of dairy inspections was also deemed 
advisable by the committee in connection with the work of the 
milk inspector, as it was realized that by this means the source 
of any trouble with the milk could be followed to its original 
source. 
A total of 54 inspections of dairies supplying milk to 
the city have been made by the milk inspector. The reports made 
include the condition of the cows, and of the walls, floors, and 
ceilings of the stables, and the general cleanliness of the stables 103. 
and utensils, as well as the methods of sterilization, the 
ventilation, and the distance of manure from the stable. Instruc- 
tions were given to make changes where they were deemed necessary. 
The reports of these inspections are now made on cards, and are 
filed at the city clerk's office. 
The committee likewise drafted an ordinance creating 
the office of instpector of meat and foodstuffs, which was adopted 
by a unanimous vote of the Council. Mayor Connery appointed 
Dr. E. M. Bitgood to the office. During the six months that the 
meat inspector has been at work, a total of 1336 animals were 
inspected. Of this number 13 carcasses of beef were condemned, 
as well as seven quarters of beef, two livers, three cattle, 
three veal, and three chickens. Tuberculosis was found in 56 
sets of lungs. Seven cows were ordered into quarantine. It can be 
seen from this report that much diseased meat, which would other- 
wise have been sold to the people of Middletown, has been condemned, 
and in all probability much sickness prevented as a result. Only 
meat that has not been inspected by a federal officer is inspected. 
All meat inspected and passed is stamped by the inspector. 
The committee has also had the matter of a public market 
under consideration and has taken it up with the Middlesex County 
Earm Bureau. We trust that the new committee will take some action 
as soon as the season opens. 
Charles A. Anderson, 
Henry C. Umba, 
Sheldon S. Campbell. 104. 
REPORT OF THE HEALTH AND NUISANCE COMMITTEE 1921 
To His Honor the Mayor and the Common Council of the 
City of Middletown: 
The work of this committee has been light this year. 
The wisdom of the adoption of the ordinance compelling inspection 
of all meat sold in the city is shown by the report of the meat 
and food inspector. A total of 2,040 inspections were made. 
Tuberculosis was found in 110 lungs, seven carcasses were 
condemned and one chicken. There were twelve cows and ten pigs 
placed in quarantine. Out of 228 cows tested, a total of 112 
shovzed a reaction. The milk inspector visited 22 dairies supply- 
ing the city with milk during the year. The milk inspector's 
report has been published each month in the Middletown Press, 
and the committee desires to extend its thanks to the Press for 
this service rendered the public. The office of meat inspector 
has been more than self sustaining during the year, and a total 
of |1,154 in fees being collected. The committee recommends that 
the matter of establishing a public slaughter house be investigated 
during the coming year and some action taken. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Charles A. Anderson, 
A. E. Holmes, 
John A. Simons, 
Committee on Health and Nuisance, 105. 
Sources of Odors; 
Ab a whole Middletown is relatively free from sources 
of odors. However, there are several nuisances of this form 
to be mentioned. 
In the first place the city dump in the southern part 
of the city is worthy of mention. All the refuse and 
garbage of the city is dumped here and allowed to dry out 
and then is occasionally turned over. In summer, when the 
wind is just right, the odor from this dump is wafted 
towards the Middlesex Hospital, and the residential portion 
of the city adjacent thereto. 
The sewage disposal plant on Catherine Street is at 
present very distinctly a source of odor. At the time of 
inspection, there was a slight leak at this plant and the 
stench emanating therefrom was bitterly complained of by 
the inhabitants nearby. Arrangements have been made to 
correct this defect and no doubt it will cease to be a 
source of annoyance in the future. 
In the City of Portland, across the Connecticut River 
from Middletown, there is a fertilizer plant which is the 
source of much annoyance when the wind is just right. 
At times the odor from the decomposing fish scraps, meat 
scraps, bones, etc,, which are used at the factory, is 
absolutely nauseating. However, nothing but a legal tangle 106. 
could prevent this, since it is outside the limits of 
Middletown. 
Dust: 
As a nuisance within the city limits, dust can hardly 
be considered. The streets are well paved, and the utmost 
care is taken of them by the street sweeping and washing 
system which is in vogue. The main street and several of 
the other more important streets are swept and watered twice 
daily throughout the dry season. 
R ub b i sh and Gen er al Clean li na a s. Empty Lots. Dumps; 
Rubbish and garbage are collected together, consequently 
what has been said of the garbage is equally applicable here. 
Naturally enough, in the residential section of Middletown 
little rubbish is seen, but near the water-front it is found 
in abundance. 
On the streets leading from Main Street to Water Street 
are found the markets and produce shops. Evidence of care- 
lessness is noted in this vicinity by the condition of the 
gutters and alley-ways. From these sources comes much of 
the dirt which is cleaned up on Main Street. 107. 
Near the water-front are many vacant lots which are 
overgrown with weeds and abound with rubbish of all kinds. 
The authorities make an effort to keep these places as 
neat as possible. However, a more co-operative spirit must 
be developed among the merchants and the foreign-born 
elements before these places can be entirely done away with. 
In the month of May each year a "Clean-Up Week" is 
held in an effort to promote civic pride and to put the 
township in order for the summer months. This is proving 
to be very beneficial since a marked improvement over the 
past is already noticeable by the residents of the city. 
No criticism can be made of the residential section of 
Middletown since everything is in perfect order and the 
people take great pride in the appearance of their estates. 
On the contrary much work is yet needed to put the tenement 
and market district in order. To the author's mind there 
is no good reason why this, the water-front of the city, 
could not be made very neat and attractive. 
File s; 
In Middletown flies are a distinct nuisance, due, 
no doubt, to the close proximity of the main dump to the 
heart of the city. This dump is fairly seething with flies 108. 
of all kinds during the summer months. It is small wonder 
that despite the most careful screening measures, 
restaurants, soda fountains and market places are fairly 
seething with them all the time. 
It would take but little money and effort to eradicate 
this nuisance entirely. All that is needed is a public 
incinerator to take the place of open dumps. 
Rats and Vermin; 
Due to few fine breeding places furnished by the 
water-front and the dumps, rats seem to be content to 
remain there and do not infest the buildings of the town 
proper. No complaints as far as rats go could be elicited 
from the residents or market owners. Nevertheless, they 
are a potential nuisance and steps to prevent their invad- 
ing the town should be taken now. 
Stables and Manure; 
Like all urban - suburban places, Middletown has its 
quota of stables. It is gratifying to note that they are 
well kept and that the manure is removed systematically 109. 
and thus fails to become a factor as a nuisance. 
Mosquitoes; 
In and about the town there are numerous mosquito 
breeding places. The dump at Sumner Creek as well as 
being the chief incubator for flies, also plays a big 
role in furnishing the surrounding countryside with its 
quota of mosquitoes. In mid-summer, when the water in 
the creek is low it is absolutely an ideal incubating place. 
However, care has been taken in most places to oil 
the stagnant pools and prevent the spread of mosquitoes. 
That results have been obtained is evidenced by the marked 
decrease in malaria which was at one time very prevalent 
in this vicinity. 
A mosquito-braading place. 110. 
Smoke; 
As a disturbing factor in the life of the community, 
smoke plays the least significant role. Except for a 
moderate amount coming from the industrial plants on the 
outskirts and a normal amount from the infrequent railroad 
trains, no smoke is in evidence. 
Noi sej. 
No unnecessary noise was found in Middletown. 
Although the Iron Foundries make a considerable din, it is 
quite impossible to control it without discontinuing the 
business. 
The other factories are removed from the residential 
and commercial sections of the city and consequently 
disturb the peace to little or no extent. Barring a few 
noon hour whistles from the factories, a few toots from 
river boats and an occasional train whistle, there is little 
noise to disturb the countryside. 
P igg eri es: 
No piggeries are permitted within the limits of the 
city. There are a few well kept ones in the outlying parts 
of the town. They in no way constitute a nuisance. CHAPTERS VIII & IX 
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND HOUSING 111 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 134 
Size of Sleeping Rooms 
The occupying of any sleeping room in said city 
9 
for the purpose of sleeping at night, in which there shall be 
more than one person for each 300 cubic feet of space is 
hereby prohibited, and any person who shall occupy any room 
contrary to the foregoing provision, or shall let or permit 
the same to be so occupied, shall be fined as hereinafter 
provided. 112. 
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND HOUSING 
From the list of industries mentioned in the introduction 
it is evident that Middletown has a large variety. Many of 
the factories are situated in the city, while ©there are nut 
on the outskirts of the town. 
Among the plants visited by the author were The Noiseless 
Typewriter Company, Fox Becker Granite Company, Goodyear 
Rubber Company, Forest City Laundry, Middletown Silver Company, 
and Pelton & King Printery. In every instance there was 
adequate sunshine and fresh air and comparative freedom from 
dust and chemical fumes. 
The Noiseless Typewriter Company is a model of what 
a modern manufacturing plant should be. The lighting and 
ventilation is superb, in fact everything possible is done 
for the health and comfort of the employees. 
For the most part the housing conditions of the city and 
town are above reproach with one exception, namely, that 
portion of the city which lies between the main street and 
the water-front. It is here that the majority of the foreign 
born population resides and here only does one find tenement 
houses . 
Overcrowding and filth are all too apparent in this small 
section of the city. Although none of the tenements are over 113. 
three stories high with adequate circulation of air and 
sunshine between, there is inadequate room for so many 
inhabitants in such a small area. 
The author inspected one of the worst looking of these 
houses. A family of ten people was found living in three rooms. 
The blinds were drawn, excluding the sunlight. There were 
no screens on the windows and flies abounded. Rubbish was in 
every corner of the hallways. Below, in a little two by four 
yard, there was a single tumbledown privy to serve the needs 
of the whole building. In the yard, which was filthy, ten 
small children played, with as many cats and twice as many 
chickens. 
It would seem that this deplorable condition might be 
alleviated or entirely obviated by constructing in the place 
of these tumbledown wooden buildings apartment blocks of 
fireproof construction and simple design which would be 
adequate for the needs of these people and still not be pro- 
hibitive in price. This end of the city is the only out- 
standing blot on the escutcheon of Middletown. By improving 
it, the city beautiful could be closely approached. 
Public Buildings. Ventilation, Fire-Escapes: - 
The Grand Theatre was taken as a sample of public building. 
This theatre is equipped with a simple and effective ventilating 114. 
system consisting of a large blower fan driven by an electric 
motor with a rheostat attachment. Air is drawn in through the 
many exits of the theatre and blown out through this fan which 
is placed on the north wall of the theatre just below the 
gable of the roof. By means of the rheostat the speed of the 
blower can be regulated and temperature and freshness of the 
air with it. 
The theatre is also equipped with modern fire-escapes 
adequate to handle the maximum number of patrons and comply- 
ing with the laws. CHAPTER X 
INFECTIOUS DISEASES 115. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 130 
Householders to report Contagious Diseases 
Every householder in whose house any person shall be 
ill with any of the following diseases, to wit: Cholera, yellow 
fever, typhus fever, leprosy, small-pox, diphtheria, membranous 
croup, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, cerebrospinal fever, 
whooping cough, measles, pulmonary tuberculosis (consumption), 
or other contagious or infectious disease, except those of a 
venereal nature, shall report the same to the city health 
officer within twelve hours of the first appearance of such 
disease, provided no physician shall be in attendance. 116. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 131 
Change of Residence from Infected Dwellings Regulated 
Until permission has been received from the city 
health officer no clothing or other property that may have 
been exposed to the infection of cholera, yellow fever, 
typhus fever, leprosy, small-pox, diphtheria, membranous croup, 
or scarlet fever, shall be removed from the house nor shall 
any occupant of any dwelling exposed to infection from said 
diseases change his residence without the consent of city 
health officer. 117. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 132 
Attendance at School Prohibited 
No superintendent, principal, or teacher of any school, 
and no parent or guardian of any child attending school shall 
permit a child sick with small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, 
chicken pox, membranous croup, measles, whooping cough, mumps, 
consumption, sore throat, scalbes (itch), or child afflicted 
with lice, to attend school. Nor shal} any child residing in 
any household in which such disease shall exist or any child 
afflicted with a rash or any eruption be allowed to attend 
school without a written permit from the city health officer. 118. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 133 
Traveling in Public Conveyances Prohibited 
No person affected with small-pox, diphtheria, 
membraneous croup, scarlet fever, whooping cough, or measles, 
shall attend any public meeting or assembly, or travel in any 
public conveyance. 119. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 135 
Warnings of Contagious Diseases to be Posted 
Warning of the existence of diphtheria, membraneous 
croup, typhus fever, primary cases of measles, small-pox, or 
scarlet fever in any building shall be given to the public by 
placing in a place conspicuous to the public, on the outside 
near each common entrance to said building a placard giving 
the name of said disease. 120. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 136 
Quarantine 
All cases of diphtheria, membraneous croup, typhus 
fever, small-pox, scarlet fever, and primary cases of measles, 
shall be quarantined in such manner as the city health officer 
may direct, and when any malignant or contagious disease shall 
exist in any house, the owner, occupant, or person in charge 
of said house shall carry out such quarantine and shall disinfect 
the premises at such times, and in such manner as the city health 
officer shall order. Clothing, furniture, school books, library 
books, etc., must not be removed from the quarantined premises 
until thoroughly disinfected, and no person shall enter or 
leave quarantined premises, unless permitted to do so by the 
city health officer. 121. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 137 
Disinfection 
All necessary disinfection shall be done under the 
supervision of the city health officer. 122. 
Ordinances of the City of Middletown 
Section 138 
Convalescence or Death to be Reported 
As soon as a patient who has been ill with a 
contagious disease is convalescent, the city health officer 
shall be notified by the attending physician, and in case 
of death, by the undertaker or person in charge of the body. 123. 
INFECTIOUS DI.SEASJSS v . 
Reportable Diseases: - 
All infectious diseases are reportable to the Health 
Officer, namely, measles, German measles, mumps, whooping 
cough, chicken pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, pneumonia, 
meningitis, encephalitis, tuberculosis, influenza, typhoid 
fever, cholera, dysentery, typhus fever, malaria, rabies, 
syphilis, gonorrhoea, plague, leprosy, glanders and actino- 
mycosis. The reporting of the above diseases is not very 
well carried out. In the case of the social diseases it is 
done hardly at all. 
Quarantine: 
The Health Officer makes all inspections on reported 
cases of infectious diseases. No strict quarantine regulations 
are enforced unless in his opinion the person is a danger 
to the community. For the ordinary children's diseases the 
house is placarded and instructions are given the family 
as to the technique to use to prevent the spread in the house. 
Small pox is the only disease that is kept in strict quarantine. 124. 
Di sinf ect ion; 
Up to the past few years houses were fumigated after 
infectious diseases with formaldehyde. Now, however, the 
Health Officer gets in the good graces of the people and 
explains the value of whitewashing, boiling, sunshine and 
fresh air. No fumigation is used today. 
Control of Spread of Tuberculosis: 
No special efforts are made to control the spread of 
tuberculosis. The cases are reported immediately to the 
State Health Department. Treatment is carried out at home 
or the patients are sent to sanatoria. There is no tubercu- 
losis hospital in the town. 
Machinery for Combatting Epidemics: 
No permanent machinery is maintained to combat epidemics. 
There is, however, a District Nursing Association of superb 
quality and an active Red Cross Association in the town which 
can be called into use on very short notice. 125. 
Venereal Diseases: 
These diseases are supposed to be reported. It is 
unfortunately the case, however, that they are rather winked 
at by the local profession. On the other hand, the State 
Health Department conducts campaigns directed against them 
and sends around lecturers to the various communities. The 
State also supplies arsphenamine for the treatment of syphilis. CHAPTER XI 
SCHOOLS 126. 
TOWN SCHOOLS 
The Town of Middletown has eight schools with a total 
of thirty rooms. Some of these school buildings are modern, but 
for the most part they are not equipped with modern toilets by 
reason of the fact that there are no sewage pipes nearby. 
The lighting, ventilation, and heating equipment in all 
of the schoolhouses is adequate. There is also adequate play- 
ground around each schoolhouse. Improvements in equipment are 
made yearly and on the whole these schools are in very good shape 
from a sanitary standpoint. 
The school system of the Town is separate and distinct 
from that of the City. The Town has its own school physician who 
examines the pupils physically and as to their eyes. 
CITY SCHOOLS 
The City schools are four in number including a high 
school to which the Town children also go. The buildings are 
modern and of stone or brick construction. 
The Central School which we inspected is a large brick 
building. All the rooms are outside rooms and are well ventilated 
and lighted. The toilets are modern, but have no open seats for 
girls. The building is so arranged that one large corridor runs 
the whole length of it on each floor with the rooms on either side. 
There is no provision for cloak rooms, the children's clothes being CENTRAL SCHOOL, COLLEGE STREET (REMODELED 1919) 127. 
hung on hooks on the walls of the corridor. Outside there is a 
fair sized school yard which is now inadequate for the needs of 
the pupils. At this school there has been erected a portable 
wooden building to take care of the overflow of pupils from the 
main building. This building is also well ventilated, heated, and 
lighted, and has adequate toilet facilities. 
In the Central School there is a medical and dental clinic, 
where the school physician, the dentist, and the school nurse have 
their office. The following are reports of all three for the year 
ending in June 1921: 
Report of school physician: 
''Every child in the public school was given a physical 
examination which included an examination of the heart, lungs, and 
teeth. This work was done with the assistance of the school nurse 
and all defects were noted. As has been done in other years, cards 
were sent to parentsand guardians wherever it was discovered that 
medical attention was needed with a request that the matter be 
attended to at once. The school nurse followed up these cases, 
particularly where parents or guardians showed indifference. 
The importance of good physical condition to children 
of school age is well known and every effort has been made to 
make clear to the parents the necessity of attending to physical 
disabilities of the children. 
I suggested a year or two ago that there be a law 
compelling parents whose children suffer from physical defects to 128. 
submit the matter to competent medical authority. 
About a year ago the Board of Education passed a 
9 
resolution to the effect of recommending that all children who 
have not been vaccinated for ten years be so vaccinated before 
attending school. It is proposed to have the school nurse make 
inquiries as to whether this recommendation has been carried out 
and have the facts of vaccination or non-vaccination recorded. 
The details of examinations follows. 
Annual Physical Examination 
Pupils examined 2,144 
Pupils weighed and measured. ... 2,144 
Pupils having defective eyes 79 
Pupils wearing glasses 132 
Pupils having defective teeth 298 
Tonsils 58 
Adenoids 16 
Impaired hearing 8 
Cardiac trouble 10 
Acne 30 
Lame 14 
Hare-lip 4 
Cleft palate 2 
Club foot 3 
Nasal abstruction 5 
Impediment of speech 10 
Additional thumb on left hand 1 
Absence of uvula 1 
Double uvula 1 
Goitre 2 
Blepharitis 1 
Fallen Arches 1 
Nervousness ..... 5 
Anterior bowlegs 1 
Deformity of left arm and shoulder 1 
Curvature of spine 6 
Respectfully submitted, 
A. J. Campbell, M.D., 
School Physician 129. 
REPORT OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 
A special effort was made to have the children come to 
school clean, and in this the medical department was given assistance 
by Dr. T. P. Walsh. 
Pediculosis 90 
Impetigo 80 
Ringworm 10 
Mumps 3 
Pneumonia 10 
Diphtheria 1 
Scarlet fever 2 
Appendicitis 3 
Broken arm 1 
Broken leg 1 
Sties 25 
Dressing and treatments 300 
Skin trouble 3 
Homes visited 600 
Sincerely yours, 
Mary A. Bolan, 
School Nurse. 
REPORT OF DENTAL CLINI3 
Prophylaxis treatments 424 
Oral hygiene talks 167 
Oral hygiene reading lessons ... 55 
Clean tooth posters 25 
Oral hygiene songs 11 
Tooth brush drills 6 
Written lessons 2 
Mouths examined 108 
In addition to this, oral hygiene stories have been read to the 
children and samples of tooth paste have been fiven out to the 
second and third grade children. 
In addition to the work in the regular day schools as above there 
was work done in the summer term at the Central School. This included 
prophylaxis cases and examinations of mouths. 
Very truly, 
Madeline W. Shipton 130. 
SOME THINGS TO BE DONE IN THE FUTURE 
There is the matter of new school accomodations which 
is very pressing. The portable buildings took care of a part of 
the demand, but undoubtedly contributed to an increased attendance 
as it is always the case that new school buildings attract pupils. 
The State Board of Education will establish in Middle- 
town a state trade school for which an appropriation was made by 
the legislature, This school will be under the control of the 
State but it will enable cooperative classes to be handled in 
connection withthe high schools and grades. It will be desirable 
that the citizens assist in financing the buildings required. 
In a former report attention was called to the desirabil- 
ity of appointing a director of athletics and this need is as 
pressing as ever. With the opening of the playground and athletic 
field just south of the city limits, there will be more need than 
ever for directing athletic work with the boys. In addition, the 
needs of the girls and young children generally should not be 
overlooked. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Edward B. Sellen, 
Superintendent of Schools. CHAPTER XII 
MISCELLANEOUS 131. 
MISCELLANEOUS 
Markets; 
Markets, provision stores and soda fountains are 
inspected by a member of the Health and Nuisance Committee 
who receives $1,000 per annum for the office of Food and Meat 
Inspector, and $300 per annum for the office of Milk Inspector. 
On the whole the markets are very clean. No tuberculous or 
other diseased meat is offered for sale in Middletown. 
SIaug hi er Houses; 
There are no public slaughter houses in the town. 
Slaughtering is done privately. There is at present a movement 
on foot to establish a public slaughter house where all 
slaughtering will be done. 
Barber Shops; Hotel kitchens and Restaurants: 
These are inspected at irregular intervals by the Health 
Officer. A casual inspection by the author showed them to be 
run in a cleanly manner. The most objectionable feature found 
was the flies. MIDDLETOWN. CONN.. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LABORATORY 
JESSIE W, FISHER. M. D.. Director 
Report on Milk Analysis. 
Samples received from Sent byCollected at 
Date of Collection Received . Temperature Iced 
Mark or Name No. of Bacteria per c. c. Fat per cent. Refractometer Per cent. Clean General Grade 
See Over] MIDDLETOWN. CONN., DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LABORATORY 
JESSIE W. FISHER. M. D.. Director 
Report on Milk Analysis. 
Samples received from Sent byCollected at 
Date of Collection Received...... Temperature Iced 
Mark or Name No. of Bacteria per c. c. Fat per cent. Refractometer Per cent. Clean General Grade 
See Over] Wassermann test. Interpretation of the results. 
- The test is negative for syphilis. 
± or -|- or 4- ± The reaction is slight, of doubtful significance 
2 4- Reaction partial. ) These reactions indicate the 
3 + Reaction nearly complete. S presence disease. 
4 4- Reaction complete. ) 
Except in the secondary stage of the disease, a negative react- 
ion does not exclude syphilis. In the primary stage, in the late 
stages, in congenial syphilis, and in cases under treatment 
negative results or only slight reactions are quite common. The 
ingestion of alcohol within 48 hours prior to the collection of the 
blood may interfere with the test. 
In all doubtful cases, confirmatory specimens should be sent. MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory. 28 Crescent Street 
... ~ .. „ - Telephone 280 
Jessie W. Fisher, m. D.. director 
Middletown, Conn. 
Middletown, Conn.,..„„ 
Dear Doctor:- 
The specimen of blood received from you on 
from 
gives the following results by Wassermann test for syphilis. 
For the interpretation of these results, see the other side 
of this card. 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D. 
Director. MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LABORATORY, 28 CRESCENT STREET 
TELEPHONE 280 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D., DIRECTOR MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
DIRECTIONS. Take a very small drop of exudate on a clean glass rod, or wooden toothpick, and make 
a thin smear on each slide. Dry in air without heating. 
GONORRHOEA TO BE FILLED OUT AT LABORATORY 
REC'DREPORTED 
RESULTSEXAMINED BY 
TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE PHYSICIAN 
DATE OF TAKING SPECIMENS 
FROM URETHRAOR FROM 
PATIENT'S NAME OR INITIALSAGE 
PATIENT'S ADDRESS SEX 
(over) OCCUPATIONNATIONALITY 
SINGLEMARRIEDWIDOWED 
DURATION OF DISEASE 
HAVE PREVIOUS EXAMINATIONS BEEN MADE? 
IF SO, DATESRESULTS 
REMARKS 
PHYSICIAN'S NAME 
PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 crescent street 
Telephone 280 
Jessie w. fisher, m. D., director „ 
' Middletown, conn. 
DIRECTIONS. Cleanse and dry lobe of ear. Prick so blood comes readily. Touch end of one slide to 
strictly fresh drop and draw it across surface of other slide. Repeat process with other slide. Dry at room 
temperature. Take blood shortly before expected chill. Never shortly after chill. 
MALARIA TO BE FILLED OUT AT LABORATORY 
REC'D REPORTED 
RESULTS EXAMINED BY 
TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE PHYSICIAN 
DATE OF TAKING BLOODHOUR:A. M. p. M. 
DATE OF LAST CHILLHOUR: A. M. p. M. 
WAS QUININE TAKEN BEFORE BLOOD WAS OBTAINED? 
PATIENT'S NAME AGE SEX 
PATIENT'S ADDRESS COLOR 
(over) TIME RESIDED HEREABSENCES 
OCCUPATION 
HAS PATIENT HAD MALARIA BEFORE?DATE 
HOW FREQUENT ARE THE CHILLS NOW? 
IS THE SPLEEN ENLARGED? 
DURATION OF THE DISEASE 
WHERE CONTRACTED 
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS 
REMARKS 
PHYSICIAN'S NAME . 
PHYSICIAN'S A DDR ESS 
HEALTH OFFICER'S NAME 
HEALTH OFFICER'S ADDRESS f ]■ (_ 
1>ATES OF PREVIOUS J I 
WASSERMANN TESTS [ RESULTS 
I J I ; 
RECENT TREATMENT KIND 
DATE DISCONTINUED 
HAS PATIENT INGESTED ALCOHOL WITHIN 48 HOURS? 
REMARKS 
PHYSICIAN'S NAME 
PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent Street 
- Telephone 280 
JESSIE W. FISHER. M. D., DIRECTOR Middletown, Conn. 
SYPHILIS To Ee Filled Out At Laboratory 
REC ' D REPORTED 
RESULTS EXAMINED BY 
To Be Filled Out By the Physician 
DATE OF COLLECTING BLOOD TIME- . 
PATIENT'S NAME OR INITIALS Agg 
PATIENT'S ADDRESS OCCUPATION 
NATIONALITYSINGLEMARRIEDWIDOWED 
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS - 
SYPHILIS ACQUIRED OR CONGENITALACTIVE 
PRESENT STAGE PRIMARY SECONDARY TERTIARY SYMPTOMS (ERASE THOSE NOT OBSERVED) 
FEVER, NOSEBLEED, ROSE SPOTS, DIARRHOEA, BLOODY STOOLS. 
DELIRIUM. TENDERNESS RIGHT ILIAC REGION, GURGLING. PALPABLE 
SPLEEN, BRONCHITIS, CHILLS, SWEATING. 
TONGUE.TEMP,PULSE RESPIRATION 
REMARKS 
PHYSICIAN'S NAME' 
PHYSICIANS address 
HEALTH OFFICER'S NAME 
HEALTH OFFICER'S ADDRESS 
IS RESULT OF DIAGNOSIS TO BE SENT BY MAIL? 
TELEPHONE TELEGRAPH 
TELEPHONE DIVISION NUMBER MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent street 
Telephone 280 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D., D.RECTOR M.OOLETOWN, CONN. 
TYPHOID TO BE FILLED OUT AT LABORATORY 
REC'DREPORTED 
WIDAL _EXAMINJED BY 
TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE PHYSICIAN 
DATE OF TAKING BLOODHOUR:A. M.P. M. 
PATIENT'S NAME AGE SEX 
PATIENT'S ADDRESS 
TIME RESIDENT HERE ABSENCES 
OCCUPATION 
DURATION OF DISEASE PROBABLE SOURCE OF INFECTION 
HAS THE PATIENT HAD TYPHOID BEFORE?WHEN ? 
HAS PATIENT PREVIOUSLY HAD TYPHOID VACCINE?WHEN ? 
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS 
(over) Directions for Collecting Sputum 
The bottle contains five per cent, carbolic acid which must not 
be thrown out. 
Have the patient expectorate directly into the bottle. 
The sputum discharged in the morning is to be preferred. Be 
sure it is coughed up and does not come simply from the mouth 
or throat. 
Specimens sent in bottles other than those supplied by the 
laboratory, will not be examined, as the use of indiscriminate 
outfits makes the work somewhat dangerous to the examiner. 
Specimens will not be examined if leaking from the bottle has 
occurred, or if the bottle has been filled more than half full. 
Reports will not be forwarded unless the accompanying blank 
for particulars of case is filled out. MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent Street 
- TELEPHONE 280 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D., DIRECTOR MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 
TUBERCULOSIS to be filled out at laboratory 
REC'P REPORTED 
RESULTS EXAMINED BY 
TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE PHYSICIAN 
DATE OF COLLECTING SPUTUM HOURA. M.P.JM. 
PATIENT'S NAME AGESEX 
PATIENT'S ADDRESS OCCUPATION 
NATIONALITY SINGLE MARRIED WIDOWED 
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS 
PHYSICIAN'S NAME 
PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS 
HEALTH OFFICER'S NAME 
HEALTH OFFICER'S ADDRESS 
(over) MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent Street 
Telephone 280 
Jessie W. Fisher, M. D., Director 
Middletown. Conn. 
Middletown, Conn., 
Dear Doctor:- 
In the examination of the specimen received from you 
on '_ 
from 
no gonococci were found. 
Such a negative result in acute cases is fairly conclusive, if the smears 
were properly prepared. In chronic cases it is of only very limited value. 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D„ 
DIRECTOR. MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent Street 
Telephone 280 
Jessie W. Fisher. M. D., Director „ 
Middletown. Conn. 
Middletown, Conn., 
Dear Doctor:- 
The examination of the specimen received from you 
on- 
from _- _ 
shows micrococci having the appearance of being gonococci. 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D., 
DIRECTOR. [ TH IS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS ) MIDDLETOWN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Laboratory, 28 Crescent Street 
Telephone 280 
Jessie W. Fisher, M. D„ Director „ 
Middletown, Conn. 
Middletown, Conn., 
Dear Doctor:- 
A specimen of sputum sent by 
Address 
from 
Address 
shows the presence of tubercle bacilli. 
JESSIE W. FISHER, M. D„ 
DIRECTOR. 132. 
Di a^nost i c L ab o r at ory; 
A diagnostic laboratory is maintained by the city. 
The city bacteriologist does all the work of examining milk 
samples, and making diagnostic examinations . The bacteriologist 
receives a salary of $1,200 per annum and is allowed about $500 
a year for the running expenses of the laboratory. Although 
this laboratory is run by the city, the physicians of the town 
have free access to it. 
Institutions for Promotion of Health; 
There are several charitable organ!zations in Middletown. 
Among the more important of these are the Social Service, 
the Red Cross, the Council of Catholic Women, the Day Nursery, 
and the Baby Hygiene Association. All of these institutions 
have a definite work to perform. From the results obtained 
their existence seems to be well warranted. 133. 
ANNUAL REPORT OF BACTERIOLOGIST 
YEAR - 1921 
To the Mayor and Common Council: 
Gentlemen: - 
I have the honor to submit the Report of the Middletown 
Board of Health Laboratory for the year ending December 31, 1921. 
The work of the department has progressed satisfactorily 
in every way. 
During the year there were 2,468 examinations made, 734 
more than in 1920 (1,732) and 1,812 more than in 1918 (606), showing 
the growing usefulness of the laboratory to the community. 
There were 552 milk samples submitted, four less than in 
1920 and 130 less than in 1919. For the most part the milk samples 
have averaged fairly good, 2.3$ giving a general grade above 95$, 
and 61, or 11$ had a bacterial count of below 10,000, while 128, or 
23.1$ were above 100,000 bacteria per c.c. 
That the public has appreciated the publication of the 
milk reports is evidenced by frequent telephone calls for additional 
information in regard to same. 
In May, at a conference of laboratory workers at the 
Connecticut State Laboratory in New Haven, we adopted the methods of 
the American Public Health Association for all milk examination, so 
that all laboratories in the State are now using identical technique. 134. 
Next to the general death rate, the prevalence of typhoid 
fever is accepted as an index of the effectiveness of preventive 
measures. 
There sere, during the year, only nine cases of typhoid 
fever (6 for town, 3 for city, corroborated by laboratory findings) 
out of sixty-three examinations. 
Sighteen new cases of' tuberculosis were diagnosed out of 
126 suspected specimens, submitted for examination. 
That malaria, once so prevalent in this community, is almost 
as extinct as the Dodo, is evidenced by the 492 negative examinations 
of blood for the parasite of the disease. 
For eight months of the year, the Wassermann reaction, so 
important in the diagnosis of syphilis, has been made with a total 
of 209 bloods examined, sixteen of which gave positive results. This 
best enables the physician to properly treat those cases of social 
diseases, which if left untreated result in serious invasion of 
nervous and vascular systems with much attending misery, unhappiness, 
loss of life and economic waste. 
That all the people suffering from venereal disease do not 
consult a physician is well known, and those who do oftentimes fail 
to return for adequate treatment owing to expense and ignorance of 
the fact that treatment to be effective must be continued for at 
least two years, so that the above figures do not give an accurate 
idea of the prevalence of these diseases. 135. 
There were eighteen cases of gonorrhea or 17.3$ of the 
104 specimens examined. In all probability this is only a fractional 
part of the people infected, because many young men do not know the 
seriousness of the infection, consequently do not apply for treatment. 
There have been 434 cultures examined for diphtheria, with 
21 true cases (4.3$) and one death. 
Recommendations. 
That the Laboratory budget be increased $400.00 to cover 
additional expenses attendant on the increasing work and purchase of 
a refractometer for testing watered milk. 
That facilities be provided for the collection of milk 
samples at least twice a month during the summer months from every 
producer supplying the Middletown market. 
This might easily be accomplished by employing a properly 
instructed college student as an assistant to the milk inspector 
to collect samples during July, August, and September, leaving the 
milk inspector sufficient time for the more important work of 
inspecting dairies. 136. 
In closing, I wish to thank the Mayor, Mr. J. F. Connery, 
the Health Officer, Dr. T. P. Walsh, and the Milk Inspector, Dr. 
E. W. Bitgood, for their hearty cooperation. 
The statistical report is appended. 
laboratory-R2Jpo,rtt,-Janua£y_wlJL 1921-to, De_192 
Total examinations 2,468 
First cultures examined (diphtheria).... .......434 
M " showing diphtheria ........21 
Second and more cultures examined ...324 
M cultures showing diphtheria...... 123 
Widal blood test for typhoid..... 63 
Positive Widal blood test for typhoid.... 10 
Widal blood test for para, A. i B. 107 
Blood culture for typhoid..... .1 
Feces for typhoid......,,.. .1 
Positive blood culture for typhoid 1 
Throat smears for Vincent's Angina.• 14 
Positive smears for Vincent's.......... 9 
Tub ere ulosis; 
Faces,........ ,3 
Sputum examined for T. B 126 
Sputum shoving presence of T. B..... ......22 
Spinal fluid .1 
Positive spinal fluid ............. 1 
Pleural fluid 1 
Positive pleural fluid...... .1 
Smear from gland, ankle and throat ,.3 
Smears for gonorrhea, ...104 
Positive smears for gonorrhea 33 
Wassermann blood tests for syphilis 242 
Positive Wass ermanns. 28 
Milk specimens examined. 552 
Jessie W. Fisher. CHAPTER XIII, 
SUMMARY 137. 
SUMMARY 
(1) In place of the present Committees on Health and 
Health and Nuisance, the following organization is 
recommended: - 
A Doctor of Medicine or Public Health to be 
Health Commissioner - full time man to run the 
Health Department. 
A Food, Meat and Milk Inspector - full time 
A School Physician - half time 
A School Nurse - full time 
A Dental Hygienist - full time 
A Bacteriologist - full time 
This arrangement would unify the various scattered 
activities now functioning and in some cases overlapping. 
It would also provide a health officer who could devote 
his time solely to health problems, instead of a busy 
general practitioner as at present who tries to do the 
best he can with the public health in odd moments. 
Also this arrangement would give a central office for 
reporting of vital statistics. In fact, the whole 
public health administration would be centralized and 
better controlled. 138. 
(2) The author recommends compulsory vaccination in the 
schools of Middletown. At present only about 40 - 
of the school children are protected. This would 
seem to be taking long hazards in a state where 
variola vera is not uncommon. 
(3) In place of the foul smelling, fly breeding dumps which 
now exist, the author recommends the establishment of 
a public incinerator. This would not only be of ad- 
vantage in curbing the fly nuisance, but it would also 
be a decided factor in beautifying the landscape. 
(4) Measures should be taken to prevent ice from Pameacho 
Pond from being sold. On the banks of this pond 
draining into it are innumerable privies. It would 
seem to be beneficial to the public health if this 
source of infection were obviated. 
(5) A public slaughter house would be a distinct benefit 
to the community. Rather than as at present having 
slaughtering done privately, the slaughtering and 
inspection could be done under control and would insure 
the best possible meat for the inhabitants of Middletown. 139. 
(6) Instead of the present system of keeping the vital 
statistics of city and town all mixed up together, 
the author recommends separate compilations until 
such time as the city and town are amalgamated. 
(7) The author recommends that legislation be enacted to 
insure the prompt and accurate reporting of infectious 
and communicable diseases, including gonorrhoea and 
syphilis. 
(8) The installation of the new type open toilet seats 
in the girls' toilets in all public schools and in 
the women's toilets in all public buildings should be 
effected as soon as possible. 
(9) The author recommends Schiqk testing and immunization 
of all school children who are Schick positive against 
diphtheria. 
(10) The author also recommends the confiscation of the pro- 
perty between Main and Water Streets where the over- 
crowded tenement district is. The present fire trap 
wooden buildings should be razed and new modern brick 
structures should be erected. This whole should be done, 
in an effort to do away with overcrowding and also to 
beautify the city.