Euthenics, the science of controllable environment: A plea for better living conditions as a first step toward higher human efficiencyRichards, Ellen H. (Ellen Henrietta)
Science
Euthenics, the science of controllable environment: A plea for better living conditions as a first step toward higher human efficiency
Richards, Ellen H. (Ellen Henrietta)
Euthenics
This new science seeks to emphasize the immediate duty of man to
better his conditions by availing himself of knowledge already at
hand. As far as in him lies he must make application of this knowledge
to secure his greatest efficiency under conditions which he can create
or under such existing conditions as he may not be able wholly to
control, but such as he may modify. The knowledge of the causes of
disease tends only to depress the average citizen rather than to
arouse him to combat it. Hope of success will urge him forward, and it
is the duty of lovers of mankind to show all possible ways of
attaining the goal. The tendency to hopelessness retards reformation
and regeneration, and the lack of belief in success holds back the
wheels of progress.
Euthenics is to be developed:
1. Through sanitary science.
2. Through education.
3. Through relating science and education to life.
Students of sanitary science discover for us the laws which make for
health and the prevention of disease. The laboratory has been studying
conditions and causes, and now can show the way to many remedies.
A knowledge of these laws, of the means of conserving man’s resources
and vitality, which will result in the wealth of human energy, is more
and more brought within the reach of all by various educational
agencies.
The individual must estimate properly the value of this knowledge in
its application to daily life, in order to secure efficiency and the
greatest happiness for himself and for the community.
Right living conditions comprise pure food and a safe water supply, a
clean and disease-free atmosphere in which to live and work, proper
shelter, and the adjustment of work, rest, and amusement. The
attainment of these conditions calls for hearty coöperation between
individual and community--effort on the part of the individual because
the individual makes personality a power; effort on the part of the
community because the strength of combined endeavor is required to
meet all great problems.
EUTHENICS
BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE HUMAN RACE
CONTENTS
PAGE
I. The opportunity for betterment is real and practical,
not merely academic 3
II. Individual effort is needed to improve individual
conditions. Home and habits of living, eating, etc.
Good habits pay in economy of time and force 15
III. Community effort is needed to make better conditions
for all, in streets and public places, for water and
milk supply, hospitals, markets, housing problems, etc.
Restraint for sake of neighbors 39
IV. Interchangeableness of these two forms of progressive
effort. First one, then the other ahead 59
V. The child to be “raised” as he should be. Restraint for his
good. Teaching good habits the chief duty of the family 73
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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