Euthenics, or the Science of Controllable Environment
Human efficiency and welfare due to
Heredity (See Eugenics) and
Environment
1. Natural, cosmical—climate—
2. Natural, modified by human effort
Wet and dry soil
Waterways and forests
Food supplies
3. Artificial
Housing—clothing—sanitation
Euthenics—Conscious acquisition and application of scientific knowledge
I. Science in the laboratory
Discovery of laws of science
Knowledge of cause and effect
II. Dissemination of scientific knowledge
Education
III. Application of science
Habits of living
Technique
Stimulus to civic improvement
Constructive legislation
I. Science acquired through laboratory and field research
Universities
Johns Hopkins, Clark, etc.
Research institutes
Rockefeller Institute
Carnegie Institute
Henry Phipps Institute
Sage Foundation, etc.
Sanitary Science = Application of acquired laws to
1. National welfare
Hook worm, Pellagra, Yellow fever, etc., in Panama, The Philippines, Cuba, Porto Rico, etc.
2. Individual health of body and mind
The people are reached by
II. A. Dissemination of scientific knowledge through
1. Schools
2. Publicity
a. Bulletins
Boards of Health
Department of Agriculture b. Lectures
Municipal
Endowed
c. Magazines and newspapers d. Placards e. Commercial advertising
Inventions of manufacturers
Food fairs, electrical exhibitions, etc.
3. Expositions for limited purposes
Mary Lowell Stone Exhibit
“Boston 1915”
4. Health Campaigns
Tuberculosis classes, etc.
B. Legislation
Restrictions
III. Application of science to living
A. 1. Unconsciously acquired habits of the CHILD, through imitation in the home, the school, the street
2. Conscious endeavor of a. the trained parents in the home b. the teacher in the school c. the policemen in the street
B. Conscious personal effort of the ADULT to better conditions for himself and the community
1. Pioneer leading public opinion by a. Personal example in right living b. Precept and persuasion
C. Community progress
1. Semi-public agencies for guarding itself and the individual a. Remedial measures
Endowed hospitals, sanatoria, dispensaries, day camps and hospital schools
Charity organizations—material relief b. Preventive measures
Endowed schools (model and outdoor), extension movements, settlements, model tenements, model factories, garden cities
Both are developed by social organizations, civic clubs, women’s clubs, museums, libraries, lectures, exhibits, statistical inquiries, etc.
2. Private agencies leading to legislation
Special hospitals and schools
Health organizations—sanitary inspection at model dairies—private water supply
Consumer’s league
3. Legislation. Temporary paternalism (protection). Interpretation by individual becomes constructive. The people work out freedom under law a. City
(1) Schools
Grade and trade and outdoor
(2) Police
Building laws
(3) Board of Health
(a) Shelter
Sanitary laws
Air—light—refuse{Drainage
Garbage
Ashes
(b) Food
Milk—water—foods{Food values
Adulterations
(c) Sanitary laws for public places
Buildings
Streets
Sewer
Ice on sidewalk
Spitting
(4) Beauty
Height of buildings, bill boards, telegraph wires, parks
(5) Amusements
Playgrounds, municipal music, parks, aquarium
(6) Other municipal activities
(a) Traffic regulation
(b) Medical inspection
(c) Public baths b. State
Education
Board of Health
Factory legislation
Water supply (advisory power)
Interstate commerce
Food (advisory)
Park reservations
Textile laws
Forest
c. Federal
Sanitation
(a) Pure food laws
(b) Quarantine
(c) Immigration restriction
(d) Future needs
Textile laws, etc.
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