Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/853

 REVIEWS 837

Of the general make-up of the book, as of all that issue from that well-known house, there is nothing to be said but praise, unless it be to note the retention of the superfluous u in such words as "honour," "favour," "colour," etc. To speak of our American "Labour Daj' " is a clear case of "archaism" and "conspicuous waste," and might be cited in defense of the main thesis of the book.

Lester F. Ward.

Washington, D. C.

The Cost of Living as Modified by Sanitary Science. By Ellen H. Richards. New York; John Wiley & Sons, 1899. Pp. 121.

The new impulse which the world is feeling in regard to the importance of the administration of the household is trying to find expression through publications of various kinds. Unfortunately much of the printed material, be it books or magazines, is superficial, unscientific, and misleading, and its only significance to the student of social reform lies in the hope that it is the precursor of something which will have intrinsic value. Miss Salmon's work on Domestic Service was the first book to confirm the reasonableness of this hope; and now Mrs. Richards' book appears as another important contribu- tion to the study of household administration.

The title is somewhat misleading, for the author gives a much larger meaning to the term "sanitary science" than is commonly accepted. This is shown in the titles of the chapters, which are : " Standards of Living ; " " The Service of Sanitary Science in Increas- ing Productive Life;" "Household Expenditure;" "The House;" " Operating Expenses ; " " Food ; " " Clothing in Relation to Health ; " "The Emotional and Intellectual Life;" "The Organization of the House."

Mrs. Richards' belief that "standards of living should be regulated, not by money spent, not by servile imitation of others, but by that which will produce the best results in health of body and health of mind," leads to a broader view of sanitary science than is customary, and yet to one which is perfectly sound. It is only as a better physi- cal environment results in higher life of every kind that the effort to secure it seems worth the struggle.

The chief part of the discussion of practical details is devoted to the needs and opportunities of a family with an income of from $1,500 to $2,500, since this is the class in .American society which has need