Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 53.djvu/700

680 "The lectures should treat of—

 "1. The house and its foundations and surroundings from a sanitary as well as an architectural standpoint. "2. The mechanical apparatus of the house, heating, lighting, ventilation, drainage, etc., including methods of testing their efficiency. "3. Furnishing and general care of a house, including what might be called applied physiology, chemistry of food and nutrition, and the chemistry of cleaning. "4. Food and clothing of a family. "5. Relation of domestic service to the general question of labor, with a discussion of present conditions and proposed reforms.

"The practical work should include:—

 "1. Visits of inspection, accompanied by the instructor, to houses in process of construction, of good and bad types, both old and new. "2. Visits to homes where the housekeeper has put in practice some or all of the theories of modern sanitary and economic living. "3. Conferences with successful and progressive housekeepers. "4. Practical work and original investigation in the laboratory of sanitary chemistry."

This was the outline originally prepared by Miss Talbot, and describes the course as she gave it at Wellesley in 1891 and 1892, entering upon her work there at about this time.

To show the respect which Mrs. Richards's attainments as a scholar and scientist have won with the world, as well as giving added significance to the fact of her doing so much in the field of domestic science. The Outlook for September, 1897, is quoted: "Her contributions to science have placed her at the head of the domestic science department of one of the leading educational institutions of the country, and have established her as an authority in her own field, a woman whose advice, investigations, and decisions are accepted by the leading scientists and authorities."

Mrs. Richards and Miss Talbot have made themselves felt in connection with this work in still another direction. In the University of Chicago, domestic science is not only taught but practiced. When Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer and Miss Marion Talbot consented to go there as deans of the woman's department, it was with the understanding that they should have an opportunity to carry out their convictions that college trustees and professors have done their whole duty by their students only when they see that they are properly fed as well as properly taught. Accordingly, when the three halls for the accommodation of the women students were completed, they undertook, with Mrs. Ellen H. Richards as expert adviser, to furnish a dietary which should be kept within a certain cost,