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 organization societies, and in many other institutions.

The method that has thus been developed has come to be known as social case work. The practice of it as applied to the more complicated forms of trouble is a vocation requiring, in addition to native ability, special knowledge and much preparation and training. There are many situations, however, in which this method may be of help to any one who can sympathetically interpret its spirit and its principles. Social case workers, having found it effective in the lives of those whom they serve and in their own lives also, believe that its point of view should form part of the philosophy of everybody and that an understanding of its processes would be useful in the daily relationships of life and particularly to those persons to whom other people turn for advice and guidance. It is in the interest of a wider application of social case work that this book has been written.

Social case work is not a panacea. While it can be helpful to any one in any economic or social status, it is not a cure of economic and social evils. Although an interpretation of it as universally applicable obviously avoids emphasis upon any one group of people, it must be remembered that