Page:Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil - Elizabeth Blackwell (1883).djvu/15

 DEDICATION.

discussion has already begun throughout the United States, as to the wisest methods of dealing with social evil. Much perplexity is felt on this subject, and a feeling of despondency upon the part of many. A doubt as to the possibility of dealing with a vast and growing evil in a way that shall satisfy our highest ideas of morality and religion.

In England the subject is attracting an even deeper and more immediate attention, and certain Parliamentary evidence lately published in the English Blue Books, throw so much light upon the subject—show such pitfalls ahead; such failures in one direction; such cheering success in another, that we can not do better than study this evidence to aid us in determining the course that we should ourselves pursue.

The following record of facts is laid before women as well as men, because their aid is indispensable for (5)