For the benefit of those who find certain of the bibliographical references in the footnotes too scant, it should be explained that these have been deliberately cut to the briefest possible form wherever the books or articles referred to, because they bore directly upon my theme, have been included in the Bibliography at the end of the volume. Fuller details will always be found there. It should be added that, in the illustrations taken from actual cases which are given throughout the volume, names have in all instances been changed. Finally, no one will accuse me of disloyalty to the group with which I have been identified so long because I have not hesitated · to point out its present weaknesses on the diagnostic side. My task was undertaken because there were weaknesses, but it could not have been pushed forward if many social case workers had not been doing effective and original work, though often under great difficulties. If, after examining these pages, the harassed and overburdened practitioner is tempted to think their counsels impracticable under the conditions which necessarily limit his daily task, let him ask himself whether "necessarily" does not beg the question, and whether some of those conditions should not and cannot be changed. Then, if he is still sure that I am at fault, or if he finds other errors, whether of omission or of commission, let him write and tell me so. I have good reason for inviting criticism. No one knows better than I how tentative this discussion is. In the remote chance of there being another edition of this book, however, I should like to make it more useful than, with my utmost endeavors, I am now able to. New York, April, 1917. MARY E. RICHMOND. I. The Economic and the More Comprehensive Approach 28 1. The Forerunners, 28. 2. Charity Organization Beginnings, 29. 3. First Attempts to Establish Standards, 30. 79 1. The Nature of the Task, 104. 2. The Origin of the Application, 106. 3. The Place of the Interview, 106. 4. The Recorded Expe- 1. The Approach, 115. 2. Clues and Questions, 120. 3. Taking Notes, 126. 4. Premature Advice and Promises, 129. 5. Bringing the Interview to a Close, 130. 6. Emergency Interviews, 131. 1. The Man Should Be Seen, 143. 2. Place of Interview, 143. 3. 1. First Principle of Choice, 170. 2. Second Principle of Choice, 170. 3. Third Principle of Choice, 172. 4. Fourth Principle of Choice, 174. 1. Individual and Family History, 186. 2. Insight, 188. 3. Backing and Active Co-operation, 189. 4. Further Considerations, 194. II. Complementary Nature of Medical and of Social Data 1. Ask for Prognosis, 213. 2. Economize Resources, 213. First-hand Information, 215. 4. A Medical Diagnosis Should Have a Date, 216. 5. Beware the Medical Opinions of the Non-medical, 216. 6. Doctor to Doctor Is More Frank, 216. 7. Careful Reporting Wears Away Prejudice, 218. 8. Miscellaneous Suggestions, 218. |