Euthenics, the science of controllable environment A plea for better living conditions as a first step toward higher human efficiency

The book argues that improving living conditions—clean water, food, housing, and a balanced work‑rest rhythm—can raise human efficiency. It distinguishes euthenics from eugenics, presenting it as present‑day hygiene rooted in scientific knowledge of disease and sanitation. The author urges coordinated effort by individuals and communities, using education and public‑health measures to shape healthier environments. By showing how small adjustments in daily habits can translate into national wealth, the author frames health as an economic as well as moral pursuit.

The text outlines practical steps such as applying sanitary science, revising school curricula, teaching domestic science to women, and enacting municipal regulations for water, milk, and housing. It stresses that knowledge alone is insufficient; habit formation and a sense of responsibility are essential for lasting improvement. Readers gain a vivid picture of early‑twentieth‑century reformist thinking and a clear call to make healthier environments a civic priority. The work also highlights the role of the housewife and other everyday citizens as vital forces in advancing public health.