Summer Meeting. 139 



pursuit of health the corner stone of their new creed. ^All that a man 

 hath will he give for his life.' Mortality among all classes, particularly 

 young children is becoming so alarming that a spirit of investigation is 

 abroad in the land. Club women ever on the alert have caught and 

 pinned to their printed programs investigations new only in name, 

 for as one of them says, some of us began the study years ago because it 

 seemed the only untried pathway left to good health, and finding the 

 pursuit has led to the desired goal, why should we not persuade our 

 friends that they also come into the kingdom. The Springfield Econo- 

 mic Club from which this paper comes, has not taken up a fad, but has 

 purpose back of its early efforts which means better health, more happi- 

 ness and added years for those who enter it. As this club is one of the 

 few wholly devoted to domestic science and health studj^ and based upon 

 an original plan, we give briefly its history. 



It was organized in September, 1898, federated at the time of the 

 Annual Federation of Missouri Clubs, as a band of eight neighborhood 

 circles, independent in leadership, yet united in a common plan and pur- 

 pose, holding a monthly central union meeting. The plan combines 

 the club with the social settlement. It is proving eminently successful 

 showine: to-dav ten circles and verv nearlv 150 members. Its study 

 has been given largeh' to the subjects in home life which touch most 

 closely upon health. Its "Year Book" has been placed in the hands of 

 Mr. Atwood, giving to those present who care to investigate their topics 

 and constitution and it has introduced the use of whole wheat bread into 

 scores of homes and millions who did not consider it worth while to manu- 

 facture whole wheat before are putting in machinery and offering new 

 la-ands of whole wheat products to consumers. One of these has been 

 niamed after this club. 



