Social Science
the systematic investigation of questions relating to public and domestic hygiene, education, labor, the punishment and reformation of criminals, the prevention of pauperism, and the like. The "Sociétés de Bienfaisance" (Beneficent Societies), established in France in the 18th century, were founded for the purpose of discussing similar matters, and the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science originated in meeting, in 1857, 57, at the house of Lord Brougham (1778-1868), when he was appointed the first president. The association held annual meetings, and published its proceedings, classed under the heads of Jurisprudence, Education, Punishment and Reformation, Public Health, Social Economy, and Trade and International Law, but its action was temporarily suspended in 1884. Since its establishment social science has made great advances in most civilized countries, notably in precautions against disease, the reconstitution of hospital charities, the regulation of prisons and workhouses, the establishment of reformatories for young criminals and penitentiaries for fallen women, and the extension of middleclass and industrial education. The word has also been used to designate the science now termed SOCIOLOGY (q. v.). SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN, was founded in Boston, Mass., in 1865, for the purpose of investigating and studying all those social problems which come under the following heads: community health; education and art; social economy; finance; and jurisprudence. The membership of the association throughout the country is at present about 1,200. Its official organ is "The Journal of Social Science."