688 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
sary in the reformatory treatment of the lazy and indigent may make the discipline that of a house of correction, and work injustice and injury to the aged and feeble.
All the more important and well-conducted poor-relief organi- zations in Germany base their efforts on these principles. The visitor is required to inform himself by personal visits, inquiry among neighbors, at bureaus of information, etc., if necessary even calling in the advice and assistance of the public physician for the poor (Armenarzf), concerning the health of the depend- ent and of his family, the sanitary condition of their dwelling, etc.; he is also to find out whether or not the dependent be pos- sessed of any property or means, whether he have any claim on relief funds of any sort, or upon relatives ; besides all this the visitor is to ascertain the exact amount of the earnings both of the dependent himself and of his relatives, then determining the manner and amount of aid to be granted, after due consideration of all these facts. In the collecting of the information the busi- ness management assists if necessary. All these matters are then to be constantly kept watch over, the visitor recording all information in the books he is required to keep concerning each family under his charge. Due attention and consideration must, of course, be given to important changes, as the remarrying of a widow, death of children in a dependent family, inheritance of property, etc. The books mentioned above are to be kept in such a manner as to enable one at any time to get a full and clear idea of the circumstances in the case. Whenever the aid in a particular case is temporarily discontinued, the book is returned to the business management, where it is kept, to be reopened should the same family renew their application for support. When a dependent moves from one district to another, the book passes into the hands of the visitor in the district into which he moves.
The visitor first refers the applicant to those who may be indebted to him or otherwise under obligation, relatives, employers, insurance or benefit funds ( Versicherungskassen) , etc.; in this direction the visitors oftentimes accomplish a great deal
