The purpose of the book is to examine the history of "caring" institutions from early Cathedral Schools up to the present day. The history includes summaries of hospitals, infirmaries, universities, colleges, lunatic asylums, public schools, grammar schools, dame schools, blue coat schools, workhouses, SPCK schools, orphanages, blind schools, reformatories, industrial schools, ragged schools, national schools, and preparatory schools. The book also incorporates information on the kinds of buttons used by these institutions, along with their approximate values. The book is fully illustrated with appropriate photographs of the institutions and their buttons.