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greater than in any other first year subject—the real test, I say, 
is this: Does Biology give the average pupil what he needs to 
help him in adapting himself to the necessities of his environ- 
ment, and does it teach him to act in the bettering of that environ- 
ment? To this question I would most emphatically answer 
“Yes.” Biology does do these things and does them well, and 
moreover, does them far better than any other first year subject. 
Especially is this so since the remarkable change in front in biol- 
ogy which has occurred during the last 15 years, a change from 
the purely disciplinary viewpoint to that of the conservation of 
the individual and of the race. This now seems to be the chief 
claim of biology for just consideration, and this claim alone 
should make its place secure in the school curriculum. But I 
sometimes wonder, if this gradual change of front has not weak- 
ened, rather than stregnthened the case of biology, in view of the 
present unexpected developments, such as the new Physical 
Training law, the required hygiene work in all schools, and the 
development of General Science. The belief seems to have gained 
credence that, since biology has given itself so unreservedly to the 
work of hygiene in order to secure its present position now, under 
the new conditions, this work can as well be done by other agen- 
cies, and biology can be removed from the course of study. The 
answer to this is final—no other agency is as fitted or prepared to 
present the problems of hygiene to the first year high school 
pupil. The teacher of biology is prepared to do this work and it 
will never succeed under any other guidance. I am, therefore, 
convinced that no attempt to eliminate the teacher of biology as. 
a trusted guide in matters of hygiene will ever be successful, pro- 
vided the common sense of the public can be properly aroused, 
and as long as the teacher of biology keeps before him, as the core 
of his teaching, the health, well being, efficiency, and happiness. 
of the individual child. . . . Now as to my conclusions. 
(1) Biology as a science should not be eliminated, and must 
not be eliminated from our high schools. 
(2) The problem of teaching the principles of hygiene can 
well be solved by including them in a course in general science. 
(3) A course in general science should be taught by the teach- 
ers in biology. 

