74 The Environmental Debate
Document 65: Ellen Swallow Richards on Sanitation and Human Ecology (1907)
Ellen Swallow Richards, an instructor in sanitary chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is
credited with introducing the term human ecology and with popularizing the concept of ecology and the idea
that people should be concerned about and take responsibility for their environment. She was the first woman
to receive a science degree from a U.S. university.Sanitary Science teaches that mode of life
which promotes health and efficiency.
The individual is one of a community influ-
encing and influenced by the common environ-
ment.
Human ecology is the study of the sur-
roundings of human beings in the effects they
produce on the lives of men. The features of the
environment are natural, as climate, and artifi-
cial, produced by human activity, as noise, dust,
poisonous vapors, vitiated air, dirty water, and
unclean food.
The study of this environment is in two
chief lines:
First, what is often called municipal house-
keeping—the cooperation of the citizens in
securing clean streets, the suppression of nui-
sances, abundant water supply, market inspec-
tion, etc.
Second, family housekeeping. The health-
ful home demands a management of the house
which shall promote vigorous life and prevent
the physical deterioration so evident under mod-
ern conditions.
To secure and maintain a safe environment
there must be inculcated habits of using the
material things in daily life in such a way as to
promote and not to diminish health. Avoid spit-
ting in the streets, avoid throwing refuse on the
sidewalk, avoid dust and bad air in the house
and sleeping rooms, etc.
It is, however, of the greatest importance
that every one should acquire such habits
of belief in the importance of this material
environment as shall lead him to insist upon
sanitary regulations, and to see that they are
carried out.
What touches my neighbor, touches me. For
my sake, and for his, the city inspector and the
city garbage cart visit us, and I keep my premises
in such a condition as I expect him to strive for.
The first law of sanitation requires quick
removal and destruction of all wastes—of things
done with.
The second law enjoins such use of the air,
water, and food necessary to life that the person
may be in a state of health and efficiency.
This right use depends so largely upon habit
that a great portion of sanitary teaching must be
given to inculcating right and safe ways in daily
life.
Source: Ellen Swallow Richards, Sanitation in Daily
Life (Boston: Whitcomb & Barrows, 1910 [1907]), pp.
v-viii, in Carolyn Merchant, ed., Major Problems in
American Environmental History: Documents and Essays
(Lexington, MA: Heath, 1993), pp. 445-47.