An examples of a simile drawing upon a scientific concept:
"The teaching of science in the school was placed on an equal level with religious and literary studies; inevitably it was Armstrong who devised the science syllabus. Later, a 'virus heuristicum Armstrongii' spread to other subjects like geography, languages and history.
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But it is undoubtedly in the field of education that Armstrong made his most lasting contribution. The 'virus heuristicum Armsotrongii' of discovery methods is no longer something peculiar to Christ's Hospital [school], but a methodology which is recognised to have its place in infant, junior and secondary education."
W. H. Brock (1973) Editor's introduction to H. E. Armstrong and the teaching of science 1880-1930, Cambridge University Press.
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