Germ Theory
The general medical theory (developed originally by the Frenchman Louis [developed by] [Pasteur]* and earlier suggested by the Italian Lazzaro [suggested by] Spallanzani*) that disease and infection is caused by the invasion of the body by minute organisms and viruses too small to see and in the main carried on the air.
The theory accounted for contagion, and opened the way to antiseptic practices (such as the use of carbolic acid and the washing of hands) although these took a long time to be accepted. Once the theory was well-established the search to identify the pathogenic bacteria themselves soon led to early discoveries such as that of the organisms causing anthrax, tuberculosis and cholera.
Since the end of the nineteenth century the germ theory and advances in medical technology have stimulated research down to molecular level into every aspect of the pathogenic microorganism and its relationship with the human body.
This research has also triggered the development of ‘germ’ or ‘biological’ warfare techniques through the development of disease-causing agents (and their antidotes) capable of battlefield use.
Jared Diamond argues in Guns, Germs and Steel (PBS video) that germs were essential in European conquest of the New World, as native people, with no long association with livestock, suffered mortality rates often of over ninety percent. See also Charles Mann.
Oneliner: The germ theory revolutionized medicine and public health
Bibliography:
- Encyclopedia Britannica.
- Inventors, http://inventors.about.com.
Multimedia:
Charles Mann, author of 1491(book exploration on how Native Americans used the land) has also written about interactions between colonists and Native peoples. Atlantic Monthly excerpt;(audio interview) (1491) discusses the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the birth of globalization in terms of world trade and ecological collision. "1492 Before and After":2012 video talk1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created, Knopf, 2011 Charles Mann, "Living in the Homogenocene: The First 500 Years" (video) LongNow 2012 talk.