- Koch discovered that different dyes stained specific microbes
= Behring discovered that the body manufactures antitoxins that attack disease causing microbes
- Ehrlich and a team of researchers search for a 'magic bullet' . This would be a chemical compound that attacked and killed microbes that caused disease
- The team worked for many years, testing many compounds to find one to cure syphilis
- 1909, Dr Hata joined the team and discovered that the 606th compound worked (one that had been previously rejected)
- 1932, Gerhard Domagk developed another magic bullet (Prontosil) which cured blood poisoning
- It was later discovered that the main ingredient in Prontosil also cured pneumonia, scarlet fever and meningitis
- Antibiotics destroy bacteria or prevent its growth. The first one that was discovered was penicillin
- Scientists experimented with other moulds and found more effective antibiotics against different diseases
- Once the chemical structure of different antibiotics was discovered, scientists were able to make antibiotics which solved the problem of growing them
- Antibiotics have saved and extended millions of lives, but some bacteria have evolved and become resistant to antibiotics
Surgeons can use small incisions to access the body because of the development of tiny cameras. This reduces recovery time and make it possible to reattach nerves and blood vessels
The NHS has improved access to care because treatment is free. However, when it was first introduced, healthcare provision was unequal across the country due to a lack of doctors and hospitals, but this improved over time.
Since 1948, the government has funded publicity to raise awareness of illnesses and dangers to health, such as smoking and binge-drinking, with some success: the 1980s 'AIDS: don't die of ignorance' campaign reduced cases of HIV infection.
More recently, events and initiatives such as the Change4Life campaign, have encouraged healthy behaviour to prevent disease.
- In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that bacteria in a Petri dish was being killed by Penicillium mould. He then tested it on other bacteria and produced an excellent antibiotic
- In 1929, Fleming published his findings but didn't believe that penicillin would work on people, so didn't ask for funding to continue research
- Years later, Florey and Chain and their team continued Fleming's research
- It proved effective on mice, so they tested it on humans.