Pasteur and Germ Theory, 1865, 1878

• Pasteur -

  • Found out that germs were also the cause of disease.
  • Proved by 1865 - but unable to find out which microbes were causing which diseases.
• Germ Theory -

  • Short term = little impact.
  • 1878, Pasteur published Germ Theory and its Application to Medicine.
• Long term effects of Germ Theory:

  • Surgery - helped with the development of antiseptics.
  • Cleaner conditions.
  • Vaccinations - Koch identified which microbe caused what disease.
  • Investment in scientific medical research.
  • 'magic bullets' - first one developed by Ehrlich, 1909.
  • Investments in public health provision - improvements on sewers, drains, fresh water supplies etc.