3.1.1
Germ Theory
Germ Theory and the Work of Pasteur
Germ Theory and the Work of Pasteur
Before Louis Pasteur’s work in 1861, there was a debate over how infections were spread. Before Pasteur, most scientists believed spontaneous generation and that diseases could be spread by miasma or contact.
Spontaneous generation
Spontaneous generation
- Surgeons thought that microbes were caused by disease in something called “spontaneous generation”.
- The microbes were a symptom and diseases developed randomly, creating bacteria.
Spreading disease
Spreading disease
- The two main groups were contagionists and anti-contagionists.
- Contagionists believed disease could spread through contact.
- Anti-contagionists believed disease spread through miasma.
Pasteur
Pasteur
- In 1857, Pasteur tried to explain why the sugar beet used to ferment alcohol soured. Pasteur thought that germs in the air were responsible.
- He found that sterilised water was still sterile if the flask was closed, but was not sterile if the flask was open. This suggested that there were germs in the air.
Germ Theory
Germ Theory
- In 1861, he published his theory – germs were causing infections.
- Microscopes (invented in the 17th century) eventually allowed Pasteur to see the micro-organisms that he described.
Opposition to Germ Theory
Opposition to Germ Theory
- Pasteur faced serious opposition for his theory.
- A famous doctor called Charlton Bastian supported the theory of spontaneous generation, which contradicted Pasteur’s Germ Theory.
- Pasteur’s research focused on how liquids, such as milk went sour (pasteurisation). Many did not see the connection to humans.
- Doctors did not believe that small germs could cause such harm to humans.
The Impact of Germ Theory on Medical Treatment
The Impact of Germ Theory on Medical Treatment
Germ Theory could be applied to everyday medical treatments.
Everyday medical treatments
Everyday medical treatments
- People gradually began to believe (and treat people in accordance with) Germ Theory.
- Most of the gains from Germ Theory came in the 20th century.
Implications of Germ Theory
Implications of Germ Theory
- It proved that disease was not spread by miasma.
- It proved that spontaneous generation was wrong.
- It proved that an imbalance of the Four Humours did not cause disease, thus meaning the Four Humours were wrong.
Safer medical treatment
Safer medical treatment
- In 19th century Britain, medical treatments became safer.
- The survival rate in surgery increased, hospitals became cleaner and vaccinations became more popular.
- Technological developments meant that diseases could be identified and stopped more effectively.
- Following Germ Theory, drugs were developed and became far more popular.
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
Jump to other topics
1Medicine in Medieval England
1.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
1.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
2The Medical Renaissance in England
2.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
2.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
3Medicine in 18th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Ideas about the Cause of Disease & Illness
3.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
4Medicine in Modern Britain
4.1Modern Understanding of Disease
4.2Approaches to Prevention & Treatment
5Treatment in WW1
6Themes in Medicine
7Some Extra Context (Not Compulsory for Exam)
7.1Medieval Medicine
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