A Revolution In Medicine: The Development In The Germ Theory Flashcards
When was the first basic microscope invented and how did this impact medical knowledge?
In 1667. It meant that scientists could identify microbes in the blood of sick people. However, no link was made between microbes and disease yet.
What is the difference between contagionists and anti-contangionists?
Contagionists: the idea that infection was spread by contact with an infected person or a bacteria. They beloved any contact would lead to the illness being transmitted. Example supporters: John Simon.
Anti-contagionists:the idea that disease was spread by infections interacted with the environment (soil or water) and created the disease that would them attack the weak. They believed cleaning up the environment would stop epidemics because epidemics interacted with the environment to create diseases. Linked to the theory of miasma.
Example supporters: Florence Nightingale.
What is meant by spontaneous generation in terms of microbes?
The idea that microbes could appear as if by magic when something rotted therefore it was believed the disease caused the microbes not the other way round.
What does the term miasma mean?
The idea that there was ‘bad air’, and that disease was spread by air.
What was the germ theory?
The theory that bacteria or germs were the real cause of infection. This theory was created by Louis Pasteur. (1822-95).
What did public health reforms believe in. Either…or…”
Contagionists of the anti-contagionists.
Why did germ theory disapprove the anti-contagionists?
Because they believed that cleaning up the environment would stop epidemics. These people believed that epidemics were caused when infections reacted with the environment. She in fact diseases are caused when microbes from the environment invade organisms.
Fact file on Joseph Listler:
- born in Essex
- studies surgery and became a fellow of the Royal College if Surgery In 1852.
- moves to Glasgow in 1860 to become a professor of surgery.
- introduced new principles of cleanliness in surgery.
What were some of Listlers impacts and discoveries?
- in 1855 he carried out the antiseptic surgery.
- first person to identify the link between clean hospitals and infection rates.
- before this patients often suffered from ward fever (a group of infections) caught in the hospitals.
- Listler used antiseptic spray after he discovered that is was used to reduce the smell of sewage.
- developments in surgical hygiene followed. They washed hands, cleaned equipment with carbolic spray and washed their aprons.
His discoveries meant less people would die of infection.
What were some of Lislters antiseptic methods?
-Listler published his results in March 1867, giving details of 11 patients with compounds fractures, none of whom had died of infection. He also publicised Pasteur’s Germ theory through his explanation of antiseptic technique.
–Listler tested his antiseptic approach out on other surgeries:
His method was to spray carbolic acid to coat the surgeons hands, the wound and the instruments used in the operation. He also soaked the bandages, ligatures and dressings to be applied to the wound in diluted carbolic acid.
How did Pasteur’s influence aid Listlers theory about antiseptic techniques?
- In Glasgow, 1860, Joseph Listler realised that operations went well as long as the wound was kept free of from infection.
- Listler thought Pasteur’s Germ Theory might explain the problems of infections. Carbolic acid was suggested to Listler as a chemical that could kill bacteria.
- He believed that infection only happened when the skin was broken so that microbes could enter and start infection.
- He came to the conclusion infection in wounds was caused by microbes in the air. He said the cause of sepsis came from outside the body and not from spontaneous generation and recommended his form of antiseptic surgery.
Why did some doctors argue Listlers method of antiseptic techniques using carbolic spray of unpleasant?
The carbolic spray often cracked the doctors skin as well as the patients and made everything smell. Also having to spray the whole surgery and coat bandages (etc) also caused extra work and more operation meaning more expensive so doctors lost profit.
Why did some doctors argue Listlers method of antiseptic techniques using carbolic spray took too long?
E.g during amputation speed was essential as well as in other operations because they still had the problem of bleeding. Spraying everything just slowed everything down.
Why did some doctors argue Listlers method of antiseptic techniques using carbolic spray didn’t work?
Some doctors tried this methods without success, and patients still developed infections from wounds and died anyway. When they challenged Listler, he claimed they had not been systematic enough when preparing the theatre. These doctors disagreed and thought that antiseptics prevented to bodies natural defence system.
Why did some doctors not take Listlers method of antiseptic techniques seriously?
Many doctors laughed at him and found it amusing. They found it difficult to accept the idea that there were tiny microbes all around, invisible to the naked eye, which could cause diseases.
Why did some doctors not like Listlers method of antiseptic techniques using carbolic spray?
Some doctors thought he was cold and arrogant. He was critical of other surgeons and many found his lectures boring.
Why did some doctors feel Lislers method of antiseptics was a hoax?
He kept changing his technique to improve it and looked for substances that could just as well but without the erosion the carbolic spray caused. Some beloved he did this because his method did not work.
Why was development of antiseptic techniques significant?
It enabled doctors to preform more complicated/ambitious surgery, which would not have been able to done before because to risk of infection. It also supported the germ theory that stated that microbes entered the body and caused infection. This caused an overall improvement in public health.
How did understanding of the germ theory develop during the last part of the 1800s?
In 1878 Koch found the bacterium which caused septicaemia and proved and proved that disease was spread through contact with an infected surface. This gave a real boost to Lister’s ideas.
In 1892 Lister and Pasteur were together given an award at the Sherbonne University in Paris for their contribution to fight against disease.
How did antiseptic techniques develop towards the end of the 1800s?
- operating theatres and hospitals were now rigorously cleaned to ensure absolute cleanliness. From 1887 all instruments are steamed and sterilised and in 1904 rubber gloves were used.
- surgeons also began to scrub their hands and arms before entering the surgical theatre as well as wear face masks and change their clothes for operating gowns.
- By the late 1890s Listers antiseptic methods became aseptic surgery which meant removing all possible germs from the operating theatre to create a sterile environment.
How did the development of antiseptic techniques lead to more ambitious surgeries in the late 1800s?
- despite opposition Lister’s methods marked a turning point in surgery. In 1877 he moved to London to train young surgeons under his own supervision.
- with basic problems (such as pain and infection) now solved surgeons became to attempt more ambitious operations.
- the first successful operation to remove an infected appendix came in the 1880s. This first heart operation was carried out in 1896 when surgeons repaired damage by a stab wound.
Fact file on Robert Koch:
- 1843-1910
- born in Germany
- studied in to be a doctor, worked as a surgeon in the Franco-Prussian war.
- became a pioneering biologist and was awards the Nobel prize.
What did Koch discover?
He lived through testing on mice. He discovered new bacteria and applied the germ theory to his experiments. He isolated microbes casing anthrax.
Why were Koch and Pasteur rivals?
Their countries were at war (Franco-Prussian) so their governments were prepared to invest in research.
