CiM: Accelerating change, 1875-1905

Question 1

Robert Koch and Anthrax/vaccination (4)

Answer 1

-Link of microorganisms and disease initially not clear
-Used microscope to prove scientifically that anthrax caused disease
-Published his work (1876)
-Created first anthrax vaccine (1881) and ran animal experiment, later tested on rabies too

Question 2

Koch and Bacteriology (5)

Answer 2

-Investigated if specific microorganisms caused particular diseases
-Injected different cultures into animals to see whether they developed particular diseases
-Identified microorganisms for tuberculosis and cholera (1882/83) and more in further years
-Developed the use of agar jelly
-Referred as ‘the father of bacteriology’ as his methods and discoveries were the starting points

Question 3

Pasteur vs Koch (2)

Answer 3

-Rivals as they both wanted to make significant scientific discoveries, amplified by Ger/Fra War (1871), French and German governments wanted to gain honor from them, and provided funding
-However, their research was published in scientific journals and conferences, meaning they could build on each other’s discoveries

Question 4

Antiseptic -> Aseptic surgery (4)

Answer 4

-Germ theory and Lister’s antiseptic techniques were slowly becoming accepted
-Koch developed steam sterilizer (1878), heating equipment and dressings to kill microorganisms
-New techniques developed: preventing microorganisms anywhere near the open wound (aseptic)
-Operations carried out in clean operating theatres, surgeons wore clean clothes, masks and rubber gloves to prevent microorganisms entering wound

Question 5

Blood transfusions (3)

Answer 5

-Karl Landsteiner discovered 4 blood types (1901/2), doctors realized wrong blood type could kill
-Discovery of type O blood being a universal donor (1907)
-However, donor had to be present, and progress in surgery could not occur until prevention of blood clotting and technology to store blood was developed

Question 6

First Magic Bullet (3)

Answer 6

-Paul Ehrlich was a member of Koch’s team; created first ‘magic bullet’ that targeted specific disease
-Significant as it did not affect other cells in the body
-Treated syphilis with Salvarsan 606 after 606 compounds tried (1905)

Question 7

Wilhelm Röntgen’s X-rays (3)

Answer 7

-Röntgen was studying cathode rays, when he found that unknown rays could pass through solid black cards, calling them X-rays, whereas regular light couldn’t (1895)
-Found that it could also pass through bones of his wife’s hand and that it produced an image
-Published his findings but did not patent his work, many hospitals had X-ray machines installed (1896)

Question 8

Uses of X-rays (3)

Answer 8

-Showed details of broken bones so the break could be set in the right position
-Important in war, showed exact location of bullet/shrapnel, meaning surgeons spent less time searching; this reduced chance of infection or vessel damage
-Tuberculosis and bone tumors could be seen, and internal organs could be studied

Question 9

Marie Curie and radioactivity (3)

Answer 9

-Discovered polonium + radium, awarded Nobel Prize (1903) with husband
-Radium Institute created, used radioactivity to shrink or kill tumors which was the basis of radiotherapy still used today, and did not patent her work; doctors used it to experiment with epilepsy and acne treatment
-Dangerous side effects, but benefits were clear; awarded 2nd Nobel Prize (1911)

Question 10

Marie Curie and X-rays (3)

Answer 10

-Curie used her own money to equip WWI ambulances with X-ray equipment (les petites Curies)
-This meant injured soldiers could be X-rayed and operated on ASAP
-International Red Cross made Curie head of Radiological Service, and she ran training courses for medical assistants and doctors