Second half of Industrial time Flashcards
What was the old belief in spontaneous generation?
This was developed in the early 1800s as an alternative to the Four Humours theory. It was helped by early microscopes that could identify tiny, what looked like, animals on decaying matter like rotting food. The basic idea was that these microbes on food were the result of decay rather than the cause of it. Scientists had cause and effect mixed up.
What was said in Pasteur’s new Germ Theory after 1861?
The Germ Theory said the following four things. 1. The air contains living microbes, 2. Microbes in the air cause decay. 3. Microbes are not evenly distributed in the air. 4. Microbes can be killed by heating them.
The theory proved the old belief in spontaneous generation wrong, but it was slow to be accepted by people in Britain.
How was Pasteur’s germ theory was gradually accepted in Britain?
1861 - Pasteur identified microbes were causing decay in wine.
1870 - John Tyndall theorised disease could be spread through dust particles.
1880s - Robert Koch began methodising how to identify specific germs.
1884 - The British government ignored Koch’s work in India on how cholera was caused by a specific microbe.
By 1900 - Scientists were using Koch’s work to search for specific cures that targeted specific germs.
1915 - Dr. Bastien, a well respected doctor who had encouraged continued belief in Spontaneous Generation died.
What was Louis Pasteur’s importance?
Came up with Germ theory. He developed the theory while working out that decay did not happen if matter was left “undisturbed” by the air (sterilised).
What was John Tyndall’s importance?
Discovered there were small organic particles in the air. He gave a lecture in 1870 that linked Pasteur’s work to that of a surgeon, Joseph Lister, who had been fighting infection using the principles of germ theory.
What was Robert Koch’s importance?
Discovered specific germs that cause specific illness.
When were specific germs were discovered?
1882 - Tuberculosis 1883 - Cholera 1884 - Cholera proven to spread through water supply 1884 - Meningitis 1894 - Plague (Yersinia Pestis)
