The Germ Theory of Disease

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mikemarotta
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The Germ Theory of Disease

#1 Post by mikemarotta » Thu Feb 17, 2022 12:39 am

Human Biology: Human Anatomy and Physiology by Christine Miller
Almost a century passed [after Jenner in 1795] before the next vaccine was discovered, a vaccine for cholera in 1879. Around the same time, French chemist Louis Pasteur found evidence that many human diseases are caused by germs, which earned him the title of “father of germ theory.” Since Pasteur’s time, vaccines have been discovered for scores of additional diseases caused by germs, and scientists are currently researching vaccines for many others. https://jwu.pressbooks.pub/humanbiology/
Pasteur proved the theory with blind experiments. In the generation before, among those who subscribed to the germ theory of disease was John Leonard Riddell, later chief melter for the US Branch Mint at New Orleans and postmaster for New Orleans.

On February 3, 1836, Riddell read this paper, On the Nature of Miasm and Contagion, before the Cincinnati Medical Society. Even though Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s microscope revealed so-called “animalcules” (little animals) in the late 1600s. A hundred and fifty years later, germs were regarded as a consequence of disease, not a cause of disease. Riddell argued for the germ theory of disease and stood firmly against the miasma theory. The miasma theory said that sickness comes from breathing bad air, hence the name “mal-aria.” Riddell continued this fight for another 20 years. But he died before the work of Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister provided experimental proof. Riddell had only observation and logic on his side.

“I claim for the corpuscles which cause malarious and infectious maladies, trans-microscopic as they are, the humble rank of belonging near the lower confines of organic nature. Perhaps they hold nearly the same grade in respect to animate and sentient beings, which the more simple and minute of the Fungi and Algae do to the more perfect tribes of vegetables. Inconceivably minute as they doubtless are, they must yet possess a share of vitality, because like other animals and plants which come under our observation, they have the power of propagating and extending themselves indefinitely.”

Citing experiments carried out by others, Riddell said that some microscopic creatures survive extremes in temperature. Others can be dried and re-animated repeatedly. Many microscopic creatures eat decaying organic while some attack other living creatures in their realm. On the other hand, careful chemical analysis of the atmosphere devoid of any particles larger than molecules of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc., never reveals any “miasmic” agent.

Also, it is known that the smallest measure of “animalcules” reproduce, grow, and thrive. However, a simple chemical burn to the hand does no more damage than at first and cannot be passed on to another person by contact, once the action has stopped. While some small creatures do have very short periods of growth and development, generally, disease germs require some “latent period” or time to reproduce enough of themselves to make someone sick. Chemical poisons, however, act quickly and completely.

Experiments with the “bad air” from swamps and marshes always reveals the presence of small living creatures. It is those that cause malaria, cholera, and other diseases, not any mysterious inorganic chemical. Moreover, by having a person exhale through distilled water, it is possible to trap and identify many kinds of little creatures. That demonstrates how these diseases are passed from person to person. Riddell even touched on a theory of evolution.

He argued that the lifecycles of these microscopic organisms only reflects the larger, universal cycle of life.
Riddell, John Leonard. Memoir on the Nature of Miasm and Contagion. read before the Cincinnati Medical Society, February, 3, 1836; Cincinnati: N.S. Johnson, 1836.
Persistent URL: https://wellcomelibrary.org/item/b21936511
Catalogue record: https://search.wellcomelibrary.org/iii/ ... _Rb2193651
This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh where the originals may be consulted.
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Michael E. Marotta
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apochronaut
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#2 Post by apochronaut » Thu Feb 17, 2022 2:18 am

Pasteur , later in his life realized that in fact while germs can cause disease, they are not bound to, that they require a fertile and hospitable breeding ground to prosper A distinct step forward for the germ theory and something that seems to have gotten lost in the mass hysteria surrounding Covid19.

Dubious
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#3 Post by Dubious » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:43 pm

Kuddos to Riddell and other microscope wielders! From our vantage point, it's difficult to understand how logically-thinking scientists of that time could reconcile the miasma theory of disease with the observed nature of contagious diseases and their reproduction periods. But, there was a deeply-rooted science of poisons, going back to the beginning of recorded history; and at the time, it was quite reasonable to extend that to a miasma theory. In fact, anything else would probably have seemed illogical, introducing phantastical and unneeded complexity.

apochronaut
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#4 Post by apochronaut » Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:04 am

It does depend however on how small a partical one is willing to include in the cycle of life or one's definition of living. During the 19th century no one knew of such things as virions. It could be demonstrated that a filtrate that was free of any microscopic bodies could still go cloudy and cause disease in test subjects. Today we know that the Hanta vurus is airborne and can be contracted simply by breathing the bad air in the vicinity of the droppings from infected mice. Are those virions particles or living beings?

teisharosingdpj29
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#5 Post by teisharosingdpj29 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 12:42 pm

apochronaut wrote:
Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:04 am
It does depend however on how small a partical one is willing to include in the cycle of life or one's definition of living. During the 19th century no one knew of such things as virions. It could be demonstrated that a filtrate that was free of any microscopic bodies could still go cloudy and cause disease in test subjects. Today we know that the Hanta vurus is airborne and can be contracted simply by breathing the bad air in the vicinity of the droppings from infected mice. Are those virions particles or living beings?
Now there are so many diseases in the world that it is really scary to read something about it. About microbes, this is generally a separate topic, I have goosebumps from my thoughts now. I recently wrote a diabetes essay if you want linked here about it. This is also not a pleasant thing. What I'm leading to is that there used to be much less of any viruses and the like. Every year, because of our ecology, more and more scientists find new diseases and viruses. It's getting a little scary!
Previously, no one knew anything at all, and how everyone lived!
Last edited by teisharosingdpj29 on Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hobbyst46
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#6 Post by Hobbyst46 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 2:21 pm

To this forum, bacteria and virions are more like playthings. The real disease is the spammers. They probably multiply by division as well.

GerryR
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Re: The Germ Theory of Disease

#7 Post by GerryR » Thu Aug 25, 2022 10:48 pm

A good text to read is "Turtles All The Way Down; Vaccine Science and Myth." It covers a lot about disease and the development of "cures."

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