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.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/
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.
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This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh where the originals may be consulted.