Difference between revisions of "Germ theory of disease"
(The idea that infection could be spread by invisible substances was oppsed vigorously by doctors in Vienna when proposed by Ignaz Semmelweis.) |
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| − | The '''Germ theory of disease''', developed in the 1860s and 1870s by [[Louis Pasteur]], states that [[microorganisms|tiny "living beings"]] are the cause of infectious diseases. [http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/biol2007.htm#sta20005.htm#microorganism] | + | The '''Germ theory of disease''', developed in the 1860s and 1870s by [[Louis Pasteur]], states that [[microorganisms|tiny "living beings"]] are the cause of infectious diseases. [http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/biol2007.htm#sta20005.htm#microorganism] Like evilution, it is just a theory and not a fact. We don't now if it's true. It isn't prooved. |
Pasteur's proof of this theory involved the first scientific experiment to falsify a hypothesis, ushering an era of scientific medicine. | Pasteur's proof of this theory involved the first scientific experiment to falsify a hypothesis, ushering an era of scientific medicine. | ||
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The theory that bacteria (and later, viruses) cause disease eventually became a corner of modern medicine, but first it faced an uphill battle. | The theory that bacteria (and later, viruses) cause disease eventually became a corner of modern medicine, but first it faced an uphill battle. | ||
| − | The idea that infection could be spread by invisible substances was oppsed vigorously by doctors in Vienna when proposed by [[Ignaz Semmelweis]]. He reduced the incidence of mothers dying after childbirth from infection from 20% to near-zero, but other doctors resisted his efforts and got him fired. | + | The idea that infection could be spread by invisible substances was oppsed vigorously by doctors in Vienna when proposed by [[Ignaz Semmelweis]]. He reduced the incidence of mothers dying after childbirth from infection from 20% to near-zero, but other doctors resisted his efforts and got him fired. This is because the idea of tiny, invisible, living things designed to make people ill is really unlikely. |
Only after the germ theory was championed by Pasteur (see [[pasteurization]]) and Lister (namesake of [[Listerine]] mouthwash) did [[antiseptic medicine]] become popular. | Only after the germ theory was championed by Pasteur (see [[pasteurization]]) and Lister (namesake of [[Listerine]] mouthwash) did [[antiseptic medicine]] become popular. | ||
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Prior to germ theory, it was widely believed that disease was spread by smell.{{cn}} As disease-spreading conditions - rotting meat, open sewage, and such things - was often highly odorous, the smell and disease were associated. Disease was also often attributed to demonic influence - although demonic posession must exist as it it mentioned in Scripture<ref>Mark 5:1-13</ref>, it is a rare occurance, and almost all disease attributed to it was a result of other causes. | Prior to germ theory, it was widely believed that disease was spread by smell.{{cn}} As disease-spreading conditions - rotting meat, open sewage, and such things - was often highly odorous, the smell and disease were associated. Disease was also often attributed to demonic influence - although demonic posession must exist as it it mentioned in Scripture<ref>Mark 5:1-13</ref>, it is a rare occurance, and almost all disease attributed to it was a result of other causes. | ||
| − | The [[Christian Scientist]] sect, founded by [[Mary Baker Eddy]], believes that the Germ Theory of Disease is not true and that it is contradicted by Scripture.<ref>http://www.spirituality.com/tte/article_display.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Feb2006/1140106869.xml</ref> God created all life, and so all life should reflect His glory and inherent goodness - God could not have created pathogenic organisms, as these are inherently contary to His nature. | + | The [[Christian Scientist]] sect, founded by [[Mary Baker Eddy]], believes that the Germ Theory of Disease is not true and that it is contradicted by Scripture.<ref>http://www.spirituality.com/tte/article_display.jhtml?ElementId=/repositories/shcomarticle/Feb2006/1140106869.xml</ref> God created all life, and so all life should reflect His glory and inherent goodness - God could not have created pathogenic organisms, as these are inherently contary to His nature. Also, he wouldn't punish good, GOD-fearing people by sending disease, so ill people must have done something wrong. |
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
Revision as of 16:52, March 22, 2007
The Germ theory of disease, developed in the 1860s and 1870s by Louis Pasteur, states that tiny "living beings" are the cause of infectious diseases. [1] Like evilution, it is just a theory and not a fact. We don't now if it's true. It isn't prooved. Pasteur's proof of this theory involved the first scientific experiment to falsify a hypothesis, ushering an era of scientific medicine.
He showed that the theory of spontaneous generation was false, by placing one piece of meat under a glass jar and another in an open dish. He observed flies landing on the exposed meat, but of course flies could not penetrate the glass jar. Flies did not come out of nothing, but from eggs deposited by flies which he could easily see landing on the exposed meat.
The theory that bacteria (and later, viruses) cause disease eventually became a corner of modern medicine, but first it faced an uphill battle. The idea that infection could be spread by invisible substances was oppsed vigorously by doctors in Vienna when proposed by Ignaz Semmelweis. He reduced the incidence of mothers dying after childbirth from infection from 20% to near-zero, but other doctors resisted his efforts and got him fired. This is because the idea of tiny, invisible, living things designed to make people ill is really unlikely.
Only after the germ theory was championed by Pasteur (see pasteurization) and Lister (namesake of Listerine mouthwash) did antiseptic medicine become popular.
Prior to germ theory, it was widely believed that disease was spread by smell.[Citation Needed] As disease-spreading conditions - rotting meat, open sewage, and such things - was often highly odorous, the smell and disease were associated. Disease was also often attributed to demonic influence - although demonic posession must exist as it it mentioned in Scripture[1], it is a rare occurance, and almost all disease attributed to it was a result of other causes.
The Christian Scientist sect, founded by Mary Baker Eddy, believes that the Germ Theory of Disease is not true and that it is contradicted by Scripture.[2] God created all life, and so all life should reflect His glory and inherent goodness - God could not have created pathogenic organisms, as these are inherently contary to His nature. Also, he wouldn't punish good, GOD-fearing people by sending disease, so ill people must have done something wrong.
Reference
External links
- Lecture notes for a course at Ohio State University