Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1899

LOUIS PASTEUR (1822-1895) La théorie des germes et ses applications à la médecine et à la chirurgie. G. Masson 1878 23 pp. 22.3 cm.

For more information on this author or work, see number: 1897

In this important lecture to Paris' Académie de Médecine, Pasteur presented some early and key concepts of bacteriology which were instrumental in the evolution of asepsis. Pasteur discussed the existence of anaerobic and aerobic organisms, defined what later proved to be bacterial toxins, differentiated between virulent and avirulent bacteria, considered specificity of bacteria, superinfection, interference, as well as bacterial antagonism and protagonism. In addition, he stressed the importance of the role of germs in infections and emphasized the need for proper antiseptic and sterilization procedures in order to avoid the chance of infection.

Gift of John Martin, M.D.