+

History of Microbiology

+Old world views

Disease caused by: Sins Wrong doings Associations with “sick” people Minorities

Cured by: Religious leaders- exorcism, purging “Doctors”- used blood letting

+Common practices of Middle ages

Feces was dumped in the alleys

Dead bodies were left to rot

Food was prepared in filthy kitchens

Hand washing was not considered necessary

Unsterile equipment used for surgeries

Ex: Typhoid Mary-healthy carrier of Typhoid Cook-spread disease to about 50 people (1900’s)

+Start of Microbiology

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek perfected the microscope First saw living organisms from his saliva Called them animacules Presented the idea that we now understand as

microorganisms 1676 Father of Microbiology

+Louis Pasteur

Supported the germ theory of disease

Created the rabies vaccine

Discovered pasteurization- killing bacteria

in products like milk

1860

+Robert Koch

Koch’s postulates- how bacteria cause disease

1860-1900

Identified some of the most harmful bacteria Tuberculosis Anthrax Cholera

+Joseph Lister

Surgeon

1st to use sterile technique

Success rate of surgeries increased as a result

+Modern advances

Sterile surgery is required

Vaccines and antibiotics are readily available

Most harmful bacteria have been identified

Still many risks of a superbug