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Accelerating change, 1875 to 1905: Koch, Ehrlich and chemistry
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In the late 1800s, scientists identified the germs behind individual diseases, and surgery became much safer.
Koch and bacteriology
Robert Koch identified the bacteria causing particular diseases: anthrax (1876), tuberculosis (1882) and cholera (1883).
He developed methods to grow and stain bacteria, starting the science of bacteriology.
He developed methods to grow and stain bacteria, starting the science of bacteriology.
Aseptic surgery and new science
Aseptic surgery aimed to keep germs out of the operating theatre altogether: sterilised instruments, gowns, masks and rubber gloves.
X-rays were discovered by Röntgen in 1895. Marie Curie researched radioactivity.
Blood groups were discovered by Landsteiner in 1901, a key step towards safe blood transfusions.
X-rays were discovered by Röntgen in 1895. Marie Curie researched radioactivity.
Blood groups were discovered by Landsteiner in 1901, a key step towards safe blood transfusions.
Ehrlich and chemistry
Paul Ehrlich searched for chemical 'magic bullets' that would kill specific germs without harming the body.
In 1909 his team found Salvarsan 606, the first effective chemical cure for syphilis.
In 1909 his team found Salvarsan 606, the first effective chemical cure for syphilis.
Explain the difference between antiseptic and aseptic surgery.
- Antiseptic surgery kills germs on wounds and instruments, as Lister did.
- Aseptic surgery stops germs getting near the patient at all.
- It uses sterilised equipment, gowns and gloves.
Answer: Antiseptic kills germs; aseptic keeps them out.
Koch identified the germs behind specific diseases (TB 1882) and founded bacteriology. Aseptic surgery kept germs out. X-rays (1895), Curie's radioactivity research and Landsteiner's blood groups (1901) advanced medicine. Ehrlich's Salvarsan 606 (1909) was the first magic bullet.
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