19th Century Public Health

Germ Theory

A scientific theory that proposes that many diseases are caused by microorganisms.

Contagion Theory

Galen's idea that diseases are spread by "seeds" of disease.

Zymotic Theory

The belief that small entities called zyinanes morph into cells and cause disease.

Pathology

The study of the nature and causes of diseases.

Cell Theory

The concept that all living organisms are composed of cells.

Disease Transmission

The process by which diseases are spread from one host to another.

Postulates

Criteria established to identify the causative agents of diseases, including consistent presence in sick bodies and transmission to healthy hosts.

Pasteur

A scientist who studied fermentation and developed pasteurization to kill bacteria in liquids.

Putrefaction

The process of decay or rotting in organic matter.

Antione Bechamp

A scientist who initially proposed fermentation as a chemical process and later challenged the idea of spontaneous generation.

Spontaneous Generation

The disproven theory that living organisms can arise from non-living matter.

Pasteurization

The process of heating liquids to kill bacteria and extend shelf life.

Antiseptic Surgery

Surgical practice using chemicals like Carbolic Acid to prevent infection.

Koch

A scientist who isolated bacteria from living animals and established postulates for identifying disease-causing germs.

Agar

A gelatinous substance used to culture bacteria in laboratories.

Petri Dish

A shallow dish used to hold agar for bacterial culture.

Terrain Theory

The idea that the internal environment of the body influences disease, contrasting with germ theory.

Disproven Postulates

The acknowledgment that Koch's postulates are not always strictly applicable to all diseases.

Viruses

Smaller than bacteria, these microorganisms cannot be cultivated in the same way as bacteria.

HIV and AIDS

The relationship between the HIV virus and AIDS, illustrating exceptions to Koch's postulates.