Germtheorie

Germ theory, or germ theory of disease, is the hypothesis that certain diseases are caused by microscopic organisms. Before the acceptance of germ theory, many believed diseases were caused by miasma or imbalances in the body's humors. Key figures in the development of germ theory include Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch. Pasteur's experiments demonstrated that microorganisms caused spoilage and disease, and he developed pasteurization as a method to kill them. Koch further advanced the theory by identifying specific bacteria responsible for diseases like anthrax, tuberculosis, and cholera. He developed a set of postulates, known as Koch's postulates, which provided a framework for establishing a causal relationship between a specific microorganism and a specific disease. The widespread adoption of germ theory revolutionized medicine and public health, leading to advancements in sanitation, vaccination, and antiseptic techniques, significantly reducing mortality rates from infectious diseases. It is now a fundamental principle in microbiology and medicine.