The Germ Theory of Disease

The Germ Theory of Disease is a theory that proposes that tiny organisms know as bacteria are the cause of disease.  The theory was developed by Louis Pasteur in the mid-1800's.  Pasteur was studying the fermentation of milk when he discovered microscopic particales which he called bacteria.  He also discovered that he could kill these bacteria particales with heat.  It was at this point that Pasteur came to the conclusion that bacteria caused disease.  After reading Pasteur's work in 1865, surgeon Joseph Lister used this theory as an explanation as to why so many of his patients were dying of infection. Lister then insisted  that all his surgical wards be kept spotlessly clean.  He found that in doing this 85 percent more of his patients recovered  as opposed to dying.  This cleanliness policy soon spread worldwide and as a result public health went up and people lived longer healthier lives.