Louis Pasteur in Public Health Essay

Louis Pasteur is a man of many talents; his greatest gift was his intelligence and patience without it the medical field and the public health system would not be where it is today. Through his patience and diligence Pasteur was able to make several advances in chemistry, microbiology, immunizations and preservations. In 1857 he developed the Germ Theory of fermentation and putrefaction, these theories assisted in the surgical revolution of antiseptics developed by Joseph Lister. He has laid the foundations for epidemiology and the defining rules for personnel hygiene. Many people believed that his theories were not true and hoped that he would fail however time and time again he proved them wrong. Through his studies and research Pasteur was able to positively impact the nineteenth century by the development of theories such as the Germ Theory and vaccines for several diseases such as anthrax and rabies, which led to the first successful vaccination of humans. He has shown how pathogens could be passed from animals to humans. Louis Pasteur was born in Dole, France on December 27, 1822; as the son of a tanner his father wanted him to get the education that he did not receive. He attended school at â€Å"? cole Primaire and later went to the College d’Arboix but did not finish due to be home sick. In 1842 he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Science at College Royal de Besancon, from there he attended ? cole Normale to earn his Doctorate in Science focusing on physics and chemistry. (Toledo-Pereyra, 2009). In 1849 he married Marie Laurent; she bore him five children through the years, three of the passed away before reaching maturity. Even though Pasteur has been recognized for great accomplishments in the fields of physics, chemistry and microbiology he did not prosper from it. He taught at several colleges as Chemist, and later moved on to being a director or an administrator of the Department of Science. He is one of the founding fathers of microbiology. According to â€Å"Discovery of Pasteurization† (2010), â€Å"Pasteur laid the foundation for all microbiological techniques through his research on Lactic and alcoholic fermentation and defined these principles: All fermentation is caused by a microorganism, there is a particular ferment for every given fermentation, a sterile culture is required for ferment growth, the medium has to be seeded with absolute ferment particles† (Alcoholic Fermentation). Through his studies of fermentation Pasteur was able to denounce the theory of spontaneous generation. â€Å"Spontaneous generation is the supposed development of living organisms from non-living matter. † (American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Ed. ). The denouncement of spontaneous generation and studies of fermentation led to the sterilization of milk, wine and beer, which resulted in improved taste and quality; but also prevented thousands of unnecessary deaths. This process was later named after him and was called pasteurization which is the heating of beverages or food to kill living organisms to prevent spoilage. In 1857 he developed the Germ Theory of fermentation; later named the Germ Theory of disease, this led to Joseph Lister’s development of antiseptics that is now used for surgeries. As Pasteur continued to study micro-organisms he began to take on animal diseases. Through his studies he was able to develop several vaccines and eradicate rabies, also he was able to successful vaccinate human’s from the rabies disease. He was first called upon to investigate the disease of silkworms, which almost devastated the silkworm industry. His studies showed that the worms disease was caused by shiny corpuscles†; an unattached body cell, â€Å"which he later discovered was hereditary and contagious,† (Discovery of Pasteurization, 2010) and soon began suggesting new hygienic measures to properly cultivate the silkworms. Without delay he started to tackle more animal disease specifically Chicken Cholera and Anthrax which were occurring around the same time. Anthrax was slaughtering farm animals mostly, sheep; through investigations of healthy and diseased animals he was able to cultivate a vaccine to control the bacteria. Toledo-Pereyra, 2009), and he did the exact same thing with Chicken Cholera. In 1881 Pasteur began the study of the viral disease called rabies. Rabies attacks the central nervous system of warm blooded animals including humans. According to (Harrigan, 2011). â€Å"Animal symptoms may have the appearance of being sick, crazed, act vicious or may be over friendly, docile, and confused. Human symptoms may be pain or tingling sensation from the bite site, high fever, confusion, seizures and coma. Once an animal or individual is infected and they show signs of symptoms they rarely live. †(Symptoms). Pasteur began his investigations by studying â€Å"infected rabies animals to get an understanding of the disease’s cycle. He discovered that the spinal cords of dying rabbits with rabies could be kept no infected by maintaining them in a sterile, dried air for two weeks. He developed a system of various concentrations of inoculated material; he was able to protect the animals. (Toledo-Pereyra, 2009). According to Encyclopedia of World Biography (2011) On 1885 Pasteur was brought a nine-year-old boy by the name of Joseph Meister who had been badly mauled by a rabid dog, with the permission from the boys physician he administered the vaccination treatments. The child successfully recovered from the rabies virus due to Pasteur’s diligence and since of duty to his country. Louis Pasteur had different methods to help society accept his scientific theories. His most widely used was proof, he showed the people through controlled variable or environment. By letting his work speak for itself, he was able integrate is theories a lot easier. Two of Pasteur’s biggest adversary’s was â€Å"Justus Liebig he tried to disprove Pasteur’s theory on spontaneous generation and the theory of fermentation; and Felix Archimede Pouchet whom questioned his theory of spontaneous generation. †(Schwartz, 2001). He was able to hold his own through methodological research, experimentation, and documentation to prove that his theories were the most accurate. As a testament to time Pasteur’s efforts to rid the world of diseases such as Rabies, Anthrax, and Cholera his theories have rang true. His studies of fermentation, putrefaction and spontaneous generation have led society to be a more hygienic and sufficient place. There are healthier people in the world today, because of his efforts to help people live and for them to understand what was going on despite centuries of beliefs. If it was not for Louis Pasteur the medical profession would have probably just getting to understanding the life of a microorganism. Pasteur has influenced countless people through his work because of the way he presented, explained and proved it. His studies helped Joseph Lister in the surgical field, by showing that there are micro-organisms that are in the air which causes contamination of the wounds. According to New world of Encyclopedia (2008)â€Å"The young boy whose life was saved by Pasteur’s vaccine for rabies worked at the Pasteur Institute, Meister was ordered by German forces occupying Paris to open his crypt, but he committed suicide rather than comply. † The impact the Pasteur had has been greatly felt throughout the world, without his perseverance the world would not be where it is today in regards to the medical field and public health. His desire to understand why things happened and how they happened influenced people to work with his drive, and determination. Pasteur’s willingness to accept change despite the fear it may cause, has shown us that just because something has been thought for centuries does not make it right, and if you do not believe in something find a way through scientific experimentation to be able to disprove it or show that it is right. For almost every experiment that was used to show the population that it was true he did it publicly for all eyes to see so that there was no doubt, and to prove that change is can be good. Louis Pasteur was a great chemist, physicist, and above all else a great teacher. He taught the world that just because you do not see it, does not mean that it is not there. Through his microscope he was able to make drinks healthier, formulate vaccines, and eradicate some the worst diseases that was known to man. Pasteur’s influences have touched each and everyone in some way shape or form. Even though he was doubted and criticized he still did not stop trying to make this world a better place. This man is truly a Public Health figure for all time.