Origin of Germ Theory
The average individual, who thinks of the cause of dis-ease and then associates germs as that cause, probably does not realize that the germ theory of the cause of dis-ease only dates back to about 1880. He does not realize that the man who decided germs cause dis-ease died in 1895. However, it is true that as early as 1675 a Dutch lens-maker published the fact that he had manufactured a lens of such high power that “animalcules” could be seen in water. He also asserted that microörganisms could be found in feces. However, they were associated with dis-ease only in a speculative way; even Aristotle in the second century speculated on microörganisms as the cause of dis-ease, but this was only theory as he could not prove it, having no microscopes with which to study the germs nor any methods of isolating them. It was not until Louis Pasteur began his research work in bacteriology that scientists considered there was proof that germs caused dis-ease, and since that time medical science has gone to the extreme along this line.
The germ theory of dis-ease has gained such favor that great amounts of money and the very best talent have been lent to the investigations. But as time has gone on and the zenith of this doctrine has been reached, we find the theory has been questioned until today even those who were previously advocates of this theory are now doubting or rejecting it. Many questions are being raised concerning dis-ease being the direct result of the introduction of bacteria and germs into the body. It is now maintained by the best authorities, among those who previously asserted that germs were the cause of dis-ease, that dis-ease is the cause of the germs.