The Germ Theory In The Nineteenth Century

The development of the germ theory in the nineteenth century revolutionized the understanding of how diseases were identified, what caused diseases, and set the tone for treatment options. Prior to the theory, methods of identifying and diagnosing a disease were inconsistent and often times too late, thus treatment options were often futile. Prevention was not a viable option due to the lack of understanding how and why certain individuals fell ill, impeding the development of effective treatment options. Germ theory’s emphasis on microbes created opportunities for preventing and treating disease that were once considered fatal. The germ theory’s emergence occurred during an opportune time because the leading causes of death were infectious
One of the most challenging tasks of these germ gospellers was convincing the public that this unseen microbe was present, however it was difficult to induce fear in something you cannot visualize (Tomes). Began linking germs to familiar objects and situations and utilizing moralistic and fear tactics to encourage and convince the the public to modify their behaviors. There was extensive rituals of germ avoidance by utilizing seed and soil metaphors; this imagery helped reconcile the new germ theory of TB with older hygienic traditions which stressed the importance of a strong constitution and a clean environment
Chinese residents in San Francisco faced excessive racism due to be considered the source of disease. The germ theory helped inform that there existed a link between rat epizootic and human outbreaks, and a number of tests confirmed the role of rat fleas in the spread of the plague (Risse). This discredited the notion that humans were carriers of the plague and established the causal agent, thus altering how the disease was combatted. San Francisco implemented local campaigns to eradicate rats during the reemergence of the plague instead of the singling out the Chinese as the source (Risse). Additionally, the germ theory served as a platform to address the racial issues throughout the South. Booker T. Washington and other leaders established the National Negro Health Week, which served to spread the “scientific understanding of germ theory” and drawing attention to the ramifications of segregation and social injustices (Judson). However, there are historical instances where germ theory did elicit fears that negatively impacted certain