Paper
Louis Pasteur was born on December 27, 1822, in D?le, a small town in France. He grew in a humble family and his father was a tanner. He graduated in 1840 from the College of Arts at Besancon and entered the prestigious Ecole Namale Supervieure, Paris, to work for his doctorate degree. He chose for his studies the then obscure science of crystallography, which was to have a great influence on his career.
Pasteur entered the scientific world as a professor of physics at the Lycee of Tournon and started his research on the optical properties of crystals of tartaric acid salts. He found the two forms of this acid which could rotate the plane of polarization of light, one to the right and the other to the left. This was his first important discovery in crystallography, the phenomenon of optical isomers. Paradoxically it incited him to abandon the field. But it won the acclaim of the French Academy and Britain’s Royal Society. Thus Pasteur became famous at the age of 26.
Pasteur soon began researching the complexities of bacteriology. The prevalent theory of life at the time was spontaneous generation which states that certain forms of life such as flies, worms, and mice can develop from non-living matter such as mud and decaying fish. Pasteur disproved this theory with a simple experiment. He showed that microorganisms would grow in sterilized broth only if the broth was first exposed to air containing spores, or reproductive cells. His findings led to the development of the cell theory of the origin of living matter which states that all life originates from preexisting living material.
In 1849, Pasteur became professor of chemistry at the University of Strasbourg, where he began studying fermentation, a type of chemical breakdown of substances by microbes. He served the rest of his career as Dean of Sciences at the University of Lille. Soon after his arrival at Lille, Pasteur was asked to solve the problems of the local industries, vinegar and silk manufacture.
A producer of vinegar from beet juice wanted to know why the product was sometimes spoilt. On examining the juice microscopically, Pasteur observed that the contaminant, amyl alcohol, was optically active. This gave clear evidence that it was produced by a living organism. Pasteur then proposed a biological interpretation of the process of fermentation. He demonstrated that when no contamination by living contagion took place, the process of fermentation or putrefaction did not take place. Thus the celebrated techniques of Pasteurization, came into being, it could not only preserve wine and milk but drastically cut inflation in the surgeon’s operating table. Today pasteurization follows closely the early techniques of Louis Pasteur. In the case of milk pasteurization, the milk is heated to 161?F for 15 seconds followed by a rapid cooling to 50?F or lower. This process removes any unwanted bacteria, but also kills any beneficial bac!
teria and reduces some of the nutritive property of milk.
The Franco-Prussian War opened an avenue to press his microbial theory of infection, he got the grudging agreement of the military medical corps to sterilize instruments and steam bandages. As a result, thousands of lives were saved. In 1873, Pasteur was elected to the French Academy of Medicine, a spectacular achievement for a person without a medical degree.
Pasteur was now ready to move from the simpler forms of life in the microbial world to the diseases of the higher animals. The opportunity came through a devastating outbreak of anthrax, a killer plague of sheep in 1876. Pasteur tried to produce pure cultures, his objective was to fight the disease and not just to describe it.
Pasteur had accidentally forgotten in a corner of the laboratory a culture of fowl cholera and noticed that it had lost some of its virulence. Then he vaccinated some chicken which resisted the disease. The same technique, after improvement, was applied against bacillus anthracis: sheep inoculated with the vaccine survived and the non-vaccinated ones died. A scourge that had crippling economic effects was brought under control. Simultaneously, the principle of immunization or the protection of the body through vaccines was discovered.
In 1865, the silk industry of France faced an economic ruin by an epidemic among silkworms. He proceeded to the south of France and set up an improvised laboratory. He isolated the pathogens causing the disease and after three years of intensive work, he suggested suitable remedies. This achievement coincided with personal tragedy in his life: his two daughters died of typhoid fever in 1866. In 1868, he suffered a set back in health, his left arm and leg being permanently paralyzed. Nonetheless, he continued with grim determination, his study of silkworm diseases, which he perceived, will help control diseases of higher animals, including man.
Pasteur then started work on rabies, the disease of animals, particularly dogs. The causative agent was a virus, an entity not capable of growth in scientists’ broth, which nurtured bacteria. Pasteur worked for five years to isolate and culture the pathogen. Finally he prepared a vaccine for injection. Animals could now be saved but the effect of trying out on humans had to wait.
On July 6, 1885, Joseph Meister with 18 bites from a rabid dog, was brought to Pasteur. He treated him over a 12-day period with the vaccine and the boy was saved.
Pasteur is remembered for his innovative work as a teacher. He introduced changes every year in the material he taught in his class, as his main concern was to present an image of science open to debate and discussion rather than based on fixed notions. All along his career, Pasteur maintained a meticulous record of his laboratory work, in which he noted every day all his observations: description of experiments, new projects, notes on techniques of brewers, wine growers, sericulturists, drafts of letters, papers to scientific societies. Due to the extreme rigor and care with which Pasteur used to write his notes, they became an essential work tool.
Pasteur’s seventieth birthday in 1892 was celebrated in a unique way, by being observed as a national holiday in France. His address on this occasion carried a thoughtful message: “You bring me the greatest happiness that can be experienced by a man whose invincible belief is that science and peace will triumph over ignorance and war…. In the long run the future will belong not to the conquerors but to the saviors of mankind”.
Pasteur, honored by the world but unaffected, died on September 28, 1895, he was buried in a crypt in the Pasteur Institute.
In 1940, the conquering Germans came to Paris. A German officer demanded to see the tomb of Pasteur, but the old French guard refused to open the gate. When the German insisted, the guard killed himself. The latter was Joseph Meister, whom Pasteur had saved from hydrophobia.
Louis Pasteur made many valuable contributions to the fields of chemistry, medicine, and industry with findings and research still applicable today. In making discoveries concerning the spreading of diseases he was able to prevent the loss of many lives. Pasteur was a remarkable scientist who put his basic discoveries to use in everyday problems in health and industry.
Другие работы по теме:
Is It Better To Be Feared Than
Loved Essay, Research Paper Machiavelli was a man who was not worried about what was morally correct, but rather, what was politically deserved. He was in fact an honest and religious man, but he has become known for trickery and double-dealing. He thought that princes would have to start tricking his enemies, or even his people for the good of his state.
Life Essay Research Paper You have been
Life Essay, Research Paper You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories)
Europe Essay Research Paper EuropeFrom June 31
Europe Essay, Research Paper Europe From June 31 to July 31 1997, my family went to Europe. We went on 4 airplanes the whole trip. We went to 7 countries. Now I will tell you about my trip.
Treasure Isand Essay Research Paper Robert Louis
Treasure Isand Essay, Research Paper Robert Louis StevensonA thriller… Treasure Island is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of yourseat. When I read it I sat down and read it for hours. I could barley put itdown. All 296 pages are filled with suspense, action, and power. The authormakes you feel like your right there on Treasure Island with Jim Hawkins,Mr.
Twenty And Ten Essay Research Paper The
Twenty And Ten Essay, Research Paper The name of the book: TWENTY AND TEN THE AUTHOR: CLAIRE HUCHET BISHOP THE PUBLISHER: SCHOLASTIC INC. COPYRIGHT DATE: 1980
Morals As Depicted In The Great Gatsby
Essay, Research Paper Morals as Depicted in The Great Gatsby The East and the Midwest are symbols of different moral attitudes and life-styles in the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Tom Buchanan, Daisy and Jordan Baker were all born and at least spent most of their lifetime in the West.
La Madeleine Church Essay Research Paper La
La Madeleine Church Essay, Research Paper La Madeleine is a church in Paris that started during the reign XV, and designed by Constant d’Ivry using plans based on the St-Louis-des-Invalide church.
Tina Turner Essay Research Paper Tina Turner
Tina Turner Essay, Research Paper Tina Turner Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock In 1939 on a small farm in Nutbush, Tennessee. At the age of 13, she was left with out a mother and a father. Anna went to live with her cousin in St. Louis. When she was 16 she would go to clubs with her sister in St. Louis. While in these clubs she saw a band called The Kings of Rhythm .
Minister Louis Farakan Essay Research Paper In
Minister Louis Farakan Essay, Research Paper In today’s society it does not take much to bring about a change in the way we as a people think. In the prompt, choosing a living man or woman who has influenced the way we think, Minister Louis Farakan comes to mind. In his efforts to unite the men of the African American community, there were a lot of negative and positive reactions.
Lumiere Brothers Essay Research Paper Documentary FilmsA
Lumiere Brothers Essay, Research Paper Documentary Films A peek at the Lumiere Brothers A documentary usually captures the truth on camera. Louis and Auguste Lumiere projected the first film for a paying audience in March 1895 called Workers leaving the factory. Then later on the brothers screened ten films.
Early Health And Medicine Essay Research Paper
Early Health and Medicine Today our personal health is often something we take for granted, because over the years we have developed more advanced vitimens, medicines, and cures for numerous sicknesses. In the early days, getting sick was much more terrifying than it is today. The cures for diseases were not much healthier than the diseases themselves.
Louis Pasteur Essay Research Paper The French
Louis Pasteur Essay, Research Paper The French chemist Louis Pasteur devoted his life to solving practical problems of industry, agriculture, and medicine. His discoveries have saved countless lives and created new wealth for the world. Among his discoveries are the pasteurization process and ways of preventing silkworm diseases, anthrax, chicken cholera, and rabies.
Prophet Of Rage
– Louis Farrakhan Essay, Research Paper Prophet of Rage: Louis Farrakhan Prophet of rage? Louis Farrakhan is exactly that. He is the fearless spokesman for black America, who is unafraid to speak for his people. This is Louis Farrakhan. This book is authored by Arthur J. Magida, and speaks the controversial truth about Mr.
Luis Armstrong Essay Research Paper Louis ArmstrongLouis
Luis Armstrong Essay, Research Paper Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong was the most influential person in jazz’s history. He contributed greatly to the growth of jazz and was able to play in a variety of ways. His amazing and interesting life came from his straight talent for the music. He deserved every bit of fame he got simply because he was an incredible musician.
Cellular Life Essay Research Paper In this
Cellular Life Essay, Research Paper In this paper I will show my knowledge of many different topics of Cellular Life. I will explain the theory of biogenesis, cell theory, the history of both and how they tie in together. I will also state the scientific method and why it is important to science.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Absolute Monarchs Essay Research Paper An absolute
Absolute Monarchs Essay, Research Paper An absolute monarch is a ruler whose power is unlimited, this is known as absolutism. This essay will discuss the characteristics of absolutism and how they affected 17th century absolute monarchs.
Rabies Essay Research Paper RabiesThe final and
Rabies Essay, Research Paper Rabies The final and certainly most famous success of Pasteur’s research was the development of a vaccine against rabies or hydrophobia as it is also known. The disease has always had a hold on the public imagination and has been looked upon with horror. It evokes visions of “raging victims, bound and howling, or asphyxiated between two mattresses” (Duclaux).
Louis Xiv Essay Research Paper Jeff NataleEarly
Louis Xiv Essay, Research Paper Jeff Natale Early Modern Europe Prof. Taravella The Age of Absolutism The Age of Absolutism is the period of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Most states in Europe had monarchs who wished to create absolute authority, France had the best system of absolute monarchy because they were able to create a central royal political system.
Louis Riel Essay Research Paper Louis RielLouis
Louis Riel Essay, Research Paper Louis Riel Louis Riel should not have been hung because he represented those who couldn t represent themselves. Louis Riel was disappointed with the way the M tis were, so he took it upon himself to represent the M tis and their rights. Even though the actions that followed, such as keeping the new governor out the colony, were illegal and very wrong.
Louis Riel Hero Or Traitor Essay Research
Paper Louis Riel: Traitor or Hero? Louis Riel was an interesting character. He was Metis, educated in Montreal. When Canada bought land between Ontario and British Columbia from The Hudson Bay Company, Riel urged them to stand up to the government. For they were moving in and just giving away land that the Metis had been living on for years.
Louis Armstrong Bio Essay Research Paper Louis
Louis Armstrong Bio Essay, Research Paper Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong was one of the most influential artists of the century. Armstrong influenced trumpeters as well as all jazz music, and a wide range of popular music. He is best known for helping to pioneer a style known as swing, after which sprouted rhythm-and-blues (R&B) music.
Louis Pasteur Essay Research Paper Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur Essay, Research Paper Louis Pasteur was an example of a truly gifted person who made many wildly diverse discoveries in many different areas of science. He was a world-renowned French chemist and biologist whose work paved the way for branches of science and medicine such as stereochemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology.
Apple Cider Essay Research Paper The Young
Apple Cider Essay, Research Paper The Young Students Learning Library defines fermentation as a chemical change caused by many different kinds of bacteria, molds, and yeasts. These different types of fermentation give off certain chemicals. The chemicals found in most are enzymes. An enzyme is a chemical compound that makes the chemical reaction faster.
Absolutism And Louis Xiv Essay Research Paper
Absolutism and Louis XIV Louis XIV of France had had both a long and powerful reign on the throne. He was able to achieve this due to the development of absolutism in France. Absolutism is defined as the political idea that absolute power should be vested in a single ruler. The whole idea of absolutism originally came from philosopher Jean Bodin in the 16th Century.
Louis Xvi Essay Research Paper Bertrand
Louis Xvi Essay, Research Paper Bertrand, Louis, LouisXVI , New York: Longmans, Green and Co, 1928, 355pp. The reign of Louis XVI as described in this wonderful pice of literature, is glorified as being one of the few great ages in the history of western man. During his rule, the French culture achieved a perfection that was formerly unknown.