Learn Astonishing Facts About Louis Pasteur For Kids

Back in the days when not much was known about infections and pathogens, Louis Pasteur, a chemist and microbiologist from France, uncovered a lot about the germ theory.

Now there are medicines for almost all types of infections. Louis Pasteur was a scientist who had a crucial role to play in pioneering modern medicine and the treatment of infections.

Before Pasteur’s work in infectious diseases, there were so many theories around infections. Some thought that these were mainly due to bad blood. While some scientists did discover that pathogens could be the reason behind these infections, there was no concrete proof to validate the same. Then this French scientist revolutionized the study of infectious diseases and proved that germs were the causes of these diseases, including the one that was common in those days, smallpox. After his crucial discoveries in the world of microbiology, people slowly moved from relying on odd remedies to working on ways to fight the germs causing the disease.

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Louis Pasteur Important Inventions

The rabies vaccine was one of the most critical inventions by Pasteur Louis. The vaccine was first administered to Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.

His discoveries were crucial in helping people battling infectious diseases without proper treatment options. His work was mainly focused on the prevention of these infections. His work also led him to believe that some of the most feared infections, like small pox, were all due to pathogens.

He found that an increase in temperature would be a great way to kill germs or pathogens that cause infections in the human body and fermentation of items like milk.

The vaccines that Louis Pasteur developed put an end to rash treatment methods like the insertion of hot pokers in order to cure diseases. His most important inventions were the first vaccines for diseases like fowl cholera, rabies, and anthrax.

Another major contribution of Louis Pasteur to the world of science is the analysis of the silk industry and infections in silkworms. He helped revamp a sluggish silk industry.

Beside his extensive work in the fields of immunology and the immune system, he also studied tartaric acid and discovered the concept of optical isomers.

Why is Louis Pasteur known as the father of microbiology?

In early life, Louis Pasteur, son of Jean-Joseph Pasteur from France, was an average student and he was interested in diverse fields including arts. Louis initially went to a primary school in the region of Arbois. He had a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree, both from the Royal College of Besançon. He further obtained his master of science degree and doctorate degree.

Later, Louis went on to invent some of the foundational concepts in microbiology that shattered the belief that diseases and infections were due to factors like bad blood.

Louis Pasteur married his coworker, Marie Laurent. She worked with him in his early research and also helped nurture the silkworm that he later used in his studies. The couple had five children, and three of them died of typhoid fever.

Pasteur worked at the University of Lille, where most of his scientific research began.

Because of his extensive research in the field of microorganisms and the many vaccines he developed by culturing these microbes to create vaccines and save lives, he is often referred to as the father of modern microbiology.

Louis Pasteur And Relation With Pasteurized Milk

The pasteurization technique is one of the most important inventions by Louis Pasteur, and this technique was named after him. Today, most of us drink pasteurized milk as it is considered to be safe for consumption.

Pasteur invented this method that involves the use of heat to destroy pathogens and thus increase the shelf life of perishables like milk. This came from his research on fermentation and the subsequent discovery that pathogens cause the fermentation process. As a result of pasteurization, the bacterial contamination of milk can be stopped. Besides milk, this method is also widely used in other places. The technique also works well for preventing the fermentation of wine.

Achievements Of Louis Pasteur

Born in 1822 in France, Louis Pasteur, who was once an average student, went on to make some important discoveries in science and also developed vaccinations for deadly infections. The very first vaccine developed by Louis Pasteur was against chicken cholera, a disease that was once a great threat.

Continuing his work in the field of vaccinations, he laid the foundation for the Pasteur Institute. Today, the institute has branches in 29 countries around the world. There have also been several streets named Pasteur Street in order to honor his lifetime of achievements in science.

Pasteur died in 1895 in France after suffering for a few years since his brain stroke in 1868 and another stroke and uremia in 1894.

Back in his time, there were not many honorary awards given to scientists. Even the very popular Nobel Prize was introduced in the early 1900s, which was after his time. So, he did not bag a Nobel Prize or other prestigious awards despite having discovered the fundamental concepts in microbiology.

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