Germ Theory: Medical Pioneers in Infectious Diseases,
SECOND EDITION
From the ancient worlds of Hippocrates and Avicenna to the early 20th
century hospitals of Paul Ehrlich and Lillian Wald to the modern-day
laboratories of François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, Germ
Theory brings to life the inspiring stories of medical pioneers whose
work helped change the very fabric of our understanding of how we think
about and treat infectious diseases.
In beautifully crafted narratives, author Robert Gaynes describes and
presents compelling stories, including
- How Edward Jenner, the pioneer of vaccination, faced down scores of
naysayers
- How a chance discovery led Louis Pasteur to the idea that the
virulence of microbes can be altered
- How scientists in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark produced
penicillin during World War 2 while keeping their efforts hidden from
the Nazis
The second edition features three new chapters based on interviews with
Nobel Laureates François Barré-Sinoussi and Barry Marshall, and former
NIAID Director and medical advisor to seven U.S. presidents Anthony
Fauci, detailing fascinating accounts from their careers, including
their groundbreaking work in the areas of HIV, peptic ulcers, and
COVID-19, respectively.
Winner of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title award for its first
edition, Germ Theory is required reading for anyone training or
working in the field of infectious diseases or with an interest in
microbes, the history of medicine, or how new discoveries can bring
about paradigmatic shifts in thinking.
