Louis Pasteur

The scientific contribution of Louis Pasteur, French microbiologist is among the most valuable in the history of science. He was born 1822 at a small village in eastern France. His father and grandfather were tanners and yet as a boy he got knowledge in chemical treating of hides. One day he saw a rabid dog to run through the village and to bite a neighboring peasant. In spite of burning the wound in the near smithy the peasant died in some days. Young Louis was very impressed by this event and he swore to make everything to battle the disease.

After finishing the primary school Pasteur was admitted to the famous Ecole Superieure in Paris. Having graduated this higher school he taught chemistry and physics at different schools and began his scientific research on fermentation and development of bacteria. He determined that fermentation was the result of the activity of minute organisms. Pasteur showed that milk or beer could be soured by invading a number of such organisms. Besides he was dealing with medical problems, his interest turned to the structure of blood and blood transfusion. He suggested as a first the group classification of human blood and tried to precede it for transfusion to wounded soldiers on the front during the French-Prussian war 1870. Due to scoundrel deeds of his enemies it failed. Pasteur had to escape to Britain where he continued the works on beer. Following an investigation conducted both in France and by brewers in London he devised a procedure for manufacturing beer that would prevent its deterioration with time. British exporters were able to send beer even as far as India without fear of its deteriorating.

Having returned to France Pasteur perfected a technique for reducing the virulence of various disease-producing microorganisms. He had observed that if animals stricken with certain diseases had recovered, they became later immune to a new attack. Thus by isolating the germ of the disease and by cultivating its weakened form to be later inoculated, he could immunize animals against maladies. He succeeded in vaccination a herd of sheep against anthrax. Likewise he was able to protect fowl from chicken cholera. By further work he could obtain a weakened form of the virus that could be used for inoculation. Having detected the rabies virus by the effect on the nervous system, he applied this procedure to man. 1885 he saved the life of a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog.

That was Pasteur¢ s victory over rabies, an outstanding success. Pasteur was awarded many decorations, and he became a head of the special Research Institute named after him. And now he is regarded as one of the greatest personalities in France.

Задание 73. Расскажите о достижениях Луи Пастера, ответьте на вопросы: 1. Why are bacteria dangerous for people? 2. What dangerous disease could overcome Louis Pasteur? 3. What is the principal content of vaccination? 4. What is the meaning of the term “pasteurization”?