Behring Discovers the Diphtheria Antitoxin
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science, Medicine, Health
- Subcategories: Biology, Biologists, Doctors, Physicians, Nurses, Epidemics, Diseases
- Curriculum: 20th & 21st Century European History, 19th Century European History, British History, German History
- Geographical Location: Berlin
- Date: 1890-1901
Article abstract: Behring discovered that a toxin produced by the causative agent of diphtheria could be destroyed by blood serum derived from immunized animals, thus leading to the development of a vaccine.
Summary of Event
During the nineteenth century, there was an enormous growth of knowledge in the field of bacteriology. Much of the expansion resulted from discoveries by German bacteriologist Robert Koch and French chemist Louis Pasteur. The two scientists are considered the founders of modern medical bacteriology and were instrumental in...
[The entire page is 1611 words long]
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