| Date | 1876 |
| Author | Klebs |
| Contribution | Published comprehensive theory of the bacterial causation of disease. |
| Reference | Carter (see Notes) |
| Notes | Analysed by K. C. Carter, Bull. Hist. Med., 75: 771-781, 2001. Edwin Klebs dealt with schizomycetes, by which he meant bacteria and fungi. His theory rested on 4 "fundamental" postulates: the microorganisms (1) never occur in the tissues or fluids of healthy animals; (2) do not arise spontaneously, even in a medium suitable for their growth; (3) do not confer pathogenicity on medium in which they have grown and from which they have been removed; and (4) occur in distinguishable forms that are responsible for distinguishable diseases. Carter argues that, whereas earlier germ-theory investigators considered microbial causation exceptional among diseases, Klebs considered it the norm. |
| Category | Causation |
| Pathogen Class | Bacteria |
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