The Scientific Rivalry: Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch

Louis Pasteur, a 50-year-old French chemist known for his research on microbes and wine preservation, and Robert Koch, a 30-year-old German doctor, were introduced. Pasteur's work focused on analyzing wine and beer fermentation, while Koch was concerned with investigating the cause of a disease affecting livestock.

In the late 19th century, epidemics like tuberculosis, diphtheria, cholera, and plague were rampant, causing significant population decline. The prevailing theories attributed these diseases to heredity, divine punishment, or unsanitary conditions, until the discovery of microbes as the actual transmitters of epidemics.

The French credited Louis Pasteur's work, while the Germans praised Robert Koch's discoveries as the catalysts for a scientific revolution in understanding the role of microbes in transmitting diseases. Their rivalry fueled advancements in medical science.

In 1872, Louis Pasteur, aged 50, retired due to health issues after years of intense work. Despite suffering a stroke and personal tragedies, including the loss of three children to illness, Pasteur continued his groundbreaking research on microbes and disease transmission.

In the German village of Wollstein, Dr. Robert Koch, a young physician, focused on investigating anthrax, a disease devastating livestock. Koch's discovery of bacteria in infected animals led him to experiment with cultivating and transmitting these bacteria to healthy animals to prove their role in causing the disease.

After months of testing, a breakthrough is made when a doctor discovers that bacteria can be cultivated in the eyes of a cow. The doctor receives valuable bacteria samples from the slaughterhouse manager for free, as they are crucial for the experiments. The liquid from the cow's intraocular cavity, rich in nutrients, is used as a culture medium for rapid bacterial growth. The doctor plans to inject the cultured bacteria into a healthy animal for further study.

A rabbit infected with the cultured bacteria dies from anthrax, proving that the disease is caused by microbes. This groundbreaking discovery by a rural doctor demonstrates for the first time the transmission of disease through microorganisms, causing a sensation in the scientific community.

Louis Pasteur, upon hearing about the rural doctor's findings, is initially skeptical and critical. He questions the doctor's lack of access to scientific publications and dismisses the significance of the discovery. Pasteur, a retired figure in the medical field, is taken aback by the rural doctor's attempt to prove the microbial cause of anthrax.

Pasteur, challenged by a German doctor's prior work, conducts experiments in his modern laboratory to confirm that anthrax is indeed transmitted by bacteria. The conclusive results validate the German doctor's claims and push Pasteur to further investigate the origins of the disease.

Despite initial doubts, Pasteur ultimately acknowledges the German doctor's correctness in linking bacteria to anthrax transmission. He recognizes the need for a more rigorous demonstration and conducts experiments in his advanced laboratory to confirm the findings.

In the summer of 1878, Pasteur, along with his assistant Dr. Emilio, visits Mr. Bonoris, an agricultor in the region of Sharp, where anthrax is causing devastation. Pasteur had read the research of Ccoo and the German scientist, Wolstein, who discovered that anthrax bacteria produce spores that can hibernate, allowing the disease to persist. This led Pasteur to investigate further into the endemic zones.

After analyzing earthworms, it is revealed that they are carriers of the microbes responsible for bringing the deadly parasite to the surface from deep burial grounds. This discovery resolves the mystery of endemic zones and highlights the crucial role of earthworms in spreading the disease.

By complementing the German scientist's investigations, Pasteur makes a significant breakthrough in his career. This marks the beginning of the fight against contagious diseases, setting a new direction for Pasteur's research.

In the summer of 1880, Dr. Coss leaves Wolstein for Berlin, much to the dismay of the residents. His research on anthrax has garnered attention, leading to an offer to work in a bacteriology laboratory as a government advisor, marking a new chapter in his career.

Pasteur aims to become a 'microbe hunter' by perfecting his techniques. He invents a fundamental method for microbiology - culturing bacteria on solid media. This innovation revolutionizes the field, enabling the cultivation of various bacteria types, propelling the search for microbes to new heights.

On May 5, 1881, Pasteur conducts a public demonstration of the anthrax vaccine. This event showcases the culmination of his research efforts, presenting a breakthrough in vaccination against anthrax, a significant milestone in the history of medicine.

Jenner discovered that people could be protected from the dangerous disease of smallpox by injecting them with pus from cowpox, a much less severe disease. Although he invented the vaccine, he did not understand why it worked.

Pasteur believed that smallpox was caused by a microbe and that the vaccine had to be an attenuated form of that microbe. He obtained initial results with anthrax and decided to demonstrate his theory publicly.

On May 5th, Pasteur's team publicly vaccinated 50 animals for the first time. This risky experiment involved vaccinating half the animals and leaving the other half unvaccinated to observe the results.

A month later, a sheep died unexpectedly after vaccination, leading to doubts and concerns about Pasteur's experiment. Despite the setback, Pasteur defended his protocols and scientific approach.

Despite initial setbacks, Pasteur's vaccination method proved successful, leading to the recovery of a sheep in Milan. This success solidified Pasteur's reputation as a pioneering scientist in the field of vaccination.

In August 1881, Pasteur was invited to a medical congress in London, where he received ovations from a crowd of 3,000 attendees. Despite initial controversies, Pasteur's work on vaccination gained international acclaim.

During the congress, a German doctor who felt slighted by Pasteur's lack of acknowledgment was about to leave in disappointment. However, English surgeon Joseph Lister intervened and arranged for a meeting between the two scientists.

Alistair managed to bring both individuals to his laboratory and demonstrated his new techniques to Pasteur, who was greatly surprised by the progress made. Despite Pasteur's compliment, tensions arose between them.

Pasteur failed to distinguish the bacillus of anthrax in his experiment, displaying his naivety. His research was deemed to be of no value and only served to create confusion on resolved matters.

Koch became obsessed with tuberculosis, a disease causing high mortality rates during the industrialization era. It was responsible for the death of one in every three adults in some areas, with a 60% mortality rate among children.

Koch, a conscientious man, developed a staining technique to identify bacteria. He meticulously tracked microorganisms, which grew slowly and were challenging to detect even under a microscope.

On March 24, 1882, Koch gathered esteemed colleagues to announce his identification of the tuberculosis bacteria. He revealed that bacilli were the cause of tuberculosis, astounding the attendees with his groundbreaking discovery.

Several days after his discovery, Koch's results were published internationally, leading to the tuberculosis bacteria being named the Koch bacillus.

In September 1882, Koch, brimming with confidence, attended an international hygiene congress in Geneva. Despite past criticisms, he was prepared to defend his tuberculosis discovery and confront his detractors.

Pasteur, accompanied by his wife and assistant Louis, encountered Koch at the hotel in Geneva. Despite a silent greeting, tensions lingered as Pasteur prepared for the upcoming congress.

Robert Koch received a warm ovation at the congress organized by the committee at 2:00 PM in the university's auditorium. He discussed his research on vaccines for cholera in chickens and anthrax, briefly criticizing Dr. Cope's arguments.

Robert Koch ridiculed Dr. Cope's arguments and those of his colleagues, highlighting their errors and lack of experience in a speech at the congress.

Despite the frustration, Robert Koch remained calm and chose not to engage in a debate with Dr. Cope, citing language barriers and reserved the right to respond through medical publications.

Robert Koch was acknowledged as a great researcher but lacked the charismatic speaking skills of Pasteur, admitting he wouldn't fare well in a debate against him.

Robert Koch questioned Pasteur's lack of significant scientific contributions, emphasizing his focus on isolating and creating pure microbes despite not being a medical doctor.

In the summer of 1883, a cholera outbreak threatened Europe, starting in Egypt where 500 people were dying daily. France and Germany sent missions led by Pasteur and Robert Koch respectively to address the epidemic.

Pasteur entrusted his disciple Emile with a mission to Alexandria in response to the cholera outbreak, while Robert Koch led a German delegation to the same location on August 24, 1883.

Robert Koch's team in Alexandria began analyzing cholera cases, with one patient succumbing to the disease, marking the start of their investigations during the epidemic.

A patient in Alexandria suddenly fell ill with cholera symptoms, collapsing and eventually passing away, signaling the severity of the epidemic in the region.

At 8 in the morning, the young and talented Thriller, aged 26, was declared dead, which deeply affected his close friend. The doctor and colleagues paid respects, highlighting Thriller's intelligence and promise. The death had a significant impact on the community.

The cholera epidemic was waning, but its origin remained a mystery. The doctor, after confirming the departure of the French, focused on investigating a suspected bacillus in the intestines. Upon arriving in India, he discovered the crucial role of contaminated water sources in disease transmission.

The doctor identified the cholera pathogen, distinguishing it from other bacteria due to its comma shape. His groundbreaking work led to the identification of deadly microbes like tuberculosis and cholera. In 1885, he was appointed as a professor at the Institute of Hygiene in Berlin, gaining fame comparable to Pasteur.

The doctor, lacking major discoveries in human diseases, turned his attention to rabies, a fatal disease transmitted through animal bites. Despite causing fewer deaths annually than tuberculosis, rabies intrigued him due to its delayed onset after infection, allowing for post-bite vaccination to prevent the disease.

Rabies presented unique challenges as the virus was invisible to microscopes of the time, requiring Pasteur to work blindly through deduction. Despite the difficulty, he successfully developed a vaccine and demonstrated its efficacy in preventing the disease post-bite, offering a groundbreaking solution to combat rabies.

Approximately 40 individuals have been successfully vaccinated since the vaccination program started. A woman from Alsace has traveled to Paris with her son, who has been bitten by a dog and is in desperate need of treatment.

The transition from animal experimentation to human trials was a significant step that required substantial theoretical and scientific evidence. The decision to move from animal testing to human trials was not taken lightly due to the lack of sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of the treatment.

A mother has brought her son, who was bitten by a dog and potentially infected with rabies, to seek treatment from Pasteur. Despite initial reluctance, Pasteur agrees to administer treatment to the boy, acknowledging the risks involved.

Facing the dilemma of treating a potentially rabies-infected child, Pasteur weighs the risks and benefits of administering the experimental vaccine. The decision to proceed with treatment is made despite the uncertainties and dangers involved.

The rabies treatment protocol involves injecting the infected child with gradually increasing doses of infected spinal cord material over a period of two weeks. The goal is to build the child's immunity to the virus and monitor for any signs of infection.

The effectiveness of the experimental rabies vaccine is tested through a series of injections, culminating in a final test where the child is deliberately exposed to a highly virulent strain of rabies. The success of the vaccine is determined by the child's response to the final test.

After a rigorous experimental treatment process, the child infected with rabies is successfully cured, marking a significant milestone in Pasteur's medical breakthroughs.

Joseph Master has successfully conducted an experiment. He reports that his friend, Joseph Master, has left the laboratory feeling well, with a good appetite and no fever. This discovery is hailed as potentially one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the century.

Joseph Master decides to vaccinate Jean Batiste Yupi, a young shepherd bitten by a rabid dog while protecting his friends. This story is chosen to promote the vaccine. Following this, a surge of people from around the world flock to Paris to get vaccinated, leading to the establishment of an international fundraising campaign by the Academy of Sciences to create an institute.

In late 1889, Professor Tore, known for mysteriously locking himself in his laboratory, resumes his research on tuberculosis. He aims to find a cure for the disease, which would surpass Joseph Master's achievement with rabies. After months of work, he successfully cures infected guinea pigs, sparking hope for further progress.

On August 4, 1890, at the tenth International Congress of Medicine in Berlin, Robert Koch makes a surprising revelation. Despite incomplete human trials, he announces the discovery of substances capable of inhibiting the tuberculosis bacillus. This announcement causes a sensation, with the public believing he has found a cure, leading to the presentation of 'tuberculina' as a groundbreaking discovery.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, the first results of the tuberculosis treatment are disappointing. Reports indicate that the tuberculina injections may be harmful, causing more suffering to patients. This setback leads to doubts and criticism, tarnishing Robert Koch's reputation and causing a rapid decline in the treatment's credibility.

Louis Pasteur, the famous 48-year-old professor, spends more time in the theater than in the laboratory. He divorces his childhood sweetheart and causes a stir by marrying Elvis Fraiber, a 29-year-old, two months later.

While Pasteur's health deteriorates, celebrations are held for his 70th birthday. Despite his declining health, Pasteur makes his last public appearance with the support of his son, Jean Baptiste.

The rivalry between Louis Pasteur and his disciple, Kobe, intensifies as they compete with their respective teams. The resurgence of the plague in China leads to a final showdown between the two scientists.

Louis Pasteur's funeral, a national event, marks the passing of a scientific hero. His institute receives condolences from Robert Koch, a scientist who would later win a Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Robert Koch, 20 years younger than Pasteur, continues his scientific endeavors and eventually wins a Nobel Prize in Medicine. He visits the Pasteur Institute in Paris and is welcomed by his rival's assistants.

After Pasteur's era, medicine enters a new phase where diseases are understood by their causes rather than just symptoms. Epidemics decrease, life expectancy rises, and both chemists and country doctors become national idols.