Western Civilization II / Unit 5 WC2 0413 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Microscopes, Bacteria, and No Theory of Contagion
Captions available
The idea
With his microscopes Leeuwenhoek observed bacteria in the sixteen seventies and drew no conclusion about disease. Contagion waited two centuries, for Pasteur in the eighteen sixties. Seeing was not understanding; the instrument outran the theory.
In practice
Unit 12 picks the thread up with germ theory.
Where people slip
The anchor says he invented the microscope; he improved it and looked.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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