Understanding Robert Koch and the Discovery of Germ Theory

1. starter activity In the centre of the room are cards relating to the discovery of Germ Theory. Get yourself into teams of 6. Each team captain should then find 6 different cards, take them back to their team and organise themselves in chronological order as quickly as possible. If any team has less than 6 they will have a 10 second head start. Angry germ!

2. How important was Robert Koch?  Aims To understand the importance of Robert Koch in developing ways to study germs

3.  Your task • Either read or listen to the interview with Robert Koch. p. 128. • Try to guess what question he was asked each time.

4.  Your task • What answer do you think Koch would give to these questions: • What is your greatest achievement? • How will your research help people find cures for disease? • What was the most important factor in your success?

5. Koch’s greatest achievement • Identified the bacterium caused anthrax • Other bacteria, e.g. typhoid, TB, cholera identified in same way • Developed a technique to cultivate bacteria and used dyes to make them visible

6. How Koch’s research will help find other cures • Developed a technique for identifying and testing the presence of germs over several generations of animals • Created a better medium for growing bacteria – solid medium in Petri dishes • Used a purple stain to identify the bacteria

7. Secret of his success • Built on previous knowledge (Pasteur & Co.) • Repeated experiments to check results (through 20 generations of mice) • Improved testing technology, e.g. developing cultures & dyes • Received government funding • Work with a team of bacteriologists Robert Koch, German scientist in his laboratory

8.  Your task • Read pp. 130-1 very carefully. • What factors led to the development of the new vaccinations? • Design your own germ and draw it in the centre of your page. Around it create a spider diagram identifying the reasons why diseases were discovered at this time. Include the following categories: observation, new technology, medical knowledge, research teams, individual genius, chance, governments, warfare, other reasons

9. Reasons for the discovery of diseases • Observation – P conducted experiments using sterile flasks in different locations, identifying that particles in air caused decay • New technologies – K developed better ways of growing bacteria & stains to identify them; P & K used new microscope developed by Lister • Medical Knowledge – P called his method of immunising chickens against cholera ‘vaccination’ after Jenner

10. Reasons for the discovery of diseases • Research teams – P used teams of vets & doctors; K used teams of bacteriologists • Individual genius – P said, ‘chance favours the mind which is prepared’; he built on Jenner’s work • Chance – chicken cholera solution left exposed showed that germs were weakened by exposure to air

11. Governments – P received money from French govt • Warfare - rivalry between Fr & Germany spurred on new discoveries • Other reasons – better communications; pressure to improve agriculture led to anthrax vaccine

12.  Plenary • What do you think was the most important factor contributing to the development of germ theory?

13.  Homework • Use your spider diagram to write an essay of 1 side of A4 in answer to this question: • “Why were the causes of disease finally discovered in the 1860s and 1870s?” • Remember to include an introduction, use topic paragraphs and reach a conclusion. • Use detailed evidence from p.128-132. • Avoid telling the story, but identify factors

15.  Extension task • Visit the History Learning website to find out more about Robert Koch and Louis Pasteur. • Write an imaginary interview with Pasteur