germ theory
Coverage of germ theory in the Nexus archive.
- What killed Americans in 1776? The answer is dramatically different from today
The leading causes of death in 1776 were infectious diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis, driven by lack of antibiotics, vaccines, and modern medical practices. Today, chronic conditions dominate due to advancements in public health, sanitation, and medical technology, with life expectancy rising from 30 to 80 years. Key breakthroughs include vaccines, germ theory, and improved water sanitation.
- 20 scientific breakthroughs that the experts got wrong first
The article highlights 20 scientific breakthroughs that were initially dismissed by experts but later proven correct, including continental drift, germ theory, and the bacterial cause of ulcers.
- RFK Jr.’s rejection of germ theory debunked in Senate hearing
Senator Bernie Sanders confronted Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Senate hearing for his rejection of germ theory, a foundational biomedical concept. Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist with no science background, promoted the discredited 'terrain theory' in his 2021 book, claiming diseases result from bodily imbalances rather than germs.