562 



Our Surroundings 



the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1873. 



He died in 1889. 



Pasteur. Louis Pasteur was born in Dole, France, in 1822. 



In his student days he made a special study of chemistry and 



took his degree in 1842, after 

 which he was a professor for 

 several years in different uni- 

 versities. In 1856 he received 

 the Rumford medal of the 

 Royal Society of London 

 awarded for scientific attain- 

 ment. Although distinguished 

 in other kinds of work, it was 

 in the field of bacteriology that 

 he became eminent. In the 

 study of the germ theory his 

 greatest work was accom- 

 plished. He demonstrated that 

 various specific diseases, both 

 in animals and plants, were 

 caused by different species of 

 bacteria, and showed how these 

 diseases may be prevented. 



His success in treating hydrophobia was PrCVlOUS tO 1856 the CaUSC 



one of his greatest triumphs. . r A . , 



of fermentation was unknown, 



but in this year Pasteur proved that it was due to the action of 

 yeasts and other tiny forms of plant life. This discovery enabled 

 the wine makers of France to overcome certain kinds of fer- 

 mentation which were ruining their wine, by destroying with heat 

 the plant cells which caused them. Later Pasteur discovered that 

 a disease which threatened to ruin the silk industry by attacking 

 the silk worms was caused by bacteria, and he suggested an 

 effective remedy. Thus his work led to the saving of vast sums 

 of money, not only to the people of France, but also to the people 

 of other countries engaged in these industries. 



Of still greater importance to humanity was the application of 

 his discovery to the prevention of disease in man. By injecting 



Louis PASTEUR 



