1876

Robert Koch, 32, working alone in village of Wollstein without any academic credentials, publishes The Etiology of Anthrax, based on the life history of Bacillus anthracis. Via microscopic examination of Bacillus anthracis (rod-shaped bacteria containing refractile spheres [spores]) and animal experimentation with field mice, Koch proved that Bacillus anthracis is source (“the contagion”) of anthrax (Brock, 27-37). Publication followed successful demonstrations to Ferdinand Cohn, Director of Institute of Plant Physiology at University of Breslau and Julius Cohnheim, Director of Institute of Pathology (44ff.). W. H. Welch a visitor in Cohnheim’s lab at time of Koch’s visit (47).