Koch has contributed a lot to science; however his most famous contribution is his discovery of mycobacterium tuberculosis, which proved the idea that tuberculosis was not an ‘inherited disease’ (as it was thought at the time) but a bacterium, and was infectious (a scientist named Villemin demonstrated its was contagious but had no solid evidence to back him up). To prove that his theory was correct, Koch used a test which he had devised in his study of anthrax (now) called ‘Koch’s postulates.’ He used guinea pigs to evaluate these postulates on, as they required a host (infected with tuberculosis) to pass on the disease to an uninfected specimen. The tuberculosis disease satisfied all his postulates, and enabled Koch …show more content…
The History Learning Site, 17 Mar 2015. Viewed 11/9/16, < http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/a-history-of-medicine/robert-koch/>
This source above provided information on Koch’s work and how it enabled further research based. The source appears to have reliable information, as the information that is presented is repeated on multiple reputable websites (including the BBC’s and the world health organisation’s websites). Ultimately, this source provides an in-depth insight into the life and work of Robert Koch and enabled me to effectively produce information on him and his work.
“The day we discovered the cause of the white death, PBS news hour, march 24 2015, Viewed 12/9/16 < http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/march-24-1882-robert-koch-announces-his-discovery-of-the-cause-of-tuberculosis/>
This source provided information in the effects of tuberculosis, the view of it before and after Koch’s report on tuberculosis and a summary of Koch’s achievements. This source proved helpful as it gave an insight to the importance of Robert Koch’s investigation on tuberculosis by exposing what the disease was like at the time of his discovery. It also gives an insight into what may have happened had Koch not researched the Tuberculosis