An "ABC" of Virology
In this short series I shall endeavor, using a "blue collar" approach, to explain in as simple terms as possible the development of what is called "virology". I could have titled it "The A 2 Z (use USA pronunciation) of virology" or "The History of Virology" but it isn't that comprehensive so "An ABC...." it is! In it I will highlight some of virology’s major contributions to the "Germ Theory" of disease, show how to decipher virology's fancy pants language, describe some of its shady characters & demonstrate that virology has had one common denominator throughout its short & inglorious history; one of untrustworthy imaginary notions.
Chapter 0ne, a VERY brief look at the development of the "Germ Theory" of disease.
The “Germ Theory” (which from now on I shall refer to as "germ hypothesis”) of disease says each specific disease is caused by a specific microbe, (AKA “germ”) which could be either bacteria or “viruses.”
Vengeful Gods & Miasma
In ancient times people had supernatural explanations of diseases, thinking they were sent by evil spirits or even the gods as a punishment for their sins, but by the 5th century B.C. various scholars were aware that environmental factors were a major contributary factor to diseases, this coalesced into the "miasma theory*" of disease, where "poisonous vapors produced by putrefying organic matter could cause infection by invading the body and disturbing its vital functions" but it’s worth noting that miasma theory recognized chemical properties in the air along with physical properties such as temperature & pressure.
*Authors note; Aeon’s ago people were well aware that observation, followed by rational analysis of natural phenomenon would provide them with a pragmatic knowledge of nature.
Germs.
"Miasma" theory held sway for two millennium, however changes were afoot when "On Contagion, Contagious Diseases and Their Cure" by Girolamo Fracastoro was published in 1546. Having studied syphilis and the plague, Fracastoro hypothesized that infections were caused by “agents” that were seed like beings that “germinated” he called them "seminaria" (or drum roll....GERMS! from germinated), and that each disease had its own specific "seminaria" that could infect at a distance. However he didn't consider "seminaria" as living entities, to him they were chemical substances; as the microbial world had yet to be confirmed...
Viruses.
Smallpox (Variola) was a disease that was feared but it had been noted that some cases were fairly mild & it was "thought" that a mild case protected against a severe case. This "thought" was the reason behind the process known as "Variolation" an ancient practice of "inoculation" (the introduction of an infectious agent into an organism) where the pus from a pustule of a victim of a "mild case" of Smallpox was introduced into a cut in the arm of a person who was hoping to become infected with "mild Smallpox" & hence get "immunity" against "severe Smallpox". This process was introduced into Europe in 1720, the pus from the pustule was called.....Variola Virus! The "virus" was considered to be a "liquid poison".
Germs again!
...Following the invention of the microscope in the 1590's and its development in the 1670's microbes or "animalcules" as they were known, were observed, the idea of infectious agents gained traction and in 1762 a book by Viennese physician M. A. Plenciz “The Germ Theory of Infectious Diseases” was published. Things were hotting up!
Viruses again!
In the 1790's Edward Jenner an English physician, knew of an old wives tail that stated; "a case of Cow Pox (or Vaccinia, from "vacca" Latin for cow) protects against Smallpox", Jenner replicated the variolation process using the pus (called; Vaccinia Virus) from the pustule of a case of Cow Pox on James Phipps, the son of his gardener. When James was "introduced" to Smallpox & didn't "catch it", he was declared "immune", the experiment was deemed a success & to honor Jenner all "immunizations" are now called Vaccination.
Pasteur & Koch, The Dynamic Duo.
In the mid 19th century miasma theory still held sway and disease was associated with among other things; “morbid poisons” generating spontaneously (i.e. the presence of dirt & damp) and a poor nutritional or emotional state, but this tag team were about to break down all that had gone before & Build Back Better!
Louie Pasteur, a chemist (who having studied fermentation in the 1860's) noticed that food went off when left out! (quelle surprise!!) He concluded the cause to be an invading pathogen & because of this it's now virtually impossible to buy milk that hasn't been "Louied".
Robert Koch (who named Henle's postulates after himself) presumed that these "invading pathogens" (bacteria) could be found in diseased tissue & then reintroduced into another organism to cause the same disease, unfortunately for "Owd Bob" his presumption fell flat on its face…….fortunately help was on hand to assist the "germ hypothesis" of disease in its baby steps and the previous "liquid poison" explanation of "virus” was about to be re-defined!
In Chapter Two, I tell the story of a young "virus" struggling for recognition in the fields of Holland, (AKA the Nether Reigons) about how his one hit wonder status & subsequent "falling on hard times" lead him to seek fame & fortune in America, where he signed to a major USA label, who after re-inventing his image & promoting him relentlessly in the media, gained him world wide fame & recognition. Be amazed how his career path became a role model for all following rock star viruses to emulate. Find out how he went from stoat (foraging in burrows) to goat, (Greatest 0f All Time) it's a real life "thrills pills & bellyache" tale of rags to riches to rags and eventually back to riches again.
Further reading;
Louis Pasteur And the Myth of Pasteurization – Wellness Journeys A short extract;…..
“Pasteur developed ‘pasteurization’, a process by which harmful microbes* in perishable food products are destroyed using heat, without destroying the food.”
This is not entirely true. Pasteurization does NOT kill ALL harmful microbes* in milk and it DOES harm the milk.
In her book, The Medical Mafia, Dr Lanctôt debunks pasteurization with a one-two punch:
The temperature is not high enough.
The temperature is too high.”
* Authors note; I don’t endorse the “harmful microbes” narrative.
Alexander T. Newport. A short extract;….
“The gist of the Henle/Koch Postulates require you to remove a causative agent of illness or disease from the bodily fluid of a sick human or animal and to give that agent to a healthy human or animal which is supposed to make that healthy human or animal sick. If they don’t get sick, then you have not given them a causative agent of sickness, the Postulates are the Gold Standard of proving the existence of a germ that causes illness or disease. But scientists were never able to fulfill the Postulates; they were never able to make healthy humans or animals sick with any isolated viruses or disease-causing bacteria; and so is it any surprise that they decided to say that “advancements in medical science” have rendered Koch’s Postulates unnecessary & meaningless? So, those who say “the Postulates do not apply” are basically saying that if you fail to make someone sick with an isolated virus IT’S NOT NECESSARY TO MAKE ANYONE SICK IN ORDER TO PROVE THEY HAVE FOUND A GERM THAT MAKES HUMANS OR ANIMALS SICK!”
There is some controversy over the “postulates”, (& Koch’s work) for evidence of this read the following link; “Kochs postulates in relation to the work of Henle & Klebs”.
Chapter 0ne is a shortened version of my post “Germ-Nation”, which is a compilation of four or more years of research, most of which can be viewed at my post “No Virus Phsy-0p”. In “Germ-Nation” I give a brief introduction to the “Terrain Theory” of disease…….. Germ Nation. - compiled by Andy Fox - Andy’s Substack
Sources; (not linked in the text)
https://www.infezmed.it/media/journal/Vol_20_1_2012_9.pdf
Diseases of occupation and vocational hygiene : Kober, George M. (George Martin), 1850-1931 : Internet Archive (the 1st pg 12, not the 2nd one!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonie_van_Leeuwenhoek
Authors note; regarding the following links, please imagine them to contain the following disclaimer; “For entertainment purposes only”.
Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination - PMC (nih.gov)
A blue collar primer to a hotbed of white collar crime 👏👏👏👏👏
Right On!!
Well done, Gryffindor! ;)