What the Germ Theory suggests is that "certain diseases are caused by the invasion of the body by microorganisms, organisms too small to be seen except through a microscope." We now define this not as merely a theory but as common sense. But at the time when the French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, the English surgeon Joseph Lister, and the German physician Robert Koch came up with the theory, this was not the case. Humans still believed that every bad smell necessarily held threatening health risks.
Source
Such was the case in the months of August and September of 1880 in Paris. The city was taken hostage by a stench, and the horrible smell caused a scare in the city, as it was taken as a signifier of sickness. The origins of the bad smell were the sewers. The city was flooded with filth. As the journal Le Figaro put it, "It stank to high heaven."
The scare quickly birthed rumors of sickness. These rumors spread so quickly and to such a great extent that citizens began to protest, and a government commission was set up to deal with the issue, announcing that the foul smell could harm public health. As time passed, the stench went away with it, and the people of Paris saw that they were, in fact, left unharmed, so they started to embrace the Germ Theory. When 15 years later, the city was once again suffocated by the stench, the media coverage was almost humorous about it - it wasn't a cause for a health panic anymore. It was nothing more than a mere inconvenience.
Pasteur, Lister, and Koch worked hard between 1850 and 1920, conducting various experiments with clear conclusions to persuade the public to believe in the Germ Theory and adopt good hygiene habits. Still, it took many more years until the public and medical practitioners adopted good sanitation habits.
Operating surgeons weren't disposing of hazardous waste properly, and they wore unsanitized and sometimes stained garments during surgeries. Both in the workforce and at home, hand washing was not a common custom. Sewage systems weren't separating waste from drinking water properly. But all of this wasn't because people weren't concerned with hygiene. They were simply not aware that these actions posed health risks. This is hard to imagine in an age where every toddler knows to wash their hands before their meal.
H/T: Britannica
Keep Skipping Showers? Here's What Will Happen to You!
What to know what happens to your body when you repeatedly skip showers? Read this article and find out.
5 Reasons Why Showering at Night is Better for Your Health
Do you avoid taking a shower at night? Perhaps you shouldn't. Read this article to find out why.
Here's How to Stay Fresh and Smell Good Later in Life
Follow these useful tips to ensure that you don't begin to smell unpleasant as you age...
8 Of the DIRTIEST Household Items and How to Clean Them
Even in the cleanest of homes, germs might be lurking in the most surprising everyday items. These are 8 items you should look out for and clean regularly.
13 Mistakes You’re Making in the Shower!
Do you take a shower every day? If so, you're already making one of the 13 shower mistakes most people aren't aware of. Discover them all in the next article.
Decipher Beauty Product Labels in a Jiffy
We'll teach you how to decipher the ingredients list on the back of your toiletry products, so you don't fall for false marketing.
20+ Surprising Things About Your Skin You Never Knew!
Watch dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah answer some important questions about skin and dermatology.
Can Exercise Really Stop Heart Attacks?
Find out some of the best ways to prevent and reduce a risk of having a heart attack.
Health Tips: The Best Natural Alternative for Viagra
Drinking this healthy drink everyday can help cure erectile dysfunction
Struggling With Obesity? These Exercises Can Help a Lot
Struggling with obesity? Doing these exercises can change your life for the better.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Healthy Tropical Fruits
Learn about eight easy-to-come-by tropical fruit that are both delicious and oh-so-healthy for you!
Natural Methods to Improve Hearing That Actually Work
Now you can improve your hearing at home with these natural methods.
7 Things Stress Does to Everybody, Without Exception
Stress is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with in modern life. Here are 7 recent conclusions about stress you should know about.
For Great Health, Add Goji Berries to Your Shopping List!
From fighting aging to a super-charged immune system, this miracle fruit carries with it so many health benefits it should be in everyone's shopping cart.
10 Great Uses For Your Leftover Stale Bread
Sometimes bread gets stale, but next time don't throw it away - you can still put it to good use!
Does Our Stomach SHRINK When We Eat Less? Our Answer
Eat less, and your stomach will shrink over time.. is that the truth?
The Truth Behind the Most Popular Types of Diets
There are a lot of popular diets out there. But which one works the best?
Sciatica Back and Leg Pain - 5 Pain Relieving Exercises
Flareups are common for sciatica, but they can be managed and reduced with the help of specific exercises and stretches.
This Doctor Tried the Keto Diet and This is What He Thinks
Curious to try the KETO Diet? Listen to what a doctor has to say first.
You Are What You Eat: How Foods You Eat Affect Your Mood
In recent years we discovered how incredibly important a good diet is in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Here's how it works.
Discover What Happens In Your Body When You Have a Fever
Have you ever wondered exactly why does our body produce a fever? Find out more in this video.
6 Common Mistakes We All Make When Showering
Which of these 'mistakes' are you guilty of making?
If You're Not Using Sunscreen, After This Video You Will
This fantastic video shows you how your skin looks in UV light, revealing future sun-damage to it.
Can Aging Be Cured in Your Lifetime? It May Be So...
Could there be a cure for aging? Watch this video and find out!
STOP Calf Pain - The Best Stretches for Your Sore Calves
Get rid of your calf pain for good with these simple exercises.
This Amazing Nutritional Plan Does Wonders For Your Health
The "daily dozen" nutritional plan was designed for people to follow should they wish to stay in optimal health. Learn more!
How to Increase the Amount of Oxygen in Your Blood
How can we make sure we're getting enough oxygen in our breathing? This video will make sure you know how.
A Beginner's Guide for Your First Yoga Class
No prior knowledge of yoga is needed for this lesson, which will leave you knowing yoga's basics moves that you can practice at home!
An Ancient Chinese Story with a Lovely Moral
This beautiful Chinese tale tells the story of a maid and how she learned respect for her mother-in-law
14 Super Foods that Fight to Prevent Cancer
These super foods, taken daily, have been proven to fight to free your body from the risk of cancer.
Did You Know: Why Are There Different Blood Types?
There are four main blood types that are prevalent throughout humanity. Watch this fascinating video to learn about blood types and their differences.
This is the Most Effective Way to Remove Ear Wax at Home
Remove earwax at home with this effective hack.
How Can You Tell a Common Cold Infection from Influenza?
The common cold is among the most prevalent virus infections in the world. What's the best way to treat it?
Watch 20 Doctors Give Their Best Health Tip
20 top doctors, each an expert in a different medical field, all sharing one valuable health tip - packaged neatly into a single, convenient video
8 Persistent Skincare Myths That Can Ruin Your Skin
This article is about harmful skincare myths that are way more common than they should be and how to replace them with a healthy skin habit
What is a Normal Heartbeat, and and Why Does it Change?
What is a normal heartbeat? And do we get the same speed over all our life time? This video is about to give you those answers, and more...
Got a Stiff Neck? Give This 90-Second Treatment a Shot!
If you ever wake up and find that you have a stiff neck, this 90-second technique will help relieve it in no time at all.
Memory Not Working? The Answer May Be Hiding in Your Sleep
If you want to remember better, this lecture will tell you - The answer is in your sleep.
3 Easy Exercises to Alleviate Light-Headedness
If you're feeling dizzy or out of balance, these three exercises will help alleviate your symptoms.
Is This New Drug a Revolution in Slowing Down Alzheimer's?
n the ongoing battle against Alzheimer's disease, a new development presents a beacon of hope.
6 NATURAL Ways to Treat Swollen Feet & Ankles
Swelling in your feet and ankles can lead to a variety of complications. Here’s how you can get rid of the naturally.
Massage These 3 Points if You Have High Blood Pressure
While high blood pressure is caused by a variety of things, its most common cause is hypertension. Reduce your high blood pressure by using the ancient technique of acupressure.
Remove Age Spots Easily with Two Simple Ingredients...
Got age spots? Here's how to remove them easily.
Relieve Pain in the Feet and Heels in Just a Few Minutes!
Do you experience frequent pain at the bottom of the feet? If so, check out these simple exercises for instant relief!
Alzheimer's And Meat Eating: Addressing the Connection
Does eating a lot of meat have a connection to Alzheimer's? We examine the evidence.
This Little Piece of Plastic Does Wonders For Your Feet
As we age, our toes tend to cram together. Spacing them promotes blood flow and prevents pain!
What Happens When We Eat Oatmeal Every Day?
Why is eating oatmeal every day so healthy, and what happens to our body when we stick to it?