jan 1, 1879 - Puerperal Fever Pathogen Discovered
Description:
The bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes is discovered to be the microbe causing childbed fever. This is a disease that impacts women after giving birth, causing a high maternal death rate prior to antibiotics. Hospitals had the highest rates of Puerperal Fever because they were unaware of the role of microbes in disease transmission, so they would often not wash their hands between patients. This led to many women becoming infected and dying.
Added to timeline:
History of Pathogens
BHLTH 224 Infectious Disease Timeline
Date:
