In the nineteenth century, medical bacteriology emerged, identifying microorganisms and their role in disease transmission. This work intertwines the history of this discipline with the biography of Robert Koch, a Nobel Prize-winning German physician and one of its founders. Koch revolutionized modern medicine through innovations like bacterial staining, solid culture media, and mass pure cultures, as well as the use of animal models. His groundbreaking discoveries, which shaped medical science at the turn of the century, are encapsulated in "Koch's Postulates," still referenced today to establish the link between pathogens and infectious diseases. Christoph Gradmann presents a dual narrative, exploring both the evolution of bacteriology and Koch's life. Utilizing Koch's extensive laboratory notes, Gradmann illustrates how Koch developed his scientific method and identified the bacterial causes of anthrax, tuberculosis, and cholera. He aimed to apply this knowledge in clinical settings by creating targeted medicines for the pathogens he discovered. Koch's enthusiasm for travel also marked his career, making him a pioneer in tropical disease research. This captivating exploration of Koch's personality and his experimental contributions to medical bacteriology reveals the historical and biographical foundations of our current understanding of infectious diseases.
