Multiple Choice Questions - History of Microbiology

Louis Pasteur

Who is the father of microbiology?

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Louis Pasteur

The study of the body’s response to foreign substances was first started by:

•  Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Edward Jenner

Who coined the terms aerobic and anaerobic?

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Louis Pasteur

Who established the theory that a specific disease is caused by a specific microorganism?

•  Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Robert Koch

Who has significantly contributed to wine industry?

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Louis Pasteur

Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax bacillus), Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Vibrio cholera were discovered by:

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Robert Koch

Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining procedure was introduced by:

•  Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Ehrlich.

Answer: Ehrlich.

Who observed that fermentation took place in the absence of air?

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Louis Pasteur

Which of the following organisms has not yet been grown in artificial culture media?

• Mycobacterium leprae
• Pneumococcus
• Pseudomonas
• Salmonella

Answer: Mycobacterium leprae

Who disproved the theory that living organisms originated spontaneously from decaying organic matter?

• Louis Pasteur
• Edward Jenner
• Robert Koch
• Robert Brown

Answer: Louis Pasteur

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Why Am I Feeling Sad?

Today I am feeling sad. For the last full week, in the ICU, I saw a patient who got admitted with meningo-encephalitis. He was around 45 years old. He was not improving after admission; was not deteriorating as well
Throughout he was disoriented and agitated. When we moved closer to him to greet him, he gave a cute smile like a child
I just hoped that he will improve slowly.
But today morning, as soon as I entered the ICU, I noticed that his breathing was not alright. He was breathing deeply and faster. He was not responding to calls or to pain.
To make long story, short, he was diagnosed with septic shock. BP not recordable and temperature below normal
He was started on inotropes (noradrenaline) and was shifted immediately to an ICU where ventilators  are available
later I came to know that he was put on ventilator and now battling for life with two inotropes, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, warmer and all the other supportive measures
I don't know him personally; but when I look at the way he sleeps without any response, I feel sad...

My encounter with a woman suffering from lymphedema and terminal illness

I happened to meet a woman around 55 years old who was operated for carcinoma breast and is now suffering from lymphedema and metastasis. She had a minimum education of class three and was working as a house maid, throughout her life. The woman has two children, one daughter and one son, who are both married and settled. She has exhibited tremendous courage and adaptive capabilities compared to other patients, who usually show signs of depression by the time they reach this stage. Lymphedema of the right arm disabled her from doing the activities like using toilet, combing and tying the hair, taking bath and feeding. She had difficulty moving the right arm. Presence of chest drainage tube and swelling all over the body and legs made it difficult for her to walk around.

There was no history of cancer in the family. When asked about her belief regarding the disease, she was not sure about the reason why she got the disease. She is habituated to non-vegetarian diet. When I met her, she could take only liquid and semisolid food items. Never complained about loss of appetite and used to enjoy her food. She had good sleep at night. We expect patients with metastasis to report severe pain where as she was always cheerful and her face also did not show any signs of pain, nausea or vomiting. She only reported heaviness of the arm with lymphedema.

Even though educated only up to class three, she exhibited a very positive outlook towards life and her present illness. She said “ I am sure that there is something existing within me which is eternal and I will be born again”. This very belief helped her to maintain integrity, to give strength to her children, and to face death. She was not afraid of talking about death. In fact, she was preparing her children to face her death by talking to them.

She did not hesitate to mingle with others. Even with lymphedema and generalized swelling of the body, she did not seem to bother much about her physical appearance. She was happy to be photographed and strongly believed that each relationship exists for some reason and each one of us comes with a purpose on this earth, and our meetings, even though for few hours or days are with a purpose. She was an exceptional woman. Even during her terminal illness, after having full knowledge about her condition, she showed an amazing source of strength in her which helped her in coping with the illness and also to uplift the morale of her family.

Spiritual support to the dying:The perplexing task

Death and dying is inevitable part of life. Yet we are not ready to think about our own death or the death of our dear ones. In this article I try to focus on the ways described in text books to provide spiritual support to the dying and the challenges faced by health care members.

The meaning and understanding about spirituality vary widely between individuals, even if they share the same religious thoughts. Deaths now days occur mostly in the hospitals and hospices. Physicians and nurses are faced with the challenge of providing spiritual support to their dying clients.

Support to the Dying:The challenge faced by health care teams

People nurture spirituality in many ways. For some, it may be about sitting quietly in one place and meditating, for others it is about having inner conversations with higher powers or doing prayers. Spiritual energy can also be manifested in loving relationships and having a joyful mood and care and concerns for others.

Health team members face death and dying everyday as a routine. Giving spiritual support to the dying becomes extremely challenging for the health care team members. Health team members can have inner conflicts with one’s own values and that of the client under care. It is very important to explore one’s own spiritual values and make sure that it is not imposed on the clients. It is written in textbooks that spiritual needs of the dying should be assessed clearly by talking to them and measures should be taken to see that these needs are met as far as possible.

Spiritual support;Spiritual needs of the dying

Need for meaning and purpose:

This may differ from client to client. A person who has lived for many years, has afamily, children and grandchildren will have a different outlook towards the purpose of life and death compared to a person who is very young and has just started the building of his family. The latter if unfortunately on the death bed will have more anxieties, worries and guilt feelings. People dying young have deep routed repercussions on their societal responsibilities. Many a times we remain uncertain in choosing the words to address this need.

Swami Vivekananda writes,

'Great is the tenacity with which man clings to the senses. Yet, however substantial he may think the external world in which he lives and moves, there comes a time in the lives of individuals and of races when, involuntarily, they ask “is this real?" To the person who never finds a moment to question the credentials of his senses, whose every moment is occupied with some sort of sense-enjoyment—even to him death comes, and he also is compelled to ask “is this real?" Religion begins with this question and ends with its answer.'

Care of dying: Need for personal dignity

The dying person is treated with dignity when he is given privacy and his family and religious people from the faith he believes in are allowed to be at his bedside. He or she may have the extreme desire to be respected and valued. They may wish to meet the dear ones or give gifts to them. Words of gratitude from friends and family will help in uplifting the morale and may help in preparing for and accepting death.

Care of dying: Fear of death

Many patients will have fear of death. some of them may panic;some others may show other signs of anxiety; very few express. Talking to the patient frequently on multiple occasions will help in bringing out what is there in their mind. It is not good to give false reassurances,but spending time with them will give them relief to some extent.

There is a belief that whatever we do to meet the spiritual needs of the dying, it should help the person to maintain peace and calm of the mind and to have very high spiritual or positive thoughts for the state of mind at death determines the life after death (if you believe in it).

As a person who is in nursing and has seen many deaths happen in front of my eyes, I wonder, what about the spiritual needs of the people who die when they are on ventilator? Have they got enough time to talk to their loved ones before intubation? Have they expressed their concerns and future plans? Could they say bye to their children? Are they leaving the earth with a feeling of incompleteness?