Noun
(medicine) the theory that all contagious diseases are caused by microorganisms
Source: WordNetThe examples can be multiplied endlessly. Jenner and smallpox, Pasteur and germ theory. Saccharine, margarine, repressed memory, fiber and colon cancer, hormone replacement therapy. The list of consensus errors goes on and on. Michael Crichton
At the time, the germ theory of disease was very new and far from universally accepted. Source: Internet
Medicine has many fine achievements to its name from the discovery of germ theory (1849), to antibiotics (penicillin in 1942), to steroids (1948) and childhood vaccinations (e.g. measles vaccine discovery in 1963 and roll out in Ireland in 1984). Source: Internet
In 1881, Koch reported discovery of the " tubercle bacillus ", cementing germ theory and Koch's acclaim. Source: Internet
With I Am Legend, Matheson instituted the germ theory of vampirism, a take on the old archetype which has since been tackled by other writers (notably, Dan Simmons in Children of the Night from 1992). Source: Internet
The germ theory of disease in the 19th century led to cures for many infectious diseases. Source: Internet