Bechamp or Pasteur: A Lost Chapter in the History of Biology is a book written by Douglas Hume that explores the rivalry between two prominent scientists in the field of microbiology - Antoine Bechamp and Louis Pasteur. The book delves into their differing theories about the nature of germs and disease, and how their ideas impacted the development of modern medicine. Bechamp believed in the idea of pleomorphism, which suggests that microorganisms can change and adapt depending on their environment, while Pasteur's germ theory held that specific germs cause specific diseases. Hume argues that Bechamp's ideas were largely ignored in favor of Pasteur's, despite evidence that Bechamp's theories had more scientific merit. The book also examines the social and political factors that influenced the acceptance of Pasteur's ideas over Bechamp's. Overall, Bechamp or Pasteur offers a thought-provoking look at the history of microbiology and the development of modern medicine.Contents: Introduction; The Mystery of Fermentation; The Microzymas; The Cult of the Microbe; Valedictory; Index.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.