Essays of Robert Koch /

Review by Choice Review

Carter's translation of some of German bacteriologist Koch's essays (1876 to 1890) has the usual strengths and weaknesses of such selected volumes: it collects works from generally unavailable sources and gives a better look at this premier bacteriologist's work than any one paper could; but some essays are more important and more accessible than others, and the collection at times becomes repetitious. The translations are, nevertheless, generally adequate and readable, and Carter's editorial additions and careful rendition of the sometimes detailed discussion of Koch's techniques are valuable. The essays and Carter's brief introduction demonstrate that Koch's two major contributions were first, his creative application of effective methods to identify and trace life cycles of bacteria for different diseases; and second, his consistent appeal to his three postulates for identifying a disease cause. The essays reveal Koch's personal idiosyncracies and jealousies as well as his gropings toward a foundation for bacteriological science. Although serious scholars will still appeal to the original papers, others should find these translations useful.-J. Maienschein, Arizona State University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

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Review by Choice Review

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