Some Interesting Facts About the Prevention of Disease You Need to Know

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Bacterial diseases were a major cause of death until the middle of the 20th century. For thousands of years before that, humans had no concept of bacteria causing sickness and death. Before the 1940s, antibiotics were not used in medical practice. In 1857, Louis Pasteur, a French chemist and microbiologist proved that microorganisms cause fermentation and disease. Sir Joseph Lister founded antiseptic surgery. Before his discovery, the most trivial operation was likely to be followed by infection and death occurred in up to 50% of all surgical cases. Many times, a doctor would go from treating a seriously ill person in one room to deliver a baby, without even washing his hands. Many women died after giving birth because of the unclean conditions. After Pasteur discovered that bacteria caused fermentation, Lister, in 1865, realized that the formation of pus was also due to the body reacting to the invasion of germs. Lister’s application of antiseptics on surgeon’s hands, instruments and dressings, as well as on the patient revolutionized surgery, virtually eliminating post-surgical infections. But, we know that Jehovah God was aware that bacteria existed and could cause illness. The subject of certain skin diseases, such as leprosy, was covered extensively in the book of Leviticus, chapters 14 and 15. Chapter 14 and verse 2 says: “This will become the LAW of the leper…” and then it goes into great detail about the cleansing procedure. Notice that in verse 38, that quarantining a house known to have contained leprosy was instituted by God’s law, and is still in use today. The cleaning not only applied to the persons, but even to clothing and houses. Verses 43-47 Chapter 15 deals with uncleanness of other types and we are reminded that modern science has just RECENTLY discovered all the horrific diseases that can be sexually transmitted and transmitted from contact with someone else’s blood though transfusions and reusing needles from drug addicts. Even though these instructions seem overly detailed and somewhat graphic in description, Jehovah God’s PURPOSE was to protect his people, who had NO KNOWLEDGE about germs and bacteria. The importance of bathing and rinsing with water as a means of cleansing is mentioned many times. Leviticus 15:10-12 Today, doctors agree that the single, MOST IMPORTANT thing that we can do to prevent any illness from spreading is to WASH OUR HANDS regularly. So, even though we are no longer under the Levitical law, the PRINCIPLES are obviously still of value, considering what we NOW know about germs and bacteria. Keeping ourselves clean and maintaining holiness is still what pleases Jehovah God. And reading this from the Bible confirms that the Bible has always contained USEFUL information that we can apply to our lives today.