Casimir Davaine
Encyclopedia
Casimir Davaine was a French
physician
known for his work in the field of microbiology
. He was a native of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux
, department of Nord.
In 1850, Davaine along with French dermatologist Pierre François Olive Rayer
(1793–1867) discovered a certain microorganism in the blood of diseased and dying sheep. In the diseased blood, Rayer and Davaine observed the bacillus which is known as Bacillus anthracis
, the causative bacterium of anthrax
. Soon afterwards, Rayer published an essay on anthrax, which contained the first description of Bacillus anthracis.
In 1863 Davaine demonstrated that the anthrax bacillus could be directly transmitted from one animal to another. He was able to identify the causative organism but was unaware of its true etiology. Later, German microbiologist Robert Koch
researched the etiology
of Bacillus anthracis
, and discovered its ability to produce "resting spores" that could stay alive in the soil for a long period of time to serve as a future source of infection.
Casimir Davaine is also credited for pioneer work in the study of septicemia (blood poisoning).
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
known for his work in the field of microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
. He was a native of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux
Saint-Amand-les-Eaux
Saint-Amand-les-Eaux is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. The town people are named Amandinois , Amandinoise ....
, department of Nord.
In 1850, Davaine along with French dermatologist Pierre François Olive Rayer
Pierre François Olive Rayer
Pierre François Olive Rayer was a French physician who was a native of Saint Sylvain. He made important contributions in the fields of pathological anatomy, physiology, comparative pathology and parasitology....
(1793–1867) discovered a certain microorganism in the blood of diseased and dying sheep. In the diseased blood, Rayer and Davaine observed the bacillus which is known as Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen of the Anthrax acute disease. It is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, with a width of 1-1.2µm and a length of 3-5µm. It can be grown in an ordinary nutrient medium under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.It is one of few bacteria known to...
, the causative bacterium of anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
. Soon afterwards, Rayer published an essay on anthrax, which contained the first description of Bacillus anthracis.
In 1863 Davaine demonstrated that the anthrax bacillus could be directly transmitted from one animal to another. He was able to identify the causative organism but was unaware of its true etiology. Later, German microbiologist Robert Koch
Robert Koch
Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch was a German physician. He became famous for isolating Bacillus anthracis , the Tuberculosis bacillus and the Vibrio cholerae and for his development of Koch's postulates....
researched the etiology
Etiology
Etiology is the study of causation, or origination. The word is derived from the Greek , aitiologia, "giving a reason for" ....
of Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen of the Anthrax acute disease. It is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, with a width of 1-1.2µm and a length of 3-5µm. It can be grown in an ordinary nutrient medium under aerobic or anaerobic conditions.It is one of few bacteria known to...
, and discovered its ability to produce "resting spores" that could stay alive in the soil for a long period of time to serve as a future source of infection.
Casimir Davaine is also credited for pioneer work in the study of septicemia (blood poisoning).