So basically, I'm writing an essay on the germ theory. It's based on the 19th century and my thesis is that the germ theory is the single most significant medical "discovery" in medical history.
In order to do so, I've chosen two other medical advancements in 19th century, anesthesia and blood transfusion, in order to contrast with the germ theory by saying that anesthesia and blood transfusion were monumental discoveries in the 19th century, but the germ theory was much much much more important.
I'm trying to prove that without the germ theory, blood transfusion would be considered obsolete. In order to do so, I'm trying to pursue the argument: since the germ theory exposed microorganisms and introduced microbiology, would people have even discovered what blood was made up of? What I'm trying to say is that without the germ theory, people would not have found out about blood types, right? Or am I wrong?
Are red blood cells and antibodies (for blood typing) considered microorganisms or even organisms? How can I prove that blood transfusion would be considered obsolete without the germ theory?
Note: I have not taken a bio class yet. I've taken physics and I am now in chem, so please don't expect me to know all of the biology terms, as I know barely any.
Thanks.
In order to do so, I've chosen two other medical advancements in 19th century, anesthesia and blood transfusion, in order to contrast with the germ theory by saying that anesthesia and blood transfusion were monumental discoveries in the 19th century, but the germ theory was much much much more important.
I'm trying to prove that without the germ theory, blood transfusion would be considered obsolete. In order to do so, I'm trying to pursue the argument: since the germ theory exposed microorganisms and introduced microbiology, would people have even discovered what blood was made up of? What I'm trying to say is that without the germ theory, people would not have found out about blood types, right? Or am I wrong?
Are red blood cells and antibodies (for blood typing) considered microorganisms or even organisms? How can I prove that blood transfusion would be considered obsolete without the germ theory?
Note: I have not taken a bio class yet. I've taken physics and I am now in chem, so please don't expect me to know all of the biology terms, as I know barely any.
Thanks.