Germ theory expanded public demand for government health regulation

Evidence

The discovery of germs—​invisible, insidious, hidden—​worked a revolution in culture, and in health. It also worked a revolution in demands on government. Chlorine in the water supply could conquer cholera. But only the government—​ state or local, and boards of health—​could make people safe. Science opened the door to a higher level of demand for legal and governmental action. Science, which revealed hidden dangers, also was a source of hope. Nature could be tamed. — Lawrence M. Friedman, A History of American Law, 2630

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the polyad thread of environmental regulation and the Noise Control Act’s science-driven expansion of government power to protect public health. — connects to: French republicans embraced germ theory as a national-security solution to perceived degeneration — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 208; The germ theory of disease drove French hygiene priorities in West Africa — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 207; France’s defeat and demographic anxiety drove acceptance of Pasteur’s germ theory

Broader Connections

• The germ theory of disease drove French hygiene priorities in West Africa #exemplifies (0.85) — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 207
• French republicans embraced germ theory as a national-security solution to perceived degeneration #expands (0.78) — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 208
• France’s defeat and demographic anxiety drove acceptance of Pasteur’s germ theory #corroborates (0.72)