En el centenario de la muerte de Pasteur (1822-1895) / During the centenary of Pasteur's death (1822-1895)

ABSTRACT

Pasteur had annoying opponents at the Medical Academy of Paris, probably because he was not a physician. The medical aspect of his creation reached highest altitude when he vaccinated the boy José Meister against rabies. By that time, he was crippled by a hemiplegia suffered when he was 46 years old. Studying tartric acid isomer, Pasteur discovered molecular asymmetry. He hypothesized that life operated asymmetrically, when he discovered the selectivity of Penicillium glaucum fungus action on paratartrates. He discovered anaerobic life and discarded the theory of spontaneous generation. At the age of 70, he received the gratitude of France and the whole mankind, through President Carnot. On that occasion he said to youngsters "Life in the calm peace of laboratories and libraries. Ask yourselves What have I done for my instruction?. What have I done for my country?, until the moment that you reach the immense happiness of thinking that you contributed to mankind's progress and welfare"