Explore how micro-organisms relate to disease, with clear methods and practical, testable ideas for understanding infectious illness.
This edition offers an accessible introduction to the study of micro-organisms and their role in disease. It emphasizes critical thinking, outlining reliable methods to review observations and separate strong evidence from conjecture. You’ll see how scientists determine whether a micro-organism causes a particular illness by careful experimentation and careful interpretation of results. The book also surveys the morphology and physiology of disease-related organisms, helping readers recognize key forms and behaviors under the microscope.
Starting with microscopy and preparation techniques, the text shows how fresh and stained specimens reveal important details. It discusses how to handle fluids, tissues, and artificial cultures, and it explains why certain reagents and dyes help distinguish organisms from surrounding matter. The work also connects laboratory practice to broader questions about the causation of disease, vaccination, immunity, and antiseptics.
- How to prepare and examine micro-organisms in fresh or stained samples.
- Rules that guide when an organism is likely the cause of a disease.
- Descriptions of major pathogenic forms and their laboratory behavior.
- Foundational ideas about how experiments in animals support conclusions.
Ideal for students and readers new to microbiology, this edition provides a solid framework for evaluating evidence in the field of infectious disease.
Edward Klein is a consultant with Fortune 500 companies, health and government agencies regarding leadership, executive development and organizational dynamics. He presents seminars on adult development in industrial, clinical and educational settings to executives and managers. He has published several books on dynamic leadership and consultation in a changing economy.