5. Miasma Theory of Disease
Before the arrival of germ theory, many believed that diseases such as cholera and plague spread through miasma—noxious “bad air” arising from decaying material. This theory shaped urban planning and public health for centuries, leading to efforts to eliminate foul odors as a way to combat outbreaks. It wasn’t until the late 19th century, through the pioneering work of scientists like Pasteur and Koch, that the true microbial causes of disease were uncovered. Discover more at the CDC
