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Max Joseph von Pettenkofer

Bavarian chemist and hygienist (1818-1901) · Scientists · Died at 82

Max Joseph Pettenkofer, ennobled in 1883 as Max Joseph von Pettenkofer was a Bavarian chemist and hygienist. He is known for his work in practical hygiene, as an apostle of good water, fresh air and proper sewage disposal.

Max Joseph von Pettenkofer is read about 72 times a day, in 25 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 104 days, one point a day.

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Awards

Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art1859
Honorary Citizen of Munich
Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts order
Honorary Member

About this person

He was further known as an anti-contagionist, a school of thought, named later on, that did not believe in the then novel concept that bacteria were the main cause of disease. In particular he argued in favor of a variety of conditions collectively contributing to the incidence of disease including: personal state of health, the fermentation of environmental ground water, and also the germ in question. He was most well known for his establishment of hygiene as an experimental science and also was a strong proponent for the founding of hygiene institutes in Germany. His work served as an example which other institutes around the world emulated.

Category
Scientists
Type
Scientist
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1818 to 1901 · aged 82