---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During a rabies scare in 1885, Pasteur…"
description: "\"“During a rabies scare in 1885, Pasteur concocted a treatment and gave the untested drug to a nine-year-old boy, Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6f/anne-e-maczulak-29664_grown-man_during-a-rabies-scare-in-1885-pasteur-co_720613.jpg"
---

#  During a rabies scare in 1885, Pasteur concocted a…

![“During a rabies scare in 1885, Pasteur concocted a treatment and gave the untested drug to a nine-year-old boy, Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by a grocer’s dog. Three weeks later, Meister had almost fully recovered. Pasteur’s legend received considerable help by the fact that Meister hailed…” quote by Anne E. Maczulak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6f/anne-e-maczulak-29664_grown-man_during-a-rabies-scare-in-1885-pasteur-co_720613.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6f/anne-e-maczulak-29664_grown-man_during-a-rabies-scare-in-1885-pasteur-co_720613.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6f/anne-e-maczulak-29664_grown-man_during-a-rabies-scare-in-1885-pasteur-co_720613.jpg)

> ““During a rabies scare in 1885, Pasteur concocted a treatment and gave the untested drug to a nine-year-old boy, Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by a grocer’s dog. Three weeks later, Meister had almost fully recovered. Pasteur’s legend received considerable help by the fact that Meister hailed from Alsace, a region controlled by Germany but claimed by France. The tricolor declared a victory for French science and for Pasteur who had beaten the German, Robert Koch, who had like Pasteur been working on vaccines. As a grown man, Joseph Meister took a job as a guard at the Institut Pasteur after Pasteur’s death. When German troops entered Paris in 1940, they swarmed the institute’s grounds and ordered that Pasteur’s crypt be opened. Meister likely had been one of several men who defended the crypt against the Wehrmacht and prevented its defilement. Shortly after, Meister inexplicably shot himself through the head. Even this act became part of Pasteur’s celebrity.””

[Anne E. Maczulak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-e-maczulak/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The story illustrates how scientific breakthroughs become national symbols, intertwining personal sacrifice, political rivalry, and myth‑making.

**In simple terms:** Science can become a patriotic legend, mixing heroism and tragedy.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how narratives shape perception of science.

Themes

science nationalism heroism myth politics

Mood

pride reflective somber

Type

historical inspirational

When to use this quote

- medical research
- public health campaigns
- historical education
- museum exhibits
- memorial preservation

Key Concepts

vaccine development public health cultural memory war legacy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do national narratives influence scientific credibility?
- What responsibilities do scientists have when their work becomes politicized?

A Different Perspective

The tale may exaggerate individual heroism and ignore broader collaborative efforts.

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