The Louse is Punishment for Regression
And this is the ultimate lesson that our knowledge of the mode of transmission of typhus has taught us: Man carries on his skin a parasite, the louse. Civilization rids him of it. Should man regress, should he allow himself to resemble a primitive beast, the louse begins to multiply again and treats man as he deserves, as a brute beast. This conclusion would have endeared itself to the warm heart of Alfred Nobel. My contribution to it makes me feel less unworthy of the honour which you have conferred upon me in his name.
Charles-Jules-Henri Nicolle, Investigations on Typhus (1999-06-01)
Notes
If we regress, nature will punish us with parasites.
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- Alfred Nobel Person
- typhus Health Condition
Keywords
louse, brute beast, primitive beast, ultimate lesson, Alfred Nobel, warm heart, regress, typhus, Punishment, parasites, Regression, conclusion