This bibliography of Professor Bechamp’s works is organized in chronological order.
Each entry includes whatever bibliographic details are found in the various sources – e.g. works by Marie Nonclercq and Fr. Guermonprez. Where possible, a link to the PDF download of the original (French) manuscript will be included.
Additions or corrections to this bibliography are always welcome.
Antoine Bechamp: academic Theses, Books, Publications & lectures
1848: The Secretary of the Ex-Committee of Christian Democracy to the 46,000 Voters Who Answered His Call
[Le secrétaire de l’ex-comité de la Démocratie chrétienne aux 46 000 électeurs qui ont répondu à son appel].
Strasbourg: Imp. Huber, 16 pp.
1851: On Atmospheric Air Considered from the Point of View of Physics, Chemistry, and Toxicology
[De l’air atmosphérique considéré sous le point de vue de la physique, de la chimie et de la toxicologie]. Competition for the Agrégation, Strasbourg.
This aggregation thesis synthesized the mid-19th-century chemical and physical knowledge of the atmosphere. It is historically significant for establishing Béchamp’s early mastery of atmospheric composition, a subject he would later revolutionize by proving that atmospheric germs (microzymas), rather than the air itself, were the agents of fermentation. DOWNLOAD
1852: Research on Pyroxyline
[Recherches sur la pyroxyline] Chemistry Thesis for the Doctorate of Sciences, Strasbourg. (1st Memoir published in Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie, Dec. 1852).
This work focused on the chemistry of gun-cotton (nitrocellulose). Historically, this thesis is notable because Béchamp dedicated it to his then-colleague at Strasbourg, Louis Pasteur, expressing “gratitude and admiration,” marking the period of friendship before their bitter scientific rivalry began.
1853: On the Chemical Action of Light.
[De l’action chimique de la lumière] Physics Thesis for the Doctorate of Sciences, Strasbourg, 52 pp.
In this thesis, Béchamp explored the interaction between light and chemical processes. It demonstrated his dual competence in physics and chemistry, which later allowed him to utilize the polarimeter effectively to analyze optical rotation in his pivotal sugar inversion experiments.
1853: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Mineral Water of Soultzmatt (Haut-Rhin)
[Analyse qualitative et quantitative de l’eau minérale de Soultzmatt (Haut-Rhin)]. Strasbourg: Imp. Huber, 28 pp.
A chemical analysis of mineral waters in the Haut-Rhin region, marking the beginning of his interest in hydrology.
1853: On the Chemical Action of Light
[De l’action chimique de la lumière] Physics Thesis for the Doctorate of Sciences, Strasbourg, 52 pp.
In this thesis, Béchamp explored the interaction between light and chemical processes. It demonstrated his dual competence in physics and chemistry, which later allowed him to utilize the polarimeter effectively to analyze optical rotation in his pivotal sugar inversion experiments.
1854: On the Action of Iron Protosalts on Nitronaphthalene and Nitrobenzene
[De l’action des protosels de fer sur la nitronaphtaline et la nitrobenzine]. Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 42.
Describes Béchamp’s discovery of a new, low-cost method for producing aniline using iron filings and acetic acid. This economical process launched the modern synthetic dye industry.
1855: On the Action of Iron Protosalts on Nitronaphthalene and Nitrobenzene. New Method for the Formation of Zinin’s Artificial Organic Bases.
[De l’action des protosels de fer sur la nitronaphtaline et la nitrobenzine. Nouvelle méthode de formation des bases organiques artificielles de Zinin]. Paris: Imp. de Mallet-Bachelier, 11 pp. (Published in Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 42, 1855).
Describes Béchamp’s discovery of a new, low-cost method for producing aniline using iron filings and acetic acid. This economical process launched the modern synthetic dye industry.
1855: On the Influence That Pure or Salt-Charged Water Exerts on Cane Sugar in the Cold
[De l’influence que l’eau pure ou chargée de sels exerce à froid sur le sucre de canne]. Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, 19 Feb. 1855; Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie, 3rd series, Vol. 27, 15 pp. (See also: The So-Called Spontaneous Generations. Letters to Mr. Flourens, 7 pp., Jan. 1864).
Known as the “Beacon Experiment,” this paper proved that cane sugar in pure water does not invert unless molds are present. It led Béchamp to deny spontaneous generation and attribute chemical changes to living organisms.
1855: New Studies on Starch
[Nouvelles études sur l’amidon] Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 39.
Early investigation into the structure of starch, laying the groundwork for his later demonstration that starch fermentation is a vital process.
1856: Essay on Albuminoid Substances and their Transformation into Urea
[Essai sur les substances albuminoïdes et sur leur transformation en urée] Medical Thesis, Strasbourg.
A pivotal work that challenged the prevailing theory that all protein (albumin) was a single substance. By demonstrating that albuminoids could be oxidized into urea, Béchamp provided a chemical basis for physiological respiration and nutrition, earning praise from J.B. Dumas for solving a major physiological problem.
1856: On Ammonium Molybdate as a Reagent for Phosphoric Acid and Arsenic Acid
[Du molybdate d’ammoniaque comme réactif de l’acide phosphorique et de l’acide arsinique]. Journal de Physique et Chimie, Vol. 44, Jan. 1856, 3 pp.
1856: Memoir on Xyloidin and on New Nitric Derivatives of Starch
[Mémoire sur la xyloidine et sur les nouveaux dérivés nitriques de la fécule]. Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 64, 1856, 34 pp.
1856: Memoir on the Products of the Transformation of Starch and Woody Matter under the Influence of Alkalis, Zinc Chloride, and Acids
[Mémoire sur les produits de la transformation de la fécule et du ligneux sous l’influence des alcalis, du chlorure de zinc et des acides]. Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 41, p. 817; Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 48, 46 pp.
1856: On the Atomicity of Phosphotic Acid and Chloride
[Sur l’atomicité de l’acide et du chloride phosphotique]. With C. Saintpierre. Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 42, p. 224, 1856, 6 pp.
1856: Research on the Constitution of Ethers
[Recherches sur la constitution des éthers] Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 42.
A contribution to organic chemistry theory regarding the atomic arrangement of ether compounds.
1857: On the Variation of the Rotatory Power of Starch Sugar
[Sur la variation du pouvoir rotatoire de sucre de fécule] Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 42.
An early application of the polarimeter to track chemical changes in sugars, a method that became central to his fermentation experiments.
1857: Essay on the Progress of Organic Chemistry since Lavoisier
[Essai sur les progrès de la chimie organique depuis Lavoisier] Opening Lecture (5 January), Faculty of Medicine, Montpellier, 38 pp. Imp. Boehm.
This was his inaugural lecture upon taking the Chair of Medical Chemistry at Montpellier. It outlined his scientific philosophy, rejecting the separation between organic and mineral chemistry and affirming that matter is only “organic” when organized into living structures.
1858: On the Influence That Pure or Salt-Charged Water Exerts on Cane Sugar in the Cold
[De l’influence que l’eau pure ou chargée de sels exerce à froid sur le sucre de canne] (Full Memoir). Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 54.
The complete account of the ‘Beacon Experiment’, demonstrating that creosote prevents the invasion of molds and thus prevents fermentation, establishing the vitalistic theory of fermentation.
1858: Report on an Expert Assessment on Two Interesting Cases of Bloodstain Examination
[Rapporteur dans une expertise sur deux cas intéressants d’examen de taches de sang]. With E. Rene and G. Chancel. Montpellier: Imp. Baillère.
Description: A forensic report on bloodstains, illustrating the application of his chemical expertise to legal medicine.
1859: Memoir on Some New Oxychlorides and on Some Phenomena of Chemical Statics, Relative to the Basic Combinations of the Principal Sesquioxides
[Mémoire sur quelques oxychlorures nouveaux et sur quelques phénomènes de statique chimique, relatifs aux combinaisons basiques des principaux sesquioxydes]. Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 57, p. 859, 47 pp.
1859 (uncertain): Research on the Products of the Oxidation of Albuminoid Substances by Potassium Permanganate
[Recherches sur les produits de l’oxydation des substances albuminoides par l’hypermanganate de potasse]. 6 pp., Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 3rd series, Vol. 57. (Date uncertain, likely circa 1859 based on volume number).
This study continues Béchamp’s fundamental research into the chemical constitution of proteins (albuminoids). By using potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent, he sought to replicate physiological oxidation processes in the laboratory, further supporting his demonstration that urea is derived from the oxidation of albuminoid matter rather than being a pre-existing substance merely separated by the kidneys.
1859: On the Metals That May Exist in the Blood or the Viscera and Especially on So-Called Physiological Copper
[Sur les métaux qui peuvent exister dans le sang ou les viscères et spécialement sur le cuivre dit physiologique] Montpellier Médical, Oct. 1859, 29 pp.
A toxicological study identifying copper as a physiological component of blood, challenging prevailing views on metal toxicity.
1860: On the Preparation and Characteristics of Bismuth Subnitrate
[Sur la préparation et les caractères du sous-nitrate de bismuth] With C. Saintpierre, April 1860. Montpellier Médical, 19 pp. Imp. Boehm, Montpellier.
1860: On the Generation of Fuchsine, a New Organic Base, Red Coloring Matter, Derived from Aniline
[Sur la génération de la fuchsine, nouvelle base organique, matière colorante rouge, dérivée de l’aniline].
Describes the synthesis of fuchsine dye using arsenic acid. This work contributed to the dye industry but led Béchamp to investigate arsenic residues in wines.
1860: Research on the Origin of Urea
[Recherches sur l’origine de l’urée] Published in Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 49, 1860.
A physiological study tracing the biochemical precursors of urea, continuing the work of his medical thesis. This research supported his view that urea is formed by the oxidation of albuminoid substances (proteins) in the blood, providing a chemical basis for physiological respiration and nutrition.
1861: On the Toxicological Research of Arsenic and Antimony
[Sur la recherche toxicologique de l’arsenic et de l’antimoine] Montpellier Médical, Feb. 1861, 21 pp.
This work likely details the analytical methods Béchamp developed following his 1860 synthesis of fuchsine dye using arsenic acid. That discovery led him to investigate the public health risks of arsenic residues in wines and other products.
1861: On the Intervention of Chemistry in the Explanation of the Therapeutic Effects of Medicines
[De l’intervention de la chimie dans l’explication des effets thérapeutiques des médicaments] 37 pp., Montpellier Médical, Aug./Sept. 1861. Imp. Boehm, Montpellier.
A treatise published during his tenure at the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier, discussing the application of chemical principles to pharmacology and the understanding of drug mechanisms.
1861: Chemical Study of the Glairy Matters Deposited in the Waters of Molitg (Eastern Pyrenees)
[Etude chimique des matières glaireuses déposées dans les eaux de Molitg (Pyr. Or.)] With C. Saintpierre, 13 pp. Montpellier Médical, March 1861. Imp. Boehm, Montpellier.
A chemical analysis of the organic, viscous deposits found in the thermal waters of Molitg. This work continues Béchamp’s research into hydrology and mineral waters.
1861: New Chemical Analysis of the Thermal Waters of Balaruc-les-Bains
[Nouvelle analyse chimique des eaux thermales de Balaruc-les-Bains] With A. Gautier. 46 pp., Montpellier Médical, May 1861.
This publication is part of Béchamp’s extensive hydrological research, in which he applied chemical analysis to various mineral waters in the region, similar to his studies on the waters of Soultzmatt and Molitg.
1861: On the Existence of Several Odorous Fatty Acids and Homologues in the Fruit of the Ginkgo Biloba
[Sur l’existence de plusieurs acides gras odorants et homologues dans le fruit du gingko biloba] 20 pp. Communication at Montpellier in 1859, recalled by Mr. Chevreul: Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 53, Dec. 1861, p. 1225.
A phytochemical study originally presented in 1859. The work was later highlighted by the renowned chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul in the Academy of Sciences, acknowledging Béchamp’s identification of volatile fatty acids in the fruit.
1862:On the Variations in the Quantity of Certain Immediate Principles of Wine and on the Transformations That These Principles Undergo Following Certain Spontaneous Alterations
[Sur les variations dans la quantité de certains principes immédiats du vin et sur les transformations que ces principes subissent par suite de certaines altérations spontanées] 14 pp., Messager Agricole, Montpellier, 1862.
A chemical study analyzing the changes in wine constituents during spoilage. This work reflects Béchamp’s increasing focus on oenology while working in the wine-producing Hérault region, serving as a precursor to his comprehensive lessons on vinous fermentation published in the same journal the following year.
1863: On Acetic Acid and Volatile Fatty Acids of Alcoholic Fermentation
[Sur l’acide acétique et les acides gras volatils de la fermentation alcoolique] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 56 (LVI), 1863.
In this study, Béchamp established that acetic acid is a normal product of alcoholic fermentation, contradicting Pasteur’s initial denial of this fact.
1863: Analysis of the Acidulous-Alkaline Ferruginous Mineral Waters of Boulou.
[Analyse des eaux minérales acidules-alcalines ferrugineuses du Boulou]
A chemical analysis of the iron-rich (ferruginous) mineral waters of Le Boulou. This work is part of Béchamp’s broader research into the chemical composition of regional thermal springs; he would later publish a “new analysis” of these same waters in 1869.
1863: Report on the Nature, Value, and Quantity of Fertilizers Employed Annually in the Department of Hérault.
[Rapport sur la nature, la valeur et la quantité des engrais employés annuellement dans le département de l’Hérault] 39 pp., Imp. Pierre Grollier, Montpellier.
This report highlights Béchamp’s engagement with practical agricultural chemistry in the Hérault region. Published during the same period as his major works on wine fermentation, this text demonstrates his role as a scientific authority addressing the industrial and agricultural needs of the local community.
1863: Lessons on Vinous Fermentation and Wine Making.
[Leçons sur la fermentation vineuse et sur la fabrication du vin] 72 pp., Messager Agricole, Oct. 1863. Imp. typo de Gras, Montpellier.
Written while Béchamp was situated in the wine-producing Hérault region, this work applied his fermentation theories to oenology. He argued that the “ferment” is a living, organized being that reproduces and dies, producing alcohol as a function of its nutrition—a stance that directly opposed the purely chemical theories of fermentation prevalent at the time. DOWNLOAD
1863: On the Acids of Wine.
[Sur les acides du vin] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 57.
In this study, Béchamp concluded that the organism responsible for grape fermentation originates from the grape itself (specifically the skin and stalk). This finding anticipated later scientific conflicts regarding the true origin of yeasts.
1863: Decolorizing Action That Urine Exerts on Tincture of Iodine.
[Action décolorante que l’urine exerce sur la teinture d’iode] Letter to M. Moutet. Montpellier Médical, Jan. 1863.
In this letter, Béchamp details the specific chemical observation that urine has the capacity to decolorize iodine. This work falls within his broader physiological research into the chemical constitution of biological fluids, a subject he explored extensively during this period—ranging from the origin of urea to his subsequent discovery of the soluble ferment “nephrozymase” in urine.
1863: Lessons on Vinous Fermentation and Wine-making.
[Leçons sur la fermentation vineuse et sur la fabrication du vin] 72 pp., Messager Agricole, Oct. 1863. Imp. typo de Gras, Montpellier.
Written while Béchamp was situated in the wine-producing region of the Hérault, this paper applied his fermentation theories to oenology. He argued that the “ferment” is an organized being that lives, reproduces, and dies, producing alcohol as a function of its nutrition—a stance that directly opposed the purely chemical theories of fermentation prevalent at the time.
1864: On Alcoholic Fermentation.
[Sur la fermentation alcoolique] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 58, 1864.
Description: In this key paper, Béchamp first publicly used the word zymase to designate the soluble ferment isolated from yeast.
1864: On New Soluble Ferments (Anthozymas).
[Sur de nouveaux ferments solubles (Anthozymas)] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 59, 1864.
In this study, Béchamp identified “anthozymas” in flowers, demonstrating that plants secrete specific soluble ferments to facilitate their own metabolic changes. This research expanded his work on enzymatic activity beyond yeast, reinforcing his view that living organisms utilize these secreted substances to function.
1864: On the So-Called Spontaneous Generations: Current State of the Question.
[Sur les générations dites spontanées: état actuel de la question] Annales de la Société Linnéenne du Maine et Loire. Imp. de Gras, Montpellier, 1865.
In this comprehensive review, Béchamp argued against the theory of spontaneous generation. He utilized his experiments with creosote to demonstrate that airborne germs, rather than spontaneous forces, are the agents responsible for alterations in sterile mediums.
1865: Letter to Dumas on the Theory of Antisepticism.
[Letter to Dumas sur la théorie de l’antisepticité] Annales de Chimie et de Physique, 4th series, Vol. 6 (VI), p. 248, 1865.
Addressed to the renowned chemist J.B. Dumas – who had previously praised Béchamp’s work on urea – this letter outlines Béchamp’s views on how antiseptic substances function,. Building on his “Beacon Experiment” with creosote, Béchamp argued that antiseptics prevent fermentation by inhibiting the vital activity of living organisms (germs or microzymas) rather than through purely chemical means. This ongoing scientific dialogue with Dumas regarding the precise action of antiseptics would continue, as seen in Béchamp’s later work (1872) regarding the specific inhibitory effects of borax.
1865: Memoir on Nephrozymase in the Normal and Pathological State.
[Mémoire sur la néphrozymase dans l’état normal et dans l’état pathologique] 74 pp. Montpellier Médical, 1865.
In this significant work, Béchamp announced the discovery of a soluble ferment (enzyme) in urine, which he named nephrozymase. This finding established the kidney as a true secretory organ capable of specific chemical functions, rather than a passive filter.
1866: On the Role of Chalk in Butyric and Lactic Fermentations and the Living Organisms It Currently Contains.
[Du rôle de la craie dans les fermentations butyriques et lactiques et des organismes actuellement vivants qu’elle contient].
Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 63 (LXIII), p. 451, 1866.
In this landmark study, Béchamp announced the discovery of Microzyma cretaewithin geological chalk formations. He demonstrated that this ancient chalk contained dormant organisms that were still capable of fermenting sugar, a finding that led him to suggest these microzymas are the “immortal elements of life”.
1866: On the Innocuity of Creosote Vapors in the Rearing of Silkworms.
[Sur l’inocuité des vapeurs de créosote dans les éducations des vers à soie] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, 1866.
In this study regarding the silkworm disease “pébrine,” Béchamp identified the specific “corpuscles” found in infected worms as external parasites. He demonstrated that creosote vapors were harmless (innocuous) to the silkworms themselves, thereby establishing the safety of using this antiseptic as a preventative measure against the disease.
1866: On the Current Silkworm Disease, Its Cause and the Means Proposed to Combat It.
[Sur la maladie actuelle des vers à soie, sa cause et les moyens proposés pour la combattre] Revue scientifique du Messager du Midi, Imp. de Gras, 1866. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 62, p. 1341 (1866) and Vol. 64, pp. 1043–1185 (1866).
In this pivotal work, Béchamp identified the specific “corpuscles” found in sick silkworms as external parasites that cause the disease known as “pébrine”. He further demonstrated the harmlessness of creosote vapors to the worms, proposing this antiseptic method as a preventative measure. This research laid the groundwork for his later claims of priority over Pasteur regarding the etiology of silkworm diseases.
1866: Historical Eulogy of J.A. Chaptal.
[Eloge historique de J.A. Chaptal] Delivered at the Faculty of Medicine, Montpellier. Paris: Imp. P. Asselin. 54 pp. and bibliography, Nov. 15, 1866. Félix Séguin et Coulet, Montpellier.
In this historical discourse, Béchamp honored the renowned chemist and statesman Jean-Antoine Chaptal. This work illustrates Béchamp’s broader interest in the history of science and his specific respect for his predecessors in the chemical arts.
1866-67: Montpellier Weekly Scientific Review.
[Revue scientifique hebdomadaire de Montpellier] Topic unknown. With Estor, Pecholior, and Saintpierre. 2 vol. in 12, Paris and Montpellier, 1866–1867.
This entry documents a collaborative publication involving Béchamp and his colleagues Estor, Pecholier, and Saintpierre.
1867: Analysis of the Waters of Vergèze.
[Analyse des eaux de Vergèze] 33 pp., Imp. Boehm, Montpellier, 1867.
This publication documents a chemical analysis of the waters in Vergèze. It represents a continuation of Béchamp’s extensive research into hydrology and mineral waters, a field of study he had been pursuing since 1853.
1867: Facts to Serve the History of the Parasitic Disease of Silkworms Called “Pébrine” and Especially the Development of the Vibrating Corpuscle.
[Faits pour servir à l’histoire de la maladie parasitaire des vers à soie appelée “pébrine” et spécialement du développement du corpuscule vibrant] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 64, April 29, 1867.
In this paper, Béchamp provided further evidence regarding the parasitic nature of the silkworm disease known as “pébrine.” He focused on the life cycle and development of the “vibrating corpuscle” (the parasite responsible for the infection), reinforcing his earlier conclusion that the disease was caused by an external parasite rather than a constitutional defect,. This work was published during a period of intense scientific contention, shortly before Béchamp formally addressed the Academy regarding his priority over Louis Pasteur concerning the parasitic etiology of the disease.
1867: Role of Microscopic Organisms of the Mouth in Digestion in General.
[Rôle des organismes microscopiques de la bouche dans la digestion en général] With Estor and Saintpierre. Presented to the Academy of Sciences April 2, 1867; 6 pp., Montpellier Médical, Nov. 1867.
In this collaborative study with Estor and Saintpierre, Béchamp investigated the function of oral microorganisms in the digestive process. This work represents an early application of his broader theory regarding “physiological fermentations,” in which he posited that digestion is a vital act facilitated by living organized elements (microzymas) rather than a purely chemical process. This line of inquiry laid the foundation for his later research demonstrating that specific microzymas in the stomach and other organs are responsible for digestive transformations.
1867: The Parasitic Nature of the Current Silkworm Disease and M. Pasteur.
[La nature parasitaire de la maladie actuelle des vers à soie et M. Pasteur] 11 pp., Letter to the President of the Academy of Sciences, May 12, 1867. Imp. Boehm, Montpellier.
In this formal letter to the Academy of Sciences, Béchamp asserted his findings regarding the parasitic nature of the silkworm disease (pébrine) in direct relation to the work of Louis Pasteur. This document is historically significant as a marker of the intensifying rivalry between the two scientists; having previously identified the disease’s “corpuscles” as external parasites and proposed antiseptic treatments, Béchamp here defended his priority over Pasteur regarding the disease’s etiology. This correspondence foreshadows Béchamp’s later bitter accusations that Pasteur had plagiarized these specific discoveries. DOWNLOAD
1867: On the Existence of Specific Parasites On and In Certain Sick Silkworms: The “Restés Petits”.
[Sur l’existence de parasites particuliers sur et dans certains vers à soie malades : les “restés petits”] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, p. 1044, 1867.
In this paper, Béchamp investigated a specific condition in sick silkworms – those that failed to grow or remained stunted (“restés petits”). This observation was part of his broader research demonstrating the presence of specific parasites in diseased worms, reinforcing his conclusion that the “corpuscles” found in the worms were parasitic agents responsible for the infection known as pébrine. This work was conducted during a period of intense rivalry with Louis Pasteur regarding the etiology of these silkworm diseases.
1867: Advice to Sericulturists on the Use of Creosote in the Rearing of Silkworms.
[Conseils aux sériciculteurs sur l’emploi de la créosote dans l’éducation des vers à soie] 23 pp., Coulet, Montpellier, 1867.
In this practical pamphlet, Béchamp translated his scientific findings into actionable advice for silk farmers. Having previously demonstrated that creosote vapors were harmless (innocuous) to silkworms, he provided specific instructions on using this antiseptic agent to combat the parasitic disease known as “pébrine”. This publication illustrates Béchamp’s efforts to apply his chemical and biological discoveries directly to the agricultural crisis of the time, serving as a companion to his scientific arguments regarding the parasitic nature of the disease and his priority dispute with Louis Pasteur.
1867: On the Circulation of Carbon in Nature and the Intermediaries of This Circulatio.
[De la circulation du carbone dans la nature et des intermédiaires de cette circulation] 103 pp.; Conference given in Montpellier, 1867, Librairie Asselin, Paris; Seguin, Montpellier.
In this major conference paper, Béchamp formulated his cyclic theory of life: plants unite mineral matter into organic matter, and animals (via microzymas) break it back down to mineral matter. It contains his early assertions that “microzymas” are the imperishable anatomical elements of life found in all organisms.
1868: Analysis of the Sulphurous Waters of Les Fumade.
[Analyse des eaux sulfureuses des Fumades] 33 pp., Montpellier Médical, August 1868.
In this report, Béchamp presented a chemical analysis of the sulfur-rich waters of Les Fumades. This work represents a continuation of his extensive research into hydrology and mineral waters, a field he had been investigating since his early analysis of the Soultzmatt springs in 1853. It demonstrates his ongoing commitment to evaluating regional water sources for their chemical composition and potential medical utility.
1868: On Nutrition.
[De l’alimentation]. 76 pp., Conference given in Lyon, March 1868; Montpellier Médical, 1868.
This publication serves as a transcript of a conference Béchamp delivered regarding the metabolic roles of food. In this work, he integrated his extensive chemical knowledge with his emerging microzymian theory to explain how nutrition sustains the living organism, bridging the gap between pure chemistry and physiological function.
1868: M. Pasteur and the Silkworm Disease Known as “Morts-Flats”
[M. Pasteur et la maladie des vers à soie, dite des “morts-flats”]. Letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, July 12, 1868. 6 pp., Montpellier Médical, August 1868.
In this letter, Béchamp addressed the Academy regarding the specific silkworm condition known as “morts-flats” (flacherie). By this time, Béchamp had distinguished this ailment from the parasitic disease “pébrine,” identifying “morts-flats” not as an infection by external parasites, but as a “microzymian disease” – a dysfunction of the worm’s own internal microzymas (an auto-infection),. This publication highlights the intense priority dispute between Béchamp and Louis Pasteur; Béchamp contended that his specific discoveries regarding the distinct etiologies of these two silkworm scourges were being appropriated without credit.
1868: On the Microzymian Disease of Silkworms, Regarding a Recent Claim by M. Pasteur.
[Sur la maladie à microzymas des vers à soie, à propos d’une récente réclamation de M. Pasteur]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 67, p. 102, 1868; Montpellier Médical.
In this specific note to the Academy, Béchamp addressed a recent claim made by Louis Pasteur regarding the etiology of silkworm diseases. Having already distinguished the parasitic disease (“pébrine”) from the constitutional disease known as “flacherie” (or “morts-flats”), Béchamp here asserted his priority and theoretical framework regarding the latter. He defined this second condition as a “microzymian disease,” caused not by external parasites, but by a dysfunction of the worm’s own internal microzymas (an auto-infection), a distinction which he maintained Pasteur was obscuring or appropriating.
1868: On the Spontaneous Alcoholic and Acetic Fermentation of Eggs.
[Sur la fermentation alcoolique et acétique spontanée des oeufs]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 67, p. 523, 1868.
In this study, Béchamp investigated the decomposition of eggs, demonstrating that they could undergo alcoholic and acetic fermentation without the introduction of external airborne germs. This work supported his developing theory of “physiological fermentations,” wherein he argued that the agents of fermentation (microzymas) are inherent to living organisms and can initiate chemical changes from within, challenging the prevailing view that such alterations were solely caused by external contamination.
1868:On the Microzymas of the Pulmonary Tubercle in the Cretaceous [Chalky] State.
[Sur les microzymas du tubercule pulmonaire à l’état du crétacé]. With A. Estor. 9 pp., Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 67, p. 534; Montpellier Médical, Dec. 1868.
In this paper co-authored with Alfred Estor, Béchamp extended his microzymian theory to human pathology, specifically investigating the calcified (chalk-like) lesions of tuberculosis. Drawing a parallel to his 1866 discovery of “Microzyma cretae” in geological chalk, this study argued that the fundamental units of life – microzymas – persist even within diseased and mineralized tissue. This work reinforced Béchamp’s assertion that these microscopic granules are imperishable and capable of surviving the destruction of the organs they inhabit.
1868: The Microzymian Disease of Silkworms and Molecular Granulations.
[La maladie microzymateuse des vers à soie et les granulations moléculaires]. 4 pp., Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 67, p. 443, August 17, 1868.
In this pivotal paper, Béchamp formally distinguished a second major silkworm disease – distinct from the parasitic “pébrine” – which is known as flacherie (or morts-flats). He identified this condition as a “microzymian disease,” characterizing it not as an external infection, but as a dysfunction of the worm’s own “molecular granulations” (microzymas), resulting in an auto-infection. This work laid the foundation for his broader theory that bacteria can evolve from the body’s own internal elements when the organism becomes diseased.
1869: New Analysis of the Acidulous-Alkaline Ferruginous Mineral Waters of Le Boulou.
[Nouvelle Analyse des eaux minérales acidules-alcalines ferrugineuses de Boulou]. 40 pp., Imp. Boehm, Montpellier, 1869.
In this report, Béchamp provided an updated chemical evaluation of the mineral waters at Le Boulou (Pyrénées-Orientales), having previously analyzed these springs in 1863. This publication is part of his broader, long-standing series of hydrological studies – ranging from Soultzmatt in 1853 to Les Fumades in 1868 – in which he applied analytical chemistry to determine the specific mineral content and potential therapeutic value of regional water sources. DOWNLOAD
1869: Research on the State of Sulfur in Sulphurous Mineral Waters. Essay on One of the Probable Causes of the Formation of These Waters.
[Recherches sur l’état du soufre dans les eaux minérales sulfurées. Essai sur l’une des causes probables de la formation de ces eaux]. Montpellier Médical, 1st quarter 1869.
In this study, Béchamp investigated the chemical nature of sulfur within mineral springs and proposed a theoretical explanation for their genesis. This essay represents a continuation of his long-standing research into hydrology and the chemistry of natural waters, building upon his previous analyses of springs at Soultzmatt (1853), Balaruc-les-Bains (1861), and Les Fumades (1868).
1869: On the Origin of the Microzymian Disease of Silkworms.
[Sur l’origine de la maladie microzymateuse des vers à soie]. 5 pp., Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 69 (LXIX), p. 139; Montpellier Médical, August 1869.
In this paper, Béchamp further elaborated on the etiology of the “microzymian disease” of silkworms (known as flacherie or morts-flats), which he had formally distinguished from the parasitic disease “pébrine” the previous year,. Focusing on the origin of the malady, Béchamp argued that this condition was an auto-infection resulting from a dysfunction of the worm’s own constitutional elements – its microzymas – rather than an invasion by external parasites. This work supported his broader theory that bacteria are not always external invaders but can evolve from internal microzymas when an organism’s health is compromised, a concept he was simultaneously exploring in his notes on the origin of bacteria.
1869: On the Fermentation of Alcohol by the Microzymas of the Liver
[De la fermentation de l’alcool par les microzymas du foie]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences (C.R. Ac. Sc.), Vol. 68 (LXVIII), 1869.
In this study, Béchamp demonstrated that the liver contains specific organisms — microzymas — capable of digesting alcohol. This work provided critical evidence for his developing theory of “physiological fermentation,” asserting that fermentation is not merely a pathological decomposition caused by external germs, but a normal, internal metabolic process driven by the body’s own granular elements,.
1869: Facts Serving the History of the Origin of Bacteria.
[Faits pour servir à l’histoire de l’origine des bactéries]. 6 pp., Note presented to the Academy of Sciences, Feb. 22, 1869.
Described as a “pivotal paper,” this note formally presented Béchamp’s theory that bacteria can evolve directly from microzymas. Based on observations in both plant and animal tissues, Béchamp argued that bacteria are not necessarily external invaders, but can arise through the transformation of the organism’s own fundamental granular elements. This work laid the groundwork for his concept of pleomorphism, supporting his simultaneous conclusion that certain diseases (like the “morts-flats” of silkworms) are auto-infections caused by the morbid evolution of internal microzymas rather than by foreign germs.
1869: On Nutrition
[De l’alimentation]. Conference given in Lyon (March 1868), published in Montpellier Médical.
This publication presents the transcript of a conference Béchamp delivered in Lyon in March 1868. Comprising 76 pages, the work addresses the metabolic roles of food, integrating Béchamp’s chemical expertise with his emerging microzymian theory. Within this text, he utilized his new theoretical framework to explain the physiological processes by which nutrition sustains the living organism.
1870:On the Microzymas of Higher Organisms.
[Des microzymas des organismes supérieurs]. 16 pp., Montpellier Médical, Jan. 1870.
Published in January 1870, this paper formally extended Béchamp’s microzymian theory from his specific studies of silkworms and the liver (1869) to the general physiology of complex animals,. It represents a crucial step in his work, establishing the microzyma as the fundamental anatomical element of “higher organisms,” and serves as the immediate precursor to his paper regarding pathology and therapeutics later that year, in which he would argue that disease is a “disharmonious fermentation” of these internal elements.
1870: Microzymas, Pathology, and Therapeutics.
[Les Microzymas, la Pathologie et la Thérapeutique]. Paper read before the Academy of Medicine, 1870.
In this address to the Academy of Medicine, Béchamp formally applied his biological discoveries to the fields of medicine and disease treatment. He outlined his central thesis that disease is often a “disharmonious fermentation” of the body’s own constituent elements (microzymas) rather than solely the result of external invasion. This paper is historically significant for establishing that Béchamp’s physiological theory of disease was formulated and presented before the “germ theory” (panspermia) achieved dominance in the scientific community.
1870:Research on the Nature of Kyesteine.
[Recherches sur la nature de la kyestéine]. 24 pp., Montpellier Médical, Oct. 1870.
In this paper, Béchamp investigated the chemical and histological nature of kyesteine (a pellicle forming on urine). This work represents a continuation of his urological research, bridging his 1865 discovery of “nephrozymase” (a soluble ferment in urine) and his later 1873 conclusion that urinary microzymas are responsible for pathological ammoniacal fermentation. Published during a prolific year in which he also addressed the Academy of Medicine on pathology and therapeutics, this study applied his microzymian theory to the analysis of specific physiological products. (Please note: The specific definition of kyesteine as a film historically associated with the urine of pregnant women is not explicitly detailed in the provided source text but is necessary context for the title).
1870: On the Preparation of Pyrotartaric Acid.
[Sur la préparation de l’acide pyrotartrique] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 70, 1870.
Béchamp detailed a specific method for synthesizing pyrotartaric acid, thereby contributing to the broader field of organic acid chemistry. Published during the same prolific year in which he presented his major theoretical work on “Microzymas, Pathology, and Therapeutics”, this study demonstrates that Béchamp continued to pursue rigorous experimental research in pure chemistry alongside his biological investigations.
1871: New Method for the Incineration of Vegetable and Animal Matters…
[Nouvelle méthode d’incinération des matières végétales et animales…] Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 73, 1871.
In this technical paper, Béchamp described a newly developed method for burning off organic matter from plant and animal samples without losing their volatile mineral components. He utilized this precise analytical technique to demonstrate that yeast contains specific essential minerals, most notably phosphorus, thereby providing chemical evidence for the complex biological organization of ferments.
1872: On the Nature of Organized Corpuscles of the Atmosphere and on the Share Belonging to Them in the Phenomena of Fermentation.
[Sur la nature des corpuscules organisés de l’atmosphère et sur la part qui leur revient dans les phénomènes de fermentation]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 74, p. 629.
In this paper, Béchamp examined the specific role of airborne “organized corpuscles” (germs) in fermentation, continuing his long-standing investigation into the limits of atmospheric influence versus the activity of internal microzymas.
1872: On the Action of Borax in Fermentation Phenomena.
[Sur l’action du borax dans les phénomènes de fermentation]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 75, 1872.
In this study on antiseptics, which served as a response to the chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Béchamp demonstrated that certain substances — specifically borax — can inhibit the function of microzymas without actually killing them.
1872: Research on the Composition of “Belloc” Poplar Charcoal.
[Recherches sur la composition du charbon de peuplier dit de Belloc]. 15 pp., Imp. de P. Grollier, Montpellier, 1872.
This publication details Béchamp’s chemical research into the composition of a specific type of charcoal made from poplar wood, known as “Belloc” charcoal.
1872: Analysis of the Lavalette Spring and Two New Sources at the Hydro-Mineral Station of Euzet-les-Bains.
[Analyse de la source Lavalette et de deux nouvelles sources de la station hydro-minérale d’Euzet-les-bains]. 23 pp., Montpellier Médical, 1872.
In this paper, Béchamp presented a chemical analysis of the Lavalette spring and two newly discovered sources at the Euzet-les-Bains mineral station. This study continued his long-standing hydrological research, which began in 1853 with the analysis of waters in the Haut-Rhin region. Béchamp would subsequently classify the waters at this station as “bituminous-sulfurous,” “magnesian,” “ferruginous,” and “cuprous” in a follow-up publication the next year.
1872: Observations on… the communication of M. Pasteur.
[Observations sur… la communication de M. Pasteur]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 75, 1872.
Written with his collaborator A. Estor, this paper is a direct rebuttal to Louis Pasteur’s claim of discovering “physiological fermentation.” Béchamp and Estor argued that they had already established and taught this concept—that fermentation is a normal physiological function of living tissues — years prior to Pasteur’s communication.
1872: The Microzymas
[Les Microzymas ] A collection of early papers.
This title often refers to a collection of his memoirs submitted to the Academy of Sciences regarding the nature of the “little bodies” he found in chalk and fermentations. It establishes the claim that these microscopic granules are living ferments capable of building cells.
1873: Euzet-les-bains, Mineral Waters: 1. Purgative Bituminous-Sulfurous 2. Magnesian, Ferruginous, Cuprous.
[Euzet-les-bains, Eaux minérales : 1° bitumo-sulfureuses purgatives 2° magnésiennes, ferrugineuses, cuivreuses]. 8 pp., Imp. de Roger et Laporte, 1871. Ibid, 8 pp., 1873.
This publication formally classifies the waters of Euzet-les-Bains into two distinct categories based on their chemical composition. It serves as a specific follow-up to his 1872 analysis of the Lavalette spring at the same station. The identification of cuprous (copper-containing) waters is particularly consistent with Béchamp’s earlier physiological research, in which he challenged the view of copper as solely toxic by identifying it as a natural component of blood.
1873: On the Microzymas of Urine and the Cause of the Pathological Ammoniacal Fermentation of this Liquid.
[Sur les microzymas de l’urine et la cause de la fermentation ammoniacale pathologique de ce liquide]. 11 pp., Montpellier Médical, 1873.
In this study, Béchamp identified the microzymas present in urine as the specific agents responsible for ammoniacal fermentation. This finding was significant because it contradicted the prevailing scientific view that this type of fermentation was caused solely by external germs entering the liquid.
1873: On the Bletting of Sorb Apples and the Cause Producing the Alcohol Discovered Therein.
[Sur le blessissement des sorbes et sur la cause productrice de l’alcool qu’on y découvre]. 15 pp., Revue des Sciences Naturelles, 1873; Imp. Boehm, Montpellier.
This paper investigates the “bletting” (over-ripening) of sorb apples (service berries). In this study, Béchamp identified the specific cause of the alcohol production discovered within the fruit, providing further evidence for his theory that fermentation is a physiological process inherent to the plant tissue itself.
1873: Research on Isomerism in Albuminoid Matters.
[Recherches sur l’isomérie dans les matières albuminoides]. 10 pp., Montpellier Médical, 1873.
This publication focuses on the chemical phenomenon of isomerism — where molecules share the same formula but have different structures — within albuminoid substances (proteins). This work was part of Béchamp’s lifelong investigation into the chemistry of life, serving as a bridge between his 1856 medical thesis, which first challenged the idea that all protein was a single substance, and his massive 1883 , which definitively demonstrated that albuminoids are distinct, specific substances rather than a single undifferentiated “protoplasm”.
Date uncertain: Are Microzymas Living Beings? Exposition of a General Theory of Antisepticity
[Les microzymas sont-ils des êtres vivants? Exposition d’une théorie générale de l’antisepticité]. Bulletin de l’Académie de Médecine, 2nd series, Vol. 11, p. 497.
While the source lists this publication as “date uncertain,” it appears chronologically among the 1873 entries. The paper presents a general theory regarding the action of antiseptics and addresses the fundamental question of whether microzymas are independent living entities.
1873: Physiological Transformation of Bacteria into Microzymas and of Microzymas into Bacteria in the Intestinal Tube of the Same Animal.
[Transformation physiologique des bactéries en microzymas et des microzymas en bactéries dans le tube intestinal du même animal]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Vol. 76, p. 1143, 1873. (With A. Estor).
In this study, Béchamp and his collaborator A. Estor demonstrated that bacteria within the intestine could revert to their microzymian form. This observation provided critical evidence for the theory of pleomorphism — the ability of these organisms to change their form based on their environment — rather than being fixed, unchangeable species.
1874: Report on the Works of the Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier during the School Year 1873-1874.
[Rapport sur les travaux de la Faculté de Médecine de Montpellier pendant l’année scolaire 1873-1874]. 39 pp., Imp. Jean Martel, Montpellier, 1874.
This publication is an official administrative report summarizing the academic and scientific activities of the Faculty of Medicine at Montpellier for the 1873–1874 school year. It documents the work conducted during Béchamp’s tenure as a professor at Montpellier, shortly before he assumed the position of Dean at the Free Faculty in Lille in 1876. DOWNLOAD
1875: The Microzymas in their Relations to Fermentations and Physiology.
[Les microzymas dans leurs rapports avec les fermentations et la physiologie]. 34 pp., Speech given at the General Session of the French Association for the Advancement of Sciences in Nantes, August 25, 1875. Imp. Secrétariat de l’Association, Paris.
This publication records a major speech in which Béchamp summarized his fundamental theory. He argued that all fermentation is a nutritive act performed by the microzyma. The address is particularly significant for how it connects his geological findings (such as the ancient microzymas found in chalk) with his physiological studies of living organisms.
1875: On the Search for Glucose and Dextrines in Fermented Liquids.
[De la recherche du glucose et des dextrines dans les liquides fermentés].
The source lists this title without further publication details. However, the subject matter — identifying specific sugars (glucose) and starch byproducts (dextrines) within fermented fluids — aligns with Béchamp’s extensive use of chemical analysis and polarimetry to track fermentation changes, as seen in his earlier work on sugar inversion and the analysis of wines.
1876: The Evolutionary System with Regard to Experimental Science.
[Le système évolutionniste au regard de la science expérimentale]. 29 pp., Revue des Sciences Naturelles, Vol. 5, June 1876. Ed. Masson, Paris.
While the provided source lists this title without a specific abstract, the context of Béchamp’s work in 1876 suggests this was a critical examination of evolutionary theory through the lens of his laboratory findings. During this period, Béchamp frequently addressed the “origin and essence of matter,” arguing against purely materialist explanations for the origin of organized beings.
1876: Scientific Questions. The Origin and Essence of Matter.
[Questions scientifiques. L’origine et l’essence de la matière]. Leçons à la Faculté de Médecine de Montpellier sur l’origine et l’essence de la matière dans l’état présent de la science. Journal l’Univers, 14 et 15 janv. 1876.
This entry refers to lessons given at the Faculty of Medicine in Montpellier regarding the origin and essence of matter according to the state of science at that time. Published in the Catholic journal , these lectures likely addressed the philosophical implications of material science, foreshadowing his major discourse later that year on the relationship between science, religion, and the origin of organized beings.
1876: On the Present State of the Relations of Science and Religion regarding the Origin of Organized Beings.
[Sur l’état présent des rapports de la Science et de la Religion au sujet de l’origine des êtres organisés]. 80 pp., Speech pronounced at the General Assembly of the Catholic Committees of the North and Pas-de-Calais, held in Lille, November 16, 17, 18 and 19, 1876. Lille: L. Quarré, Librairie Grande-Place Imp. Lefebvre Ducrocq, 1877.
Delivered during his tenure as Dean of the Free Faculty in Lille, this 80-page discourse addresses the philosophical intersection of his scientific work. Béchamp argued that true science and religion are not in conflict and that the rigorous study of nature reveals a Creator, taking a firm stance against the rising materialism of the age.
1876: Historical Letters on Chemistry to Professor Courty.
[Lettres historiques sur la chimie à M. le Professeur Courty]. 45 pp., Ed. Masson, Paris, 1876.
This publication consists of a series of letters discussing the history of chemistry and the development of chemical theory. Béchamp utilized this format to critique the scientific views of his contemporaries and to explicitly position his own work within the tradition of Antoine Lavoisier.
1877: On the Search for Fuchsine and Other Analogous Coloring Matters in Wines.
[Sur la recherche de la fuchsine et autre matières colorantes analogues dans les vins]. 8 pp., Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie, 1877.
This paper details methods for detecting artificial coloring agents in wine. The work draws directly on Béchamp’s earlier discovery in 1860 of a method to synthesize fuchsine (a red dye) using arsenic acid. While his initial discovery launched the synthetic dye industry, this later research focused on food safety, specifically identifying toxic residues or adulterants in the wine supply.
1877: On the Present State of the Relations of Science and Religion regarding the Origin of Organized Beings.
[Sur l’état présent des rapports de la Science et de la Religion au sujet de l’origine des êtres organisés]. 80 pp., Speech given at the General Assembly of the Catholic Committees of the North and Pas-de-Calais, held in Lille, November 16, 17, 18 and 19, 1876. Lille: L. Quarré, Librairie Grande-Place Imp. Lefebvre Ducrocq, 1877.
This 80-page discourse was delivered to Catholic committees in Lille during Béchamp’s tenure as Dean of the Free Faculty. In this work, Béchamp argues that true science and religion are not in conflict and that the study of nature reveals a Creator, taking a stand against the rising materialism of the age. DOWNLOAD
1879: Zymases and Microzymas.
[Zymases et microzymas] Note regarding the ‘zymase’ article in the Dictionary of Pure Chemistry by Adolphe Wurtz, member of the Institute. (Ac. Sc.). 23 pp., Imp. Baillière, Paris, 1879.
This publication served as a corrective note regarding the entry for “zymase” in the article by Adolphe Wurtz’s. Béchamp sought to clarify the vital distinction between zymases — a term he had personally coined in 1864 to designate soluble ferments or enzymes — and microzymas, the living, organized granules that secrete these enzymes. In doing so, he reasserted his intellectual property and emphasized the biological hierarchy of fermentation: that the living microzyma is the producer of the chemical zymase.
1881: On Physiological or Internal Fermentations.
[Sur les fermentations physiologiques ou internes]. 72 pp., Discussions et communications à l’Académie de Médecine. Ed. Masson, Paris, 1881.
This work consolidates Béchamp’s arguments regarding fermentations that occur normally within the living body, such as digestion and cellular metabolism. He posits that these are physiological processes driven by microzymas, directly challenging the prevailing scientific view of the time that fermentation was solely a pathological decomposition.
1881: On Viscose or the Gummy Substance of Viscous Fermentation.
[Sur la viscose ou substance gommeuse de la fermentation visqueuse]. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, vol. XCIII, 1881.
In this paper, Béchamp determined the chemical formula for the gum produced during the “ropy” fermentation of wines. This work continued his earlier oenological research, focusing on the specific chemical byproducts generated by fermentative organisms in wine.
1882: The Microzymas of the Stomach Glands and their Digestive Power.
[Les microzymas des glandes stomacales et leur pouvoir digestif]. 31 pp., Imp. E. Martinet, Paris, 1882.
This research attributes gastric digestion to specific microzymas found in the stomach glands. Béchamp used this work to challenge the prevailing view that digestion is a purely chemical process independent of living elements, asserting instead the vitality of the granules found in gastric juice.
1883: The Microzymas in their Relations with Heterogeny, Histogeny, Physiology, and Pathology.
[Les Microzymas dans leurs rapports avec l’hétérogénie, l’histogénie, la physiologie et la pathologie]. Examination of continuous and discontinuous atmospheric panspermia, morbiferous [disease-causing] or non-morbiferous. 992 pp., Imp. Baillière, Paris, 1883.
This massive 992-page volume is considered Béchamp’s Magnum Opus, synthesizing thirty years of research. It details his “Microzymian Theory” — positing that the microzyma is the smallest unit of life, the builder of cells, and the agent of decomposition — and vigorously refutes the “panspermia” (germ theory) of Louis Pasteur. Through this work, Béchamp refuted the idea that airborne germs were the primary cause of disease and fermentation. Instead, he argued that the microzymas (living granules) already existing within organisms were the true agents of physiological change and disease. DOWNLOAD
1883: On the Zymase of Human Milk.
[Sur la zymase du lait de femme]. Bulletin de l’Académie de Médecine, 1883.
In this paper, Béchamp detailed the discovery of a specific enzyme (zymase) in human milk. This finding was crucial for chemically differentiating human milk from cow’s milk, providing evidence for the specific chemical distinctness of biological fluids across different species.
1883: Memoir on Albuminoid Matters.
[Mémoire sur les matières albuminoïdes]. (With a report by Mr. Dumas) 516 pp., Comptes Rendus of the Academy of Sciences, vol. 94, May 8, 1882. National Printing House [Imp. Nationale], Paris, 1884. Collection of Memoirs of Foreign Scholars[Recueil des Mémoires des Savants Etrangers], vol. 28, 1883.
This massive 516-page work demonstrates the specific plurality of albuminoids. It refutes the prevailing idea of a single universal “protoplasm” and establishes that different organs contain chemically distinct proteins, a view later confirmed by modern biochemistry. The work was honored with a report by the distinguished chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas. DOWNLOAD
1884: Research on Molecular Modifications or Isoallotropic States of Amylaceous Matter.
[Recherches sur les modifications moléculaires ou états isoallotropiques de la matière amylacée]. 88 pp., Imp. L. Danel, Lille, 1884.
This work investigates the molecular structure of starch (amylaceous matter). It builds upon Béchamp’s earlier studies (such as his 1855 “New studies on starch”) regarding the physical and chemical properties of starch granules.
1884: On the Inactivity of Cotton Cellulose…
[Sur l’inactivité de la cellulose du coton…]. C.R. Ac. Sc., vol. XCVIII, 1884.
In this study, Béchamp utilized the polarimeter to distinguish between the optical properties of pure cellulose and nitrocellulose. By demonstrating that pure cotton cellulose was optically “inactive” (did not rotate polarized light) compared to its derivatives, he continued his application of physics to solve chemical structural problems, a method he had pioneered in his earlier work on starch and sugars.
1886: Theory of Nutrition and Origin of Ferments regarding the discussion on Ptomaines and their Pathological Role.
[Théorie de la nutrition et origine des ferments à propos de la discussion sur les ptomaïnes et leur rôle pathologique]. 123 pp., Bull. Ac. Sc. Sessions of April 6 and 20, 1886.
In this 123-page work, Béchamp argues that ptomaines (cadaveric poisons/alkaloids formed during decomposition) are not merely accidental chemical byproducts. Instead, he posits they are produced by the morbid function of microzymas, applying his microzymian theory to toxicology and decomposition.
1887: New Research on Normal and Pathological Albumins.
[Nouvelles recherches sur les albumines normales et pathologiques]
This important book was written by Antoine’s son, Joseph Béchamp, though it contains a significant preface by Antoine himself. The work demonstrates the specific plurality of albumins, showing that they differ chemically across different species. This research further supported Antoine’s earlier conclusion that there is no single, universal “protoplasm,” but rather distinct protein compositions specific to different organisms. DOWNLOAD
1888: The Microzyma Theory and the Microbian System. Letters to Dr. Édouard Fournié.
[La Théorie du Microzyma et le système microbien. Lettres à M. le Dr. Édouard Fournié]. Paris: 495 pages. Pub. J.B. Baillière.
Written as a series of letters, this 495-page book serves as a polemic comparison between Béchamp’s physiological theory of the microzyma and Pasteur’s “microbian” system. In it, Béchamp argues that disease arises from internal imbalances — specifically the morbid evolution of the body’s own microzymas — rather than merely from external invaders. DOWNLOAD
1889: Milk, its Histological Constitution and Chemical Constitution.
[Le lait, sa constitution histologique et sa constitution chimique]. 38 pp., Conférence faite à la Sté chimique de Paris. Revue sc. de Paris, 21 fév. 1889.
Presented as a conference paper to the Chemistry Society of Paris, this work examines milk through two lenses: its “histological” (microscopic tissue) structure and its chemical composition. This distinction is central to Béchamp’s broader theory, as he regarded milk not merely as a chemical solution, but as a living fluid containing organized anatomical elements (microzymas) capable of fermentation and change, a concept he would expand upon in his comparative studies of milk in the following years.
1889: Notes on “My Exposition“.
[Notices sur “Mon exposition”]. 24 pp., Universal Exposition of 1889 . Imp. Baillière, Paris, 1889.
This 24-page document details Antoine Béchamp’s presentation at the Universal Exposition of 1889 (historically known as the 1889 Paris World’s Fair). Published by Baillière, who also printed his major theoretical works, this pamphlet likely served as an explanatory guide to the scientific research, apparatus, or biological specimens Béchamp displayed during this major international event.
1890: Comparative Histological Constitution and Chemical Composition of Goat, Cow, Donkey, and Human Milk, and the Consequences that Flow from them for Physiology and Hygiene.
[Constitution histologique et composition chimique comparées de lait de chèvre, de vache, d’ânesse et de femme, et les conséquences qui en découlent pour la physiologie et l’hygiène]. 35 pp., Bull. Ac. Méd. August 5, 1890, p. 100-161.
In this comparative study, Béchamp examines milk not merely as a chemical fluid, but as a living substance containing specific “histological” (anatomical) elements — namely, microzymas. By comparing the milk of different species (goat, cow, donkey, and human), he builds upon his 1883 discovery of a specific zymase in human milk, distinguishing the fluids chemically and biologically to draw specific conclusions regarding infant hygiene and physiology.
1890: Fermentation of Mucic Acid.
[Fermentation de l’acide mucique]. Bull. Soc. Ch., 3rd series, vol. 3, 1890.
In this study, Béchamp demonstrated that specific organic acids, such as mucic acid, could be fermented by microzymas. This work provided further evidence of the metabolic capabilities of these anatomical elements, reinforcing his theory that fermentation is a nutritive process carried out by living organisms rather than a purely chemical reaction.
1890: Action of Hydrocyanic Acid on Fibrin.
[Action de l’acide cyanhydrique sur la fibrine]. Bull. Soc. Ch., vol. IV, 1890.
In this study, Béchamp investigated whether hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) would kill microzymas. He found that while the poison paralyzed their action, it did not necessarily kill them, a finding that supported his characterization of microzymas as resilient anatomical elements distinct from simple chemical compounds.
1891: On the Mechanism of Urea Formation in the Organism.
[Sur le mécanisme de la formation de l’urée dans l’organisme]. Bull. Soc. Ch., 1891.
In this paper, Béchamp refined his long-held theory that urea is produced through the oxidation of albuminoid matters (proteins) in the blood.
Context and Significance.This 1891 publication represents the culmination of a specific line of physiological research Béchamp had pursued for thirty-five years. It serves as a bookend to his early career, revisiting and refining the core thesis he first presented in 1856.
A Career-Long Pursuit.The origin of urea was the subject of Béchamp’s 1856 medical doctorate thesis, Essay on Albuminoid Substances and their Transformation into Urea. In that early work, he challenged the prevailing scientific view that all protein (albumin) was a single, uniform substance. Instead, he demonstrated that specific albuminoids could be oxidized into urea, providing a chemical basis for understanding physiological respiration and nutrition.
Biochemical Continuity.He continued this trajectory in 1860 with Research on the Origin of Urea, which traced the biochemical precursors of the substance.
The 1891 Refinement.By 1891, Béchamp was using this paper to reaffirm that urea formation is not a mysterious vitalistic decay, but a specific chemical oxidation process involving the blood’s proteins. This directly supported his broader biological view that the body functions through precise chemical changes driven by the life of its anatomical elements (microzymas), rather than through the undefined degradation of a generic “protoplasm”.
1892: Comparative Histological Constitution and Chemical Composition of Goat, Cow, Donkey, and Human Milk, and the Consequences that Flow from them for Physiology and Hygiene.
[Constitution histologique et composition chimique comparées de lait de chèvre, de vache, d’ânesse et de femme, et les conséquences qui en découlent pour la physiologie et l’hygiène]. 161 pp., Imp. réunies May et Motteroz, Paris, 1892.
This 161-page volume represents a significant expansion of the 35-page paper Béchamp presented to the Academy of Medicine in 1890. In it, he provides a detailed comparative analysis of the milk of goats, cows, donkeys, and humans, examining not only their chemical makeup but their “histological” constitution — specifically the living microzymas unique to each species. This work serves as a practical application of his microzymian theory to hygiene and physiology, differentiating the nutritional properties of human milk from animal milk based on their distinct enzymatic and living properties.
1893: Microzymas and Microbes.
[Microzymas et Microbes] 346 pp., Ed. Dentu, Paris, 1893.
This 346-page volume serves as a critical collection of Béchamp’s communications to the Academy of Medicine, specifically addressing the topics of milk, septicemia, and albuminuria. The text functions as a vigorous defense of his “microzymian” theory against the rising “microbian” (germ theory) school, while simultaneously asserting his priority in discovering the true nature of ferments. DOWNLOAD
1894: Fermentation of Citric Acid in the Presence of an Excess of Chalk from Sens.
[Fermentation de l’acide citrique en présence d’un excès de craie de Sens]. Bull. Soc. Ch., vol. 11, 1894.
In this study, Béchamp demonstrated that geological microzymas — ancient organisms extracted from the chalk of Sens — retained the vitality to ferment citric acid if they were provided with a nitrogen source. This work served as experimental verification of his theory regarding the “ancient vitality” and immortality of these fundamental anatomical elements.
1896: On the Spontaneous Alterations of Milk.
[Sur les altérations spontanées du lait]. Bull. Soc. Ch., vol. XV, 1896.
Described as a “definitive study,” this work demonstrated that the process of cooking milk chemically alters its albuminoids (proteins) and biologically alters its microzymas. Consequently, these changes fundamentally alter the milk’s susceptibility to fermentation, distinguishing the properties of raw versus cooked milk.
1899: The Blood and its Third Anatomical Element.
Application of the microzymian theory of the living organization to the study of the anatomical and chemical constitution of the blood and to that of the anatomical and physiological causes of the phenomena of its coagulation and of its other spontaneous alterations.
[Le Sang et son 3ème élément anatomique. Application de la théorie microzymienne de l’organisation vivante à l’étude de la constitution anatomique et chimique du sang et à celle des causes anatomiques et physiologiques des phénomènes de sa coagulation et de ses autres altérations spontanées]. 245 pp., Ed. Chamalet, Paris, 1899.
Published when Béchamp was 83 years old, this major work applies his microzymian theory to the anatomical and chemical constitution of blood. He argues that blood is a flowing tissue containing a crucial “third element” –microzymas — responsible for coagulation. This thesis directly challenged the prevailing view that fibrinogen is merely a dissolved protein, asserting instead that coagulation is a cellular process involving these living microzymas.
Currently, The Blood and its Third Anatomical Element stands as the only book authored by Béchamp that is available in the English language. The definitive edition of this significant work is published by A Distant Mirror, providing English-speaking readers with their primary opportunity to study Béchamp’s microzymian theory and his challenges to the prevailing views on coagulation directly from his own final scientific testament,.
1900: Louis Pasteur, his Chemico-Physiological and Medical Plagiarisms.
[Louis Pasteur, ses plagiats chimico-physiologiques et médicaux]. 24 pp., Chez l’Auteur, 15, rue Vauquelin, Paris. Imp. G. Gambart, Paris, 1900.
A bitter self-published polemic, this booklet catalogs specific instances where Béchamp perceived that Louis Pasteur had plagiarized his work. He details these claims particularly regarding the etiology of silkworm disease and the nature of fermentation, asserting that his own discoveries were appropriated without proper credit. DOWNLOAD
1903: The Great Medical Problems
[Les grands problèmes médicaux]. Paris: Ed. Maloine, 1903. (Letters to Dr. Michaut). 78 pp., J. de Méd. de Paris. Ed. Maloine, Paris, 1905.
A collection of letters discussing the implications of his theories for medical practice. It critiques the rising tide of vaccination and serotherapy, advocating instead for hygiene and treating the internal terrain of the patient. DOWNLOAD
1908: Spontaneous Generation, Physiology and Medicine.
[La génération spontanée, la physiologie et la médecine]. Articles published between 1905 and 1908, by Le Médecin. Free Review of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Natural Sciences. Royal Library, Brussels.
Posthumous articles representing his final scientific testament, reiterating his opposition to spontaneous generation and defense of the microzyma theory.