When, as the result of my first communications on the fermentations in 1857-1858, it appeared that the ferments, properly so-called, are living beings, that the germs of microscopic organisms abound in the surface of all objects, in the air and in water; that the theory of spontaneous generation is chimerical; that wines, beer, vinegar, the blood, urine and all the fluids of the body undergo none of their usual changes in pure air, both Medicine and Surgery received fresh stimulation. {e.a.}

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1878pasteur-germ.html

But since the passage Bill is reading is datelined January 12th, 1836, perhaps it’s not so outrageous Darwin might not have had a clue on this, no, Bill?