animalculism

archaic uncountable

(biology, archaic) A theory seeking to explain certain physiological and pathological phenomena in terms of animalcules.

Japanese Meaning

微小な動物体（動物のような微小な生命体）によって生理学的や病理学的現象を説明しようとする説

In the 18th century, some physicians revived animalculism to explain sudden fevers and skin eruptions.

18世紀には、突発的な熱や皮膚の発疹を引き起こすとする微小生物説を復活させた医師たちがいた。

Sense（1）

(biology, archaic) A theory seeking to explain certain physiological and pathological phenomena in terms of animalcules.

Sense（2）

(biology, archaic) The theory that the spermatozoon and not the ovum contains the whole of the embryo; spermatism.