His popular reputation came from his strong attacks on popular misconceptions , such as that filth caused disease ; that diseases were indiscriminately transmitted through the air , often accompanied by bad smells ; .
That disinfection was a cure - all for many sanitary evils .
His popular reputation came from his strong attacks on popular misconceptions , such as that filth caused disease ; that diseases were indiscriminately transmitted through the air , often accompanied by bad smells ; and that disinfection was a cure - all for many sanitary evils .