This refers to the work of German physician and bacteriologist Heinrich Hermann Robert Koch (1843-1910), who performed groundbreaking work on the causes of anthrax, tuberculosis, cholera, and other bacterial diseases. Mr. Deasy is trying to show he is up to date on scientific discoveries. Unfortunately, in this case his interpretation of Koch's discoveries is wrong: foot and mouth disease cannot be cured. For more, see http://cas.umt.edu/english/joyce/notes/020055serumandvirus.htm
