About this book
The Bacillus of Long Life by Loudon Douglas presents a compelling exploration of how soured and fermented milks have been used as dietary staples to support health and longevity across cultures. Blending practical instruction with historical investigation, Douglas offers a manual for the preparation and souring of milk alongside an account of fermented milks—from ancient traditions to early 20th-century bacteriology—and their reputed effects on human life span.
You’ll find clear descriptions of traditional practices (yogurt, kefir and regional soured milk techniques), practical guidance for home preparation, and accessible explanations of the underlying bacteriological and chemical principles that make fermentation work. The book situates nutritional claims within historical case studies and scientific observations of its time, illuminating how communities such as Balkan milk-users inspired modern interest in probiotics and dietary fermentations.
A nonfiction health and nutrition work with scholarly yet approachable tone, this audiobook is ideal for food historians, home fermenters, cooks, nutrition enthusiasts, and listeners curious about the roots of probiotic science. Listen for a unique mix of practical recipes, scientific curiosity, and cultural history that traces the enduring human relationship with fermented milk.