Joseph lister antiseptic surgery

Abstract

Joseph Lister was a prominent British surgeon and medical scientist who established the study of antisepsis. Applying Louis Pasteur’s germ theory of fermentation on wound putrefaction, he promoted the idea of sterilization in surgery using carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic. His method reduced the incidence of wound sepsis and gangrene, which, in turn, reduced the need for amputation. By showing how germs could be prevented from entering the wound, Lister increased the safety of surgical operations and laid the foundations for all subsequent advances in the field.

Keywords: ­wound healing, microorganisms, spontaneous generation, louis pasteur, sterilization, carbolic acid

Introduction and background

The main purpose of this article is to highlight the indisputable contribution of Joseph Lister to modern surgery (Figure 1). Lister was a British surgeon and medical scientist who reformed the art of surgery by introducing the concepts of antiseptics and preventive m

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A revolution in medicine - AQAJoseph Lister and antiseptic surgery

Joseph Lister and antiseptic surgery

Following Louis Pasteur’s discovery of germ theory, Joseph Lister found a way to kill germs in an operating theatre. This reduced the risk of infection.

Before Pasteur’s germ theory and the development of antisepticA substance that kills or stops the growth of germs which cause disease. infection following surgery was a huge risk. Germs could get into wounds during an operation. With no antibioticsSubstances that control the spread of bacteria in the body by killing them or stopping them reproducing. infections were often fatal.

Joseph Lister was a Scottish surgeon. He read about Pasteur’s work on germ theory. He experimented using a chemical, carbolic acid, to soak bandages before applying them to a wound. He found that it prevented infection and helped wounds to heal.

Carbolic acid spray started to be used widely in surgery. It would be sprayed from a pump

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Joseph Lister

British forskare, surgeon and antiseptic pionjär (1827–1912)

"Lord Lister" redirects here. For other people, see Joseph Lister (disambiguation) and Lord Lister (disambiguation).

Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, OM, PC, FRS, FRCSE, FRCPGlas, FRCS (5 April 1827 – 10 February 1912) was a British surgeon, medical scientist, experimental pathologist and pioneer of antiseptic surgery and preventive healthcare. namn Lister revolutionised the craft of surgery in the same manner that John Hunter revolutionised the science of surgery.

From a technical viewpoint, Lister was not an exceptional surgeon, but his research into bacteriology and infection in wounds revolutionised surgery throughout the world.

Lister's contributions were four-fold. Firstly, as a surgeon at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, he introduced carbolic acid (modern-day phenol) as a steriliser for surgical instruments, patients' skins, sutures, surgeons' hands, and