Joseph Lister

The founder of ANTISEPTIC medicine

Surgical study

At the age of 19, Lister watched the first public surgical procedure using anaesthetic (medicine to stop someone feeling pain). Inspired by this, he studied MEDICINE, graduating in 1852. Later that year, he joined the Royal College of Surgeons and became a surgeon at the University College Hospital in London. The British surgeon who led the clean-up operation in 19th-century healthcare, setting new standards for hospital hygiene.

First public demonstration of the use of an anaesthetic in surgery Did you know? Joseph Lister’s father pioneered improved lenses for the compound microscope.

A “donkey engine”, was used to spray phenol around the operating theatre.

Lister reveals germs on unwashed surgical instruments.

Pasteur’s principles

Influenced by the work of French chemist Louis Pasteur, Lister EXPERIMENTED to confirm that infections are caused by germs and not bad air as was believed at the time. After noticing that almost half of amputation patients died from blood poisoning caused by germs, Lister was determined to find a solution.

Who came before...

John hunter was Britain’s leading lecturer on surgery during the 18th century. At a time when most surgeons were not trained doctors, he advocated a scientific approach to surgical procedures. In the 19th century, Hungarian doctor

Ignaz SemmelweIS was the first to observe a connection between hospital cleanliness and infection levels. He advised doctors to wash their hands thoroughly before operations to reduce infections.

Lister began using a chemical called PHENOL, also known as carbolic acid, to soak medical dressings. As a result, the death rate due to infection on Lister’s ward plummeted and phenol became the world’s first antiseptic (a chemical solution that kills germs). He also introduced guidelines for hospital hygiene, such as sterilizing medical instruments, and making sure everyone washed their hands frequently.

The use of antiseptics led to a rise in the number and complexity of surgeries.

By the way… Listerine mouthwash was named after me in 1879. It was originally used as an antiseptic before being sold as a cure for bad breath. Awards and accolades Lister was WELL REWARDED for his work. He became President of the Clinical Society of London and the Royal Society, as well as recipient of the Royal Medal, Albert Medal, and Copley Medal. Antiseptics have advanced a lot since Lister’s death in 1912, and germ prevention continues to make operations safer and more successful.

How he changed the world

Who came after...

Known as the Lady with the Lamp,

British nurse Florence nightingale observed soldiers dying of infection because of unhygienic conditions in battlefield hospitals. She set about cleaning the rat-infested wards and improving efficiency in medical care. During the 1890s, new measures were taken to improve hospital hygiene. American surgeon

After Joseph Lister published his incredible findings, many countries adopted his healthcare techniques. As a result, infection rates dropped dramatically around the world.

William SteWart halSted

introduced the wearing of rubber gloves during operations.