British surgeon and antiseptic pioneer (1827–1912) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister, OM PC PRS FRS (5 April 1827 – 10 February 1912) was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery.[1][2]
The Lord Lister | |
---|---|
President of the Royal Society | |
In office 1895–1900 | |
Preceded by | The Lord Kelvin |
Succeeded by | Sir William Huggins |
Personal details | |
Born | Upton House, West Ham, England | 5 April 1827
Died | 10 February 1912 84) Walmer, Kent, England | (aged
Nationality | British |
Spouse(s) | Agnes Lister (nee Syme) |
Signature | |
Alma mater | University College London |
Known for | Surgical sterile techniques |
Awards | Royal Medal (1880) Albert Medal (1894) Copley Medal (1902) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Medicine |
Institutions | King's College London University of Glasgow University of Edinburgh University College London |
He promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Lister successfully introduced carbolic acid (phenol) to sterilise surgical instruments and to clean wounds.
Applying Louis Pasteur's advances in microbiology, Lister championed the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic, so that it became the first widely used antiseptic in surgery.
He knew it was used to ease the stench from fields irrigated with sewage waste. He thought it was safe because fields treated with carbolic acid had no ill-effects on the livestock that grazed on them.
By 1890, Lister stopped using carbolic acid, due to the dangerous side effects for both patient and surgeon. Rather, he began to use a mask and surgical gloves to prevent infection.
Lister's work led to a reduction in post-operative infections (infections after an operation). This made surgery safer for patients. So he became known as the "father of modern surgery".[3]
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.