1867: Joseph Lister used carbolic acid spray during surgery. Death rate in his ward dropped from 46% to 15%.
Why it worked: Lister read Pasteur's germ theory and realised germs caused infection. Kill the germs = prevent infection.
Opposition: Carbolic acid cracked surgeons' hands, slowed operations, many didn't believe in "invisible germs."
Aseptic surgery (1890s): Instead of killing germs (antiseptic), prevent them entering — sterilised instruments, rubber gloves, masks, gowns.
This deep dive covers Antiseptics — Conquering Infection (Lister) within The Surgery Revolution for GCSE History. Revise The Surgery Revolution in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 16 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for The Surgery Revolution
Who introduced chloroform as an anaesthetic in 1847?
What antiseptic did Joseph Lister use in surgery from 1867?
Quick recall flashcards
What did Lister use as an antiseptic?
Carbolic acid spray (from 1867)
When did Simpson introduce chloroform?
1847