Medicine Through TimeDeep Dive
Antiseptics — Conquering Infection (Lister)
Part of The Surgery Revolution — GCSE History
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 4 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 5 of 12
Practice
8 questions
Recall
4 flashcards
🧠 Antiseptics — Conquering Infection (Lister)
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.