Lister, Sir Joseph (1827-1912), founded antiseptic surgery. Before his time, the most trivial operation was likely to be followed by infection, and death occurred in up to 50 percent of all surgical cases.
After Louis Pasteur discovered that bacteria caused fermentation, Lister in 1865 realized that the formation of pus was also due to germs. At first, he used carbolic acid sprays to kill germs in the air, but later he realized that germs were also carried by the surgeon’s hands and instruments. He insisted on the use of antiseptics on hands, instruments, and dressings, as well as on the patient. He also introduced catgut ligatures in 1880.
Lister’s application of antiseptics so revolutionized surgery that its whole history can be divided into two periods, pre-Listerian and post-Listerian. The use of Lister’s techniques virtually eliminated post-surgical infections.
Lister was born at Upton, Essex, and studied medicine at University College, London. He served as professor of surgery at Glasgow University, Edinburgh University, and at King’s College, London. He was also surgeon to Queen Victoria. He was made Baron Lister of Lyme Regis in 1897, thus becoming the first medical man to be elevated to the British peerage.
