Joseph Lister developed antiseptic surgery after reading about Louis Pasteur's germ theory, realizing that germs were infecting surgical patients and killing them. He began soaking bandages and using carbolic acid spray during operations to kill germs, which significantly reduced mortality rates. Later, Robert Koch's discovery that bacteria caused blood infections and emphasis on cleanliness led to the practices of antisepsis being replaced with asepsis, through steam sterilization of equipment and strict hygiene protocols to remove germs without chemicals. William Halsted then introduced the use of rubber gloves, caps, masks and gowns in surgery.

1. The Germ Theory and Surgery

4. I realised that the smell of the operating theatre and the sewerage works were very similar and that if Carbolic acid was used in the sewerage works it could be useful in fighting germs in the operating theatre

5. I started with soaking bandages in the acid but then made a spray that would drench the patient and surgeons in a fine spray of the acid. The results speak for themselves

6. Results Lister’s record on amputations 15% 40 1867 to 1870 (antiseptics used) 46% 35 1864 to 1866 (No antiseptics) % Died No. of Patients Date