Joseph Lister contribution to microbiology

Contributions: Joseph Lister was a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, who promoted the idea of sterile surgery. Listerine mouth wash is named after him for his work in antisepsis. Lister successfully introduced carbolic acid (now known as phenol) in 1865, to sterilize surgical instruments and to clean wounds, which led to a reduction in post-operative infections and made surgery safer for patients. He also developed a method of repairing kneecaps with metal wire. Discovery of Antiseptic: Lister became aware of a paper published by Louis Pasteur, showing that rotting and fermentation could occur under anaerobic conditions if micro-organisms were present and thought that perhaps microorganisms were causing the rotting wounds. Pasteur suggested three methods to eliminate the micro-organisms responsible for gangrene: (i)filtration, (ii)exposure to heat, or (iii)exposure to chemical solutions. The first two methods were inappropriate for use in human wounds, so Lister experimented with the third, i.e., chemical solution. Antiseptic(Carbolic acid): Carbolic acid was used to treat sewage and also used to fight parasites and reduce the odors during cholera and cattle plague. Lister tried a weaker version of it on wounds. Therefore, Lister tested the results of spraying instruments, the surgical incisions, and dressings with a solution of carbolic acid. It reduced the incidence of gangrene(rotting or death of tissue). This led to the rise of sterile surgery. First Antiseptic treatment: In August 1865, Lister operated on an 11 year old boy who had suffered a compound fracture. The wound was cleaned with carbolic acid, and covered with a dressing soaked in acid. At regular intervals the wound was cleaned and dressed and within 6 weeks the wound was completely healed. The only side effect was burnt skin from using the acid solution. carbolic acid spray: Lister continued to refine and improve his methods and in 1867 he developed a carbolic acid spray to be used in the operating theatre. However, the use of carbolic spray irritated eyes and respiratory tracts, and the soaked bandages were suspected of damaging tissue and so the search continued for alternatives to the use of carbolic acid.

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