Surgery - Antiseptics Flashcards
IGCSE History 1848 - 1948 (12 cards)
What was the state of surgery regarding infection prevention before Germ Theory in the 1860s?
Surgeons did nothing to prevent infection, did not wash hands, and wore clothes covered in blood and pus.
This period is referred to as the Black Period of surgery.
Who made the link between hygiene and disease in 1847?
Semmelweiss.
He noticed doctors moved from autopsies to delivering babies without washing hands.
What proposal did Semmelweiss make to improve hygiene?
Surgeons should wash their hands.
He was regarded as a fanatic for his ideas.
Who is known as the father of antiseptic surgery?
Joseph Lister.
He researched gangrene and infection and built on the work of Louis Pasteur.
What antiseptic did Lister apply on surgical wounds?
Carbolic acid compounds.
He also soaked dressings in antiseptic liquid.
What change did Lister notice in mortality rates after applying his antiseptic techniques?
Mortality rates dropped from 45.7% (1864-66) to 15% (1867-70).
This significant reduction highlighted the effectiveness of his methods.
What innovation did Lister develop for operating theatres?
A carbolic spray.
This was part of his antiseptic techniques.
What did Lister’s antiseptic methods evolve into by the 1890s?
Aseptic surgery.
This meant removing all germs from the operating theatre.
What was a limitation of the carbolic spray?
It damaged tissue and caused problems if breathed in.
Additionally, it cracked surgeons’ skin.
How did the use of antiseptic methods affect surgery costs?
It made surgery more expensive due to extra work.
This was a barrier to widespread adoption of Lister’s techniques.
What argument was made against antiseptics regarding the body’s defense mechanisms?
They were said to prevent the body’s own defense mechanisms from operating effectively.
This was part of the opposition against Lister’s methods.
What were some criticisms of Lister’s use of carbolic acid
He was perceived as a cold and arrogant person.
He was accused of contantly changing his ideas
This led to opposition against his methods.
