Joseph Lister
1827–1912 · British · Victorian Era
Known for: Father of antiseptic surgery who dramatically reduced surgical mortality with carbolic acid
Joseph Lister saved millions of lives by spraying carbolic acid on everything. Inspired by Pasteur's germ theory, he began sterilizing instruments and cleaning wounds, reducing surgical mortality from 50% to 15%. Before Lister, surgery was basically a death sentence performed without washing hands.
He faced enormous resistance from doctors who considered handwashing an insult to their gentlemanly status. It took decades for the medical establishment to accept his methods. Listerine mouthwash was named after him.
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