Quotessence
Home / Authors / Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister

Joseph Lister Quotes

Surgeon

Filter quotes by topic

AllSciencePracticeTreatmentIfsPasteurProfessionResearchSurgeryAdaptedAirAnd LoveAntisepticsArtAtmosphereAvoidedBelieverBloodyCallingCapableChristianity

Famous Joseph Lister Quotes

“In the course of an extended investigation into the nature of inflammation, and the healthy and morbid conditions of the blood in relation to it, I arrived several years ago at the conclusion that the essential cause of suppuration in wounds is decomposition brought about by the influence of the atmosphere upon blood or serum retained within them, and, in the case of contused wounds, upon portions of tissue destroyed by the violence of the injury. To prevent the occurrence of suppuration with all its attendant risks was an object manifestly desirable, but till lately apparently unattainable, since it seemed hopeless to attempt to exclude the oxygen which was universally regarded as the agent by which putrefaction was effected. But when it had been shown by the researches of Pasteur that the septic properties of the atmosphere depended not on the oxygen, or any gaseous constituent, but on minute organisms suspended in it, which owed their energy to their vitality, it occurred to me that decomposition in the injured part might be avoided without excluding the air, by applying as a dressing some material capable of destroying the life of the floating particles.”

ScienceNatureResearchMedicineInvestigationSurgeryPasteurLouis PasteurAntiseptics
Book:On the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery
Create image

“If we had nothing but pecuniary rewards and worldly honours to look to, our profession would not be one to be desired. But in its practice you will find it to be attended with peculiar privileges, second to none in intense interest and pure pleasures. It is our proud office to tend the fleshly tabernacle of the immortal spirit, and our path, rightly followed, will be guided by unfettered truth and love unfeigned. In the pursuit of this noble and holy calling I wish you all God-speed.”

IfsLooksScienceSpiritWishInterestPleasurePracticePathProudHolyCallingPureAnd LoveRewardsPrivilegeSpeedNobleProfessionPursuitIntenseImmortalHonourPeculiarWorldlyWish YouTruth And Love
Author:Joseph Lister
Create image

“But when it has been shown by the researches of Pasteur that the septic property of the atmosphere depended not on the oxygen, or any gaseous constituent, but on minute organisms suspended in it, which owed their energy to their vitality, it occurred to me that decomposition in the injured part might be avoided without excluding the air, by applying as a dressing some material capable of destroying the life of the floating particles. Upon this principle I have based a practice.”

Has BeensMightScienceEnergyPrinciplesPracticeAirMinutesMaterialsCapableResearchPropertyAtmosphereTreatmentDestroyingOrganismsFloatingDressingsOxygenVitalityParticlesAvoidedInjuredConstituentsSuspendedDecompositionPasteur
Author:Joseph Lister
Create image