“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.”
Quote by Joseph Lister
Work
On the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery
Browse quotes and source details for this work. more
Author
Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister, born on April 5, 1827, and died on February 10, 1912, was a renowned British surgeon. He is considered the 'father of modern surgery' for his pioneering work in the application of bacteriology in medicine, particularly in the field of surgery, significantly reducing surgical infection rates. more
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