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Discovery and development, 1860 to 75: Pasteur and Lister
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In the 1860s, scientists finally showed that germs cause disease. Surgeons began to use this knowledge to stop infection.
Pasteur's germ theory
Louis Pasteur published his germ theory in 1861: microbes in the air cause decay (and, he argued, disease).
This challenged the old idea of spontaneous generation and miasma (bad air).
This challenged the old idea of spontaneous generation and miasma (bad air).
Lister and antiseptics
Joseph Lister read Pasteur's work and used carbolic acid to kill germs on wounds, instruments and dressings (from 1865).
Death rates after his operations fell sharply.
Some surgeons resisted: carbolic was unpleasant and they did not accept germ theory.
Death rates after his operations fell sharply.
Some surgeons resisted: carbolic was unpleasant and they did not accept germ theory.
Public health and women
The Public Health Act (1875) was compulsory: councils had to provide clean water, sewers and medical officers of health.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson qualified as a doctor in Britain in 1865 despite huge opposition, opening the way for women in medicine.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson qualified as a doctor in Britain in 1865 despite huge opposition, opening the way for women in medicine.
How did Pasteur's work help Lister?
- Pasteur showed microbes cause decay.
- Lister reasoned that microbes caused infection in wounds.
- So he used carbolic acid to kill them, cutting deaths.
Answer: Pasteur's germ theory gave Lister the idea of killing germs to prevent infection.
Pasteur's germ theory (1861) blamed microbes. Lister used carbolic acid antiseptics (from 1865), cutting surgical deaths. The compulsory 1875 Public Health Act made councils provide clean water and sewers. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson qualified as a doctor (1865).
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