Joseph Lister

"In the 1870s, Dr. Joseph Lawrence was among the many researchers experimenting with antiseptics in the wake of findings by such prominent scientists as Louis Pasteur and Dr. Joseph Lister. In 1879, Lawrence hit upon the original formula for Listerine as a safe and effective antiseptic for use in surgical procedures. In 1881, Lawrence transferred ownership of the Listerine formula to Lambert, who established The Lambert Pharmacal Company for the purpose of manufacturing and marketing Listerine exclusively for use by the medical profession." - From the Warner-Lambert (Makers of Listerine) intranet site.

I forget what Lister did though. At least, the above helps identify what area Lister worked in.

Hmm, people are using a surgical antiseptic as a mouthwash?

Dr. Joseph Lister was the first surgeon to use antiseptic – carbolic acid – in surgery and to clean wounds. He even managed to convince other surgeons to wash their hands and sterilize their instruments, an idea almost as outrageous as homeopathy is in our day. But his odd ideas reduced the death rate from major surgery from 40% to less than 5% in his own lifetime. He later replaced carbolic with boracic acid because it was not as unpleasant for the surgeon. He himself had nothing to do with Listerine.

"Not as unpleasant for the surgeon" is putting it mildly. Most people who undergo repeated topical exposure to phenol (carbolic acid) develop a sensitivity to it, so that even a trace exposure causes a vicious dermatitis.

Joseph Lister was born in 1827 was a British surgeon and medical scientist. As a surgeon 45 to 50% of postoperative patients died of infection, he was upset by these number and decided to change them. His is a story of triumph in the face of adversity in order to better the world in which we live. In 1865, Pasteur’s microorganism theory came to light (little creatures in the air cause infection) and he read about carbolic acid sanitizing sewers. He decided to try a carbonic acid spray in the operating room to sanitize wounds. The results were dramatic. He also made the surgeons wear clean clothes and wash their hands before surgery. His ideas were not readily accepted yet the result spoke for themselves. by the time he died in 1912 postoperative mortality dropped to 15%. Now surgery is divided into pre-Lister and post-Lister periods

writen as a history report