Evaluate significance of Listers antiseptic

Question 4

‘Joseph Lister’s discovery of antiseptics was the most important development in medicine between 1850 and 1950.’

How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer, you must refer to:

• Joseph Lister and antiseptics
• Other developments in medicine during this period

You may use the following information:

• Before Lister, infection rates after surgery were very high, often leading to death.
• Lister used carbolic acid to stop germs causing infection.
• Later, antibiotics like penicillin became widely available.
• Anaesthetics allowed surgeons to operate for longer periods without pain.

(6 marks)