What was his contribution to Microbiology?
He discovered a germ-killing substance, which helped people from getting infected while in operation. He researched a lot on germs from the microbiologist Louis Pastuer and he concluded that germs were the reason people got infected and died in operation. After discovering this Lister decided to try a chemical to stop germs from entering the human body. He also was the first to discover infection and how to prevent it.
Life:
Joseph Lister was born in Upton, Essex, England, on April 5 1827. He was the fourth child of Joseph Jackson Lister and Isabella Harris Lister's of seven children.
During his childhood Lister studied fish and small animals. He had a desire to become a surgeon. His father made sure that Lister finished his formal education. After finishing his formal studies, Lister attended schools in Hitchin and Tottenham, England, studying mathematics, science and languages. After he finished his scholarship, he went to study medicine at the University College in London.
After graduating, Lister left University and started a surgical career in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In 1860 he became professor of surgery at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland.
When anesthesia was introduced operations became more common. But after every operation many patients died from infection.
Lister wondered why their patients died and did some research on germs and bacteria. He read some info on microorganisms from a French Scientist Louis Pasteur (1822-1895). He came to a conclusion that germs and bacteria is the reason that their patients get infected. Lister then went to work to try to create a chemical to stop germs from infecting the patient.
Later on a little boy had an accident and cut his leg. Lister asked a visitor for carbolic acid. After receiving the acid, he mixed it with water and sterilised his equipment that came in contact with the patient and washed his hands.
Lister then went to work, he cleaned the wound, set the broken bone back and ten covered the wound with bandage dipped with the acid and water.
Lister thought that the bandage would kill the germs and stop them from entering the wound.
After four days, the boy had no sign of fever or blood poisoning and after six weeks the boy was able to walk again. After this Lister went to discover if there was antiseptic method that would be less irritating to the skin. After many experiments, he found out that boracic acid was a better method.
After this many surgeons began to use this method when operating and learned that germs in the air weren’t that dangerous but what were dangerous were germs that came the hands and clothes of the surgeons going in contact with the patient.
Joseph Lister died in Walmer, England, February 10, 1912.
During his childhood Lister studied fish and small animals. He had a desire to become a surgeon. His father made sure that Lister finished his formal education. After finishing his formal studies, Lister attended schools in Hitchin and Tottenham, England, studying mathematics, science and languages. After he finished his scholarship, he went to study medicine at the University College in London.
After graduating, Lister left University and started a surgical career in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In 1860 he became professor of surgery at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Scotland.
When anesthesia was introduced operations became more common. But after every operation many patients died from infection.
Lister wondered why their patients died and did some research on germs and bacteria. He read some info on microorganisms from a French Scientist Louis Pasteur (1822-1895). He came to a conclusion that germs and bacteria is the reason that their patients get infected. Lister then went to work to try to create a chemical to stop germs from infecting the patient.
Later on a little boy had an accident and cut his leg. Lister asked a visitor for carbolic acid. After receiving the acid, he mixed it with water and sterilised his equipment that came in contact with the patient and washed his hands.
Lister then went to work, he cleaned the wound, set the broken bone back and ten covered the wound with bandage dipped with the acid and water.
Lister thought that the bandage would kill the germs and stop them from entering the wound.
After four days, the boy had no sign of fever or blood poisoning and after six weeks the boy was able to walk again. After this Lister went to discover if there was antiseptic method that would be less irritating to the skin. After many experiments, he found out that boracic acid was a better method.
After this many surgeons began to use this method when operating and learned that germs in the air weren’t that dangerous but what were dangerous were germs that came the hands and clothes of the surgeons going in contact with the patient.
Joseph Lister died in Walmer, England, February 10, 1912.
Facts:
- Lister was the first of antiseptic surgery who developed the idea of sterile surgery.
- He was the first to use carbolic acid to sterilise surgical equipment.
- Listerine mouthwash was named after him for his work in antiseptic
- Lister also made other contributions to medicine.
- He was the second man in England to operate on a brain tumor.
- Lister also worked out a method of repairing kneecaps with metal wire
Meanings:
- microorganisms - any organism too small to be viewed by the naked eye, as bacteria, protozoa, some fungi and algae.
- antiseptic - free from or cleaned of germs and other microorganisms.
- anesthesia - Pathology. General loss of the senses of feeling, as pain, heat, cold, touch, and other less common varieties of sensation.
- carbolic acid - Also called carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, oxybenzene, phenylic acid. A white, crystalline, water-soluble, poisonous mass, C 6 H 5 OH, obtained from coal tar, or a hydroxyl derivative of benzene: used chiefly as a disinfectant, as an antiseptic, and in organic synthesis.
- boracic acid - any of various acids containing boron and oxygen
- boron - a non-metallic element occurring naturally only in combination, as in borax or boric acid, and obtained in either an amorphous or a crystalline form when reduced from its compounds.
- tumor - a swollen part; swelling; protuberance.
- kneecaps - a protective covering, usually knitted, for the knee.
References:
Information -
http://pawprints.kashalinka.com/anecdotes/lister_bio.shtml
http://www.biography.com/people/joseph-lister-37032
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Lister-Joseph.html
Facts -
http://primaryfacts.com/161/joseph-lister-facts/
http://5factsabout.com/articles/5-facts-about-Joseph-Lister/
Meanings -
dictionary.reference.com
Pictures -
http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst6439.html
http://scottishgames.net/2010/12/10/edinburgh-scotlands-one-and-only-creative-hotspot/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:University_College_London_-quadrant-11Sept2006_(1).jpg
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Lister-Joseph.html#b
http://www.healthandphysicaleducationteacher.com/physical-health/microorganisms-and-parasites.html/attachment/microorganisms-and-parasites-2
http://ibm.newconceptinfosys.com/imagegalerysecond.php?imageID=2#4
http://newspaper.li/bacteria/
http://pawprints.kashalinka.com/anecdotes/lister_bio.shtml
http://www.biography.com/people/joseph-lister-37032
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Lister-Joseph.html
Facts -
http://primaryfacts.com/161/joseph-lister-facts/
http://5factsabout.com/articles/5-facts-about-Joseph-Lister/
Meanings -
dictionary.reference.com
Pictures -
http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst6439.html
http://scottishgames.net/2010/12/10/edinburgh-scotlands-one-and-only-creative-hotspot/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:University_College_London_-quadrant-11Sept2006_(1).jpg
http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ki-Lo/Lister-Joseph.html#b
http://www.healthandphysicaleducationteacher.com/physical-health/microorganisms-and-parasites.html/attachment/microorganisms-and-parasites-2
http://ibm.newconceptinfosys.com/imagegalerysecond.php?imageID=2#4
http://newspaper.li/bacteria/