Antiseptic and Aseptic Techniques: In the 1860s, Joseph Lister pioneered antiseptic surgery by applying Louis Pasteur’s germ theory, using carbolic acid to sterilize instruments and clean wounds. This slashed postoperative infection and mortality rates, which had exceeded 50% in some hospitals. His methods faced skepticism but gradually gained acceptance, evolving into modern aseptic protocols: sterile gloves, gowns, masks, and operating theaters. These practices prevent pathogen introduction during procedures, making complex surgeries safe. Hand hygiene, instrument autoclaving, and environmental controls stem from this legacy. Antisepsis also influenced obstetrics, reducing childbed fever. Today, infection prevention remains critical amid rising antibiotic resistance. Lister’s insight—that invisible germs cause decay—transformed hospitals from death traps into centers of healing and established hygiene as a non-negotiable pillar of medical care worldwide.
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