Which chemical did Lister use to create antiseptic conditions?

Study for the WJEC GCSE History of Medicine Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question providing hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam effectively!

Multiple Choice

Which chemical did Lister use to create antiseptic conditions?

Explanation:
The idea being tested is how Lister created an antiseptic environment in surgery by using a chemical to kill bacteria and prevent infection. The best choice is carbolic acid, known as phenol. Lister used it as a surgical antiseptic to treat wounds, soak instruments and dressings, and spray the operating room to reduce microbial contamination. This approach lowered infection and death rates after surgery and laid the foundation for antiseptic practice. Chlorine gas and formaldehyde were not the agents Lister popularized for his antiseptic method, and while alcohol can act as an antiseptic, Lister’s landmark breakthrough was specifically the use of carbolic acid to create a germ-killing environment in the surgical setting.

The idea being tested is how Lister created an antiseptic environment in surgery by using a chemical to kill bacteria and prevent infection. The best choice is carbolic acid, known as phenol. Lister used it as a surgical antiseptic to treat wounds, soak instruments and dressings, and spray the operating room to reduce microbial contamination. This approach lowered infection and death rates after surgery and laid the foundation for antiseptic practice.

Chlorine gas and formaldehyde were not the agents Lister popularized for his antiseptic method, and while alcohol can act as an antiseptic, Lister’s landmark breakthrough was specifically the use of carbolic acid to create a germ-killing environment in the surgical setting.

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