Final answer:
Joseph Lister revolutionized surgery by introducing antiseptic procedures that drastically reduced surgical infections, thereby transforming and greatly improving the safety of surgical practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joseph Lister's impact on surgery was profound and transformational. In the mid-1800s, he introduced revolutionary hygiene practices in the medical field, which dramatically lowered post-surgical infection rates. By applying a 5% carbolic acid solution to clean surgical tools and using it as an antiseptic spray during operations, he significantly reduced the risk of postsurgical infections. Lister's insistence on handwashing and cleanliness during surgeries laid the foundation for modern aseptic techniques, establishing new standards for surgical procedures and making them safer for patients.
Lister's work contributed substantially to the acceptance of the germ theory of disease, debunking the previously widespread miasma theory. His implementation of disinfection protocols based on the groundbreaking research of scientists like Semmelweis and Pasteur helped decrease the death rate of surgical patients from infections. Joseph Lister's legacy continues to influence medical practices to this day, as the principles he established are integral to the successful outcomes of surgical interventions.