Final answer:
Joseph Lister is called the father of antiseptic surgery because of his significant contributions to reducing surgical infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joseph Lister is called the father of antiseptic surgery because of his significant contributions to reducing surgical infections. In the 1800s, surgical patients often died from infections due to poor hygiene practices. Lister introduced the use of carbolic acid as a disinfectant during surgery, demanding that surgeons sterilize their tools and clean their hands and the surgical site. His efforts greatly reduced infection rates and established antiseptic techniques as a standard in medical practice.