Question

Why was the work of Joseph Lister important?

A. Surgery as we know it today is safer because reducing the presence of microorganisms in surgical settings leads to less infections
B. Surgery as we know it today is safer because of his work related to statistical analysis of mortality
C. Surgery as we know it today is safer because now only physicians bearing the MD credential perform surgeries
D. Joseph Lister is not credited with making surgery safer

Answer 1

Joseph Lister's antiseptic practices using carbolic acid significantly reduced postsurgical infections, endorsing germ theory and advancing surgical safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The work of Joseph Lister was important because it paved the way for safer surgical practices by introducing antiseptic procedures. His utilization of carbolic acid (phenol) as a disinfectant greatly reduced the incidence of postsurgical infections. This innovation was a significant advancement in the acceptance of the germ theory of disease and transformed how surgeries were conducted, establishing new standards for hygiene in medical practices during the late 19th century.