What practice did Joseph Lister advocate to reduce transmission of infection?

What practice did Joseph Lister advocate to reduce transmission of infection?

• A. Vaccination
• B. Antibiotics
• C. Asepsis
• D. Phlebotomy

Answer: (C)

Preventing infection by keeping the surgical environment free of microbes is the idea being tested. Joseph Lister championed aseptic technique in surgery, applying antiseptics to wounds, instruments, and surfaces, and using sterilization to minimize contamination. This approach reduced postoperative infections and deaths, showing that preventing germs from entering the wound lowers transmission of infection. The other options don’t fit this focus: vaccination trains the immune system to fight disease, antibiotics weren’t available to prevent infection in the surgical context and target established infections, and phlebotomy (bloodletting) has no role in reducing transmission of infection in surgeries.

Preventing infection by keeping the surgical environment free of microbes is the idea being tested. Joseph Lister championed aseptic technique in surgery, applying antiseptics to wounds, instruments, and surfaces, and using sterilization to minimize contamination. This approach reduced postoperative infections and deaths, showing that preventing germs from entering the wound lowers transmission of infection. The other options don’t fit this focus: vaccination trains the immune system to fight disease, antibiotics weren’t available to prevent infection in the surgical context and target established infections, and phlebotomy (bloodletting) has no role in reducing transmission of infection in surgeries.