listerism

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An antiseptic method of operating introduced by Sir Joseph Lister, an English surgeon (born 1827). It was designed to effect the total exclusion of living germs from surgical wounds. A spray of carbolic solution was brought to play over the part under operation, that the germicidal effect might result not only on the surface of the tissues, but also in the surrounding air. After the operation the part was closely enveloped in dressings impregnated with carbolic acid or other germicide, which were disturbed as little as possible during recovery. Some of the features of the early forms of Lister's method have fallen into disuse, but the recognition of the importance of the exclusion of living germs from surgical wounds, of the danger of the introduction of germs from air, instruments, appliances of all kinds, and the hands of those operating, and of the value in this regard not only of cleanliness but of germicidal drugs, seems to be a permanent acquisition of the surgical art.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The systematic use of antiseptics in the performance of operations and the treatment of wounds; -- so called from Joseph Lister, an English surgeon.