Microbiology – Alcamo Origins of Aseptic Technique The original interest in bacteria was disease.

Ancient Techniques Ancient records show that antiseptics date far back into history: –the ancient Chinese, Persians, and Egyptians had methods for water sanitation and antisepsis for wounds –the ancient Greeks and Romans used silver vessels to store fresh liquids and wine

Later Techniques Pioneers of the American West put silver and copper coins in drinking water to keep it fresh and prevent algae Settlers in the Australian outback put silverware in drinking water for the same purpose

Later Techniques Mercuric chloride was used to prevent sepsis in wounds by Arabian physicians in the Middle Ages Hypochlorite and iodine were introduced as a treatment for open wounds in 1825 and 1839, respectively

Before years ago it was difficult to distinguish between butcher and surgeon Often the butcher was better Surgeons advertised their experience by wearing their surgical apron over their street clothes. Massive infections: post operative and post partum

civil war medicine

Louis Pasteur 1861 Louis Pasteur proved that microorganisms caused spoilage and could be transported via the air He placed broth in flasks with long S- shaped necks, then boiled the broth and observed that no microorganisms grew in the flasks These experiments were the basis for the development of aseptic techniques

Louis Pasteur Pasteur showed that heat could kill microorganisms This process was later named pasteurization We still do this with our dairy products

Ignaz Semmelweis Used knowledge gained from Louis Pasteur He reduced the number of postpartum infections (sepsis) in the wards of Viennas hospitals He did this by urging doctors to wash their hands between patients.

Semmelweis Video

Joseph Lister By the mid-nineteenth century, post- operative sepsis infection accounted for the death of almost half the patients who underwent major surgery Later in the 1860s, an English surgeon named Joseph Lister also heard about Pasteurs work

Joseph Lister He said sepsis was an infectious disease caused by bacteria It was spread due to contaminated hands, instruments, articles He made nurses, medical students, and midwives wash hands in a chlorine solution and insisted on clean sheets and garments for every patient

Instituted Aseptic Techniques in operating rooms: boil instruments, clean hands, no more aprons or street clothes, clean operating room (no more theatre) Lister: 1 st antiseptic carbolic acid aerosol, and on wound, also rubber gloves

Lister Video

Antiseptics Antiseptics are substances that kill and prevent the growth of disease- causing organisms. They are usually used on external wounds. Surgeons also use antiseptics to scrub their hands and prepare the patient's skin before an operation.