The DOI matches its Crossref record; 9 of the 9 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 11 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.
Biographical Sketch: Baron Joseph Lister, FRCS, 1827-1912
Open accessAbstract
This biographical sketch on Baron Joseph Lister corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery (1867), available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-010-1320-x .
Overview
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This biographical sketch recounts the life of Baron Joseph Lister (1827–1912) and his development of antiseptic surgery using carbolic acid. It provides historical context for Lister’s 1867 classic paper “On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery.”
Key findings
- Lister was born in Upton, Essex, England, on April 5, 1827, and died in Walmer, Kent, in February 1912 at age 84.
- He was appointed Professor at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, in 1860; returned to Edinburgh in 1869; accepted the Chair in Clinical Surgery at King’s College, London, in 1877; and retired in 1893.
- His first attempt with carbolic acid in March 1865 was unsuccessful, but subsequent trials exceeded his expectations; he later used a 1-to-20 watery solution for rendering skin and hands aseptic throughout 40 years of practice.
- The paper credits Lister’s antiseptic principles with making surgery practical, stating that perhaps no other single development was so important for surgery other than anesthesia.
Methods
- Design: biographical and historical sketch of Joseph Lister, corresponding to the reproduced classic text on the antiseptic principle.
- Data: biographical details, quotations from Lister’s writings, and references to secondary sources such as Bonnin and LeFanu and Lister’s own publications.
- Analysis: narrative synthesis of Lister’s life, career, and antiseptic methods; no formal quantitative or systematic analysis is reported.
Limitations
- The paper states no limitations.
- Evident from the text: as a biographical sketch, it is narrative and selective, relying on secondary sources and quotations rather than primary archival research or systematic historical analysis.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
0 of 11 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged
- Findingcitation§ Abstract
Lister's work was not limited to clinical experiments, but was complemented with various sorts of bench experiments.
“His work was not limited to clinical experiments, but rather was complemented with various sorts of bench experiments [6].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [6]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingreasoning§ Abstract
By the late 60s, Lister was performing primary operations on bone using the same principles of dressing, since in effect he was converting a closed fracture to an open one.
“By the late 60s, he was performing primary operations on bone using the same principles of dressing, since in effect he was converting a closed fracture to an open one.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingcitation§ Abstract
Lister began using the purified crystalline form when after some experimentation he found if diluted in about 20 parts water it was 'exceedingly potent as an antiseptic'.
“He also began using the purified crystalline form when after some experimentation he found if diluted in about 20 parts water it was ''exceedingly potent as an antiseptic'' [7].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [7]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingcitation§ Abstract
Lister extended his work to 'purifying' the skin not only of the patient, but the surgeon.
“He extended his work to ''purifying'' the skin not only of the patient, but the surgeon [7].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [7]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- It may state two separate claims as one. 9
- Probably not a substantial claim. 7
It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingnone given§ AbstractLister initially applied his aseptic method to compound fractures (which most likely would have become infected) and to abscesses which were already infected.
“Lister initially applied his aseptic method to compound fractures (which most likely would have become infected) and to abscesses which were already infected.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingcitation§ AbstractIn that article, Lister describes the background of his work as the decomposition of organic substances.
“In that article, he describes the background of his work: the decomposition of organic substances.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [4]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
Findingcitation§ AbstractLister published 'On a New Method of Treating Compound Fracture, Abscess, Etc.' some months earlier than 'On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery'.
“He had in fact published another paper, ''On a New Method of Treating Compound Fracture, Abscess, Etc.With Observations on the Conditions of Suppuration'' some months earlier [4].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [4]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractLister's advance was subject to great criticism, and slow to be introduced in most places.
“Lister's advance, as many others, was subject to great criticism, and slow to be introduced in most places [1].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [1]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractLister's first attempt at using carbolic acid was in March 1865 and was unsuccessful due to improper management, but subsequent trials more than realized his anticipations.
“His first attempt was in March 1865 and, as he noted, it was unsuccessful: ''in consequence, as I now believe, of improper management; but subsequent trials have more than realized my most sanguine anticipations.''”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [4]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractJoseph Lister was born in Upton, Essex, England, on April 5, 1827, into a prosperous Quaker family.
“Joseph Lister was born in Upton, Essex, England, on April 5, 1827, into a prosperous Quaker family [2].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [2]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractBelieving the offending organisms came from the air, Lister extended his techniques to saturate the air with a carbolic acid spray.
“However, believing the offending organisms came from the air, he extended his techniques to saturate the air with a carbolic acid spray [1].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [1]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractMany years later, Lister further justified the use of a paste because he believed the admixture of pus and carbolic acid important, and in a wound with little pus, the paste would serve the purpose of a retained admixture.
“Many years later [6], Lister further justified the use of a paste because he believed the admixture of pus and carbolic acid important, and in a wound with little pus, the paste would serve the purpose of a retained admixture.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [6]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
Findingcitation§ AbstractIn 1883, Queen Victoria elevated Lister to the peerage, and in 1897 he was given the title Lord Lister of Lyme Regis.
“In 1883, Queen Victoria elevated him to the peerage and in 1897 he was given the title Lord Lister of Lyme Regis [3].”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites [3]
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationnone given§ AbstractLister's principles of aseptic surgery made surgery practical, and perhaps no other single development was so important for surgery other than anesthesia.
“The influence and importance of Lister's work cannot be understated: his principles of aseptic surgery made surgery practical, and perhaps no other single development was so important for surgery other than anesthesia.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimIt may state two separate claims as one.
Interpretationreasoning§ AbstractLister recognized the process of decaying garbage was essentially the same as that for decaying (putrefying) tissue, and presumed a chemical that would prevent the odor of decomposition might serve as a powerful antiseptic.
“He recognized the process of decaying garbage was essentially the same as that for decaying (putrefying) tissue, and presumed a chemical that would prevent the odor of decomposition might serve as a powerful antiseptic.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.
Interpretationnone given§ AbstractLister apparently did not let the controversies interfere with his research.
“Lister apparently did not let the controversies interfere with his research.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
Citations
Cites
On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery
Lister, J. J. (1867) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.2.351.246 · Cited by 295
Antiseptic principle in the practice of surgery.
Lister, J. (1967) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5543.9 · Cited by 70
Encyclopedia of world biography
(1999) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.37-1868 · Cited by 69
ON A NEW METHOD OF TREATING COMPOUND FRACTURE, ABSCESS, ETC.
Lister, J. J. (1867) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)51390-8 · Cited by 62
On the Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery
Lister, J. (1987) · Clinical Infectious Diseases · doi:10.1093/clinids/9.2.421 · Cited by 46
An Address on the Antiseptic System of Treatment in Surgery
Lister, J. (1868) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.2.394.53 · Cited by 33
Bonnin, J. G., & LeFanu, W. R. (1967) · Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume · doi:10.1302/0301-620x.49b1.4 · Cited by 20
Remarks ON SOME POINTS IN THE HISTORY OF ANTISEPTIC SURGERY.
Lister, L. (1908) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(01)66363-3 · Cited by 9
Remarks on Some Points in the History of Antiseptic Surgery
Lister (1908) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.1.2478.1557 · Cited by 5
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Antimycobacterials from natural sources: ancient times, antibiotic era and novel scaffolds
Juan, D. G. (2011) · Frontiers in bioscience · doi:10.2741/4024 · Cited by 45
Back to Basics: Surgical Skin Antisepsis
Spruce, L. R. (2015) · AORN Journal · doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2015.11.002 · Cited by 9
The History of Knots and Surgical Suturing
Wu, K., & Tang, P. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-33-6330-4_1 · Cited by 3
Image-Guided Surgery: A Combined Evolution of Surgery and Imaging Methods
Carlos Federico, D. (2019) · Novel Research in Sciences · doi:10.31031/nrs.2019.1.000506
Goldberg, M. H. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-89563-1_4
Metadata
- Authors
- Brand, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Brand, Richard A.
- ORCID
- Brand, Richard A.
- Venue
- Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research
- Published
- 2010-08
- Volume
- 468
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 2009-2011
- ISSN
- 0009-921X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2895836
- OpenAlex
- W2083251708
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 8.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Medical History and Innovations
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › History of Medical Practice
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › History of Science and Medicine
- Keywords
- Joseph Lister, antiseptic surgery, history of surgery, history of orthopedics
- MeSH terms
- Anti-Infective Agents, Local, Humans, General Surgery, Surgical Wound Infection, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century
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