How much did Joseph Lister's

surgical death rate drop to after

the use of antiseptic?

15%

HH

In 1865, Lister was convinced

that microorganisms were in the air,

so he started cleaning wounds with

carbolic acid and dressings with antiseptic liquid. As a result, the

death rate of his surgical patients

fell dramatically from 45% to 15%.

Image in the public domain.