Library News
From the Archive: The Lister Stone
Our Archive contains many things, including some medical tools of interest for their design, function, or history. Some tools haven’t changed for decades or even hundreds of years, and others may seem primitive or misguided in their design. We hope these glimpses into medical history will remind you that medicine is a practice, and always evolving.
ROYAL INFIRMARY OF GLASGOW
The following appeared in the Danville newspaper of December 3, 1926:
“Relic From Building In Which Modern Surgery Was Born Will Be Incorporated In New Surgical Pavilion
A stone from the historic Lister Ward of the Royal Infirmary of Glasgow will be implanted in the Rotunda of the new operating pavilion now under construction at the Geisinger Hospital, Dr. H.L. Foss, superintendent and surgeon-in-chief said last night.
Dr. Foss received word from Prof. John H. Teacher, professor of pathology of the Royal Infirmary that the stone had been sent to the Geisinger Hospital. Dr. Foss became well-acquainted with the famous pathologist on his trip abroad with the American College of Surgeons a little over a year ago.
What makes the stone of historic value is the fact that in the Lister Ward, Sir Joseph Lister, afterwards Lord Lister, conducted his pioneer work in aseptic surgery which revolutionized modern surgical procedure…”
Lister tested carbolic acid (phenol) as an antiseptic by spraying it on surgical instruments, dressings, and wounds. There was a reduction in sepsis and gangrene; wounds no longer became septic. He required surgeons to wear gloves and wash their hands with carbolic acid diluted in water prior to and following surgery. Gradually, germ theory became widely accepted and antiseptic practices produced more sterile surgery.
The stone from the Lister Ward was implanted in the rotunda of the Surgical Pavilion of the George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital that was dedicated on January 12, 1928. The Lister Ward where Joseph Lister introduced his pioneer work was demolished in 1924.