Edexcel IGCSE: Changes in Medicine c1845-c1945 Practice Test

Lister faced significant challenges in promoting his antiseptic methods, particularly resistance from surgeons who were accustomed to established practices. One of the main issues was that adopting antiseptic techniques often resulted in longer operation times. Surgeons were wary of these methods because they believed that efficiency and speed were critical to successful surgical outcomes. The idea of slowing down the procedure to ensure stricter hygiene was seen as impractical, especially in an era where surgical mortality rates were already a significant concern.

This preference for faster operations was partly influenced by the prevailing beliefs about the causes of infection and the urgency of treatment. Lister's insistence on using antiseptics required a fundamental shift in surgical techniques and mindsets, which meant not only adopting new materials but also slowing down their work processes. Overcoming these ingrained practices was a substantial hurdle for Lister as he sought to demonstrate the benefits of antiseptic methods, which ultimately revolutionized surgery and improved patient outcomes.