Why is the discovery of penicillin considered a major advancement in medicine?

The discovery of penicillin is indeed considered a major advancement in medicine primarily because it significantly improved medical treatment for bacterial infections, which had profound implications during events such as World War Two. Before the introduction of antibiotics like penicillin, there were limited effective treatments for infections, leading to high mortality rates from wounds and post-operative complications. With penicillin's ability to effectively treat these infections, the survival rates of injured soldiers greatly improved, and this ultimately changed the course of medical practices and battlefield care.

The development of antibiotics led to a revolution in medical treatment. However, it did not eliminate the need for surgery or make hospitals unnecessary; instead, it complemented existing medical practices. Vaccinations, while also a critical component of public health, are a different category of medical intervention focusing on disease prevention rather than treatment of existing infections like penicillin. As such, linking penicillin’s discovery solely to the development of vaccinations or claiming it removed the necessity for surgeries or hospitals does not accurately reflect its impact on medicine.