Antiseptics - Advantages and disadvantages table in GCSE History

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Created by: Megan
Created on: 14-06-13 15:18

Advantages and disadvantages of antiseptics

Advantages

Antiseptics allowed surgeons to sterilise equipment and operating rooms for the first time
They were important in cleaning wounds of patients and operating theatre, hence saved lives
Amputation death rate fell from 46%to 15% from 1867 to 1870 with Lister's carbolic acid in use
Allowed progression from antiseptic to aseptic surgery
Koch's steam steriliser and Hallstead's rubber gloves both helped the problem of infection reduce.

Disadvantages

Carbolic acid made hands of surgeons and nurses cracked or sore
New equipment was expensive and heavy initially
Some doctors opposed Lister's theories because they did not accept invisible microbes and germs caused infection
Carbolic solutions slowed operations, so the problem of blood loss worsened

Evaluation

Problems of poor hygiene and infection still exist today, for instance the hospital super-bug MRSA. However, it is clear that antiseptics have improved the success and safety of surgery to save the lives of patients.

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