OUTSTANDING BIOLOGICAL ADVANCES 29 



suppuration and other diseased conditions. Still 

 other kinds may produce diseases when breathed into 

 the lungs, or, introduced into the body through milk, 

 water and various kinds of food. These discoveries 

 are of the utmost importance. 



Those micro-organisms that cause canned fruits 

 and tinned meats to decompose are killed by heating 

 and when, thereafter, the cans are securely sealed the 

 contents are preserved in a wholesome condition. 

 Even more important than this was the recognition 

 (1865-1867) of the Edinburgh surgeon, Lister 

 (Fig. 7) that to keep the floating germs from surgical 

 wounds would prevent gangrene and pus formation. 

 Against great ridicule and opposition, Lister made his 

 experiments, using carbolic acid dressings and great 

 cleanliness and, about 1867, established the method 

 of antiseptic surgery. This followed as a conse- 

 quence of Pasteur's studies but the credit for this 

 application belongs to Lister (1827-1912). At first 

 it made slow progress against the contemptuous 

 criticisms of medical men, but the successes that 

 accompanied its practice were so overwhelming 

 that this great advance in surgery became estab- 

 lished. 



Pasteur was soon led to experiment with diseases of 



