396 Sir Rickinan John Godlee on Back to Lister [March 12, 



useless to try to make wounds aseptic because some germs have 

 ah-eadj escaped into the circulation is no stronger than that founded 

 on the resisting powers of spores to the action of antiseptics. Both 

 are the arguments of the bacteriologist rather than of the practical 

 surgeon, and, whilst being treated with all respect, they must not he 

 estimated above their true value. 



I cannot hope that your patience is not exhausted. But I trust 

 that you are now convinced of the real danger that may result from 

 neglecting Lister's teaching l)oth in civil and military practice. 



As to the latter, which for the moment occupies almost all our 

 thoughts, I shx)uld be the last to say that there is only one way of 

 salvation — that, for example, corrosive sublimate is dangerous, or 

 iodine untrustworthy, or peroxide of hydrogen of little value. But 

 I still think that undihited carbolic acid is, according to our present 

 lights, the antiseptic most likely to be practically useful in the rough- 

 and-tumble practice of the battlefield. 



And whether or not this may turn out to be the conclusion of 

 our gallant brethren at the front, I would add that the experience of 

 the present war is one of the strongest arguments for rallying to 

 Sir James Crichton-Browne's battle-cry, " Back to Lister." 



Long ago it was prophesied that science would stop war by making 

 it too horrible. Are we nearing that blessed result ? One fact 

 stands out in spite of the faint hopes I have expressed — that nothing 

 can stop sepsis in war except stopping war altogether. 



[R.J.G.] 



