PSYC 330 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Asepsis, Good Guys (American Company), Ignaz Semmelweis
27 Jan 2017
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Concepts of aseptic technique (procedures designed to prevent contamination from microorganisms): mid 1800"s, ignaz semmelwies and joseph lister. Semmelweis was convinced that when physicians moved from one infected individual to a new individual without adequate washing, disease was transmitted. Lister used carbolic acid* to sterilize dressings and developed sprays in the surgical room. Antiseptic: substances that prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms. Antibiotic: a medicine that inhibits the growth of/destroys microorganisms. Although use of antiseptics was a major advance, they could not be taken internally, as they would kill the patient. Researchers sought a magic bullet or antibiotic that would kill only the microbes, leaving the host (person) unharmed. Penicillin - produced by penicillium chrysogenum -> huge breakthrough. Second half of 20th cent saw the discovery of many powerful antibiotics: florey and e. chain purified penicillin and it successfully saved the lives of many allied troops during wwii.
