JOSEPH LISTER - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 06/16/1903 - HFSID 27351

JOSEPH LISTER. ALS: "Lister", 1p, 4½x7 black-bordered stationery. 12, Park Crescent, Portland Place, 1903 June 16. To A.W. Admond Esqr. Begins: "My dear Sir". In full: "I cannot but comply with the request with which you have honoured me. Believe me sincerely yours". British surgeon and medical researcher Joseph Lister (1827-1912), is considered to be the father of antiseptics and modern surgery. In 1865, Lister, who had made a study of inflammation and suppuration following injuries and wounds, began using carbolic acid sprays to kill airborne germs. He realized that germs were present everywhere, making it necessary for doctors and nurses to wash their hands and to disinfect instruments and dressings used in the operating room. This procedure saved nearly 50% of his patients who would have died from infection without the antiseptic conditions. In 1877, Lister demonstrated conclusively that his method of antisepsis reduced danger to life from surgery. That year, he began serving as the Chair of Clinical Surgery at Kings College, a post that he held until his retirement from surgical practice in 1893, ten years before this letter was written.Lister had been created a Baronet in 1883 and Queen Victoria named him Baron Lister of Lyme Regis in 1897 as a result of his contributions to the medical profession. Lightly soiled, touching signature. Slightly creased, mid-horizontal fold at 1 line of writing. Shaded at left margin and lower right, touching writing (all legible). Mounting remnant (no show through) on verso of integral leaf, which is lightly soiled. Overall, fine condition.