Lister ordered those working under him to put on clean gloves and have their hands washed with 5% carbolic acid before entering the operation room. All the instruments used in the operating theater were also sprayed with the same solution. He found that when carbolic acid was rubbed on wounds, it would reduce the patient’s chances of developing gangrene.
He also suggested that porous natural materials are not the best for handling surgical instruments as these bring a higher risk of infection. Along with these discoveries, Lister also developed a new way to repair broken kneecaps with the use of wires. He also improved the method of performing mastectomies during his career.