Pioneering surgeon’s life is celebrated
IT is not possible to calculate the number of lives or limbs one Glasgow surgeon saved as a result of his medical innovations – but his impact is felt, 150 years on, throughout the world.
At 38-years-old, Joseph Lister saved the life and leg of A young boy who had been crushed by a metal-wheeled cart.
James Greenlees was taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he went under the knife of Mr Lister, then house surgeon. After cleaning the boy’s wound, the English doctor – who was developing new antiseptic techniques – operated on the fracture and then applied a carbolic acid dressing to the injury.
This was in 1865, a time when undergoing leg surgery gave you even odds of surviving the procedure. But because of Mr Lister’s innovations, the boy left the hospital after dodging the potential killers of gangrene and sepsis.
Now, the Friends of the Glasgow Royal Infirmary have dedicated a week this month to celebrating the pioneering medical man’s life and work.
John Stuart, who started his nurse training in the Royal and who recently retired as chief nurse after a career of almost 40 years, is one of the founding members of the charity.
He said: “The hospital is the oldest in Glasgow and many Glaswegians have a connection to it.
“Celebrating Lister seemed an obvious choice for our first event because his discoveries have had such an impact on healthcare and he made them whilst working at the Royal.
“Lots of people use Listerine mouthwash but most will not make the connection – it is named after Lister, the father of antisepsis.
“Lister revolutionised surgery throughout the world.
“There are many notable figures who have worked within these walls and we wanted to bring people together by sharing the accomplishments associated with the Royal over the 226 years since it opened – and who better to start with than one of our most famous sons?”
Lister Week will see the hospital’s Twitter account taken over by the medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris, who will explore the doctor’s achievements. It will also feature digital events and presentations and runs from February 22 to 26.
Dr Morven McElroy, one of the minds behind the week-long celebration, said: “We are lucky in many ways because we can still come to our work.
“Our work is a privilege – we get to spend time talking to people, learning about their lives and helping them.
“Every year, when new members of staff begin their careers, they enjoy hearing about and seeing the history within the Royal.”