We often hear the medical term "antiseptic".There are many over the counter and they are necessary.But what is it?Why apply?Of what consist?And who is the man to whom the world owes its creation?This article focuses on how these drugs were, what they are and why they are needed.
antiseptics
There is a whole system of measures for the destruction in the wound tissues and organs, and in the human body as a whole of harmful microorganisms that can cause inflammation of the centers.Such a system is called an antiseptic, which translated from Latin means "rotting".This term was first introduced by the British surgeon D. Pingle in 1750.However, Pingle - not the Englishman laid the foundations of antiseptics, which you might think.He just described the disinfecting effect of quinine and introduced us to a familiar concept.
Already with one name you can understand the operation of these funds.So antiseptics - drugs that are in various lesions of tissues and organs to prevent blood poisoning.Each of us is a child familiar with the most basic of them - is iodine and brilliant green.But the most ancient which have been applied during the time of Hippocrates, were vinegar and alcohol.Very often, the term "antiseptic" is confused with another term - "disinfectant."Antiseptics have a wider spectrum of activity, since they include all disinfecting preparations including disinfectants.
herbal remedies
There is such a thing as a natural antiseptic.This, as the name implies, a substance that is not created by man and nature.Example - the juice of such plants as aloe, or useful cough onion and garlic.
many antiseptics are made from natural materials.This is a different herbal teas, which include St. John's wort, yarrow or sage.It also includes not unknown tar soap, which is made on the basis of birch tar and tincture "Evkalimin", which is an extract of eucalyptus.
fundamental achievements of medicine
appearance of antiseptics in surgery of the nineteenth century, as well as other scientific discoveries (pain, discovery of blood groups) brought this area of medicine to a whole new level.Until that moment, most doctors were afraid to go to the risky operations, which were followed by autopsy tissues of the human body.It was a last resort when nothing else was no more.And no wonder, since statistics was disappointing.Almost one hundred percent of the patients died on the operating table.And the cause of all infections were surgical.
So, in 1874, Professor Erickson said that surgeons will always be available, such body parts as abdominal and cranial cavity, as well as the chest.Only the appearance of antiseptics fix it.
First Steps
antiseptics history began in ancient times.The writings of the doctors of ancient Egypt and Greece can be found mention of their use.However, no scientific basis did not yet exist.Only since the mid-nineteenth century was the antiseptic purposefully and meaningfully used as a substance that can prevent putrefaction.
While surgeons have performed many successful operations.However, serious problems continue to arise in the treatment of wounds.Even simple operations can be fatal.If you look at the statistics, every sixth patient died after or during surgery.
Empirical start
Base antiseptics laid Ignaz Semmelweis Hungarian obstetrician - a professor of the Budapest Medical University.In 1846-1849 years he worked in the obstetrics clinic named Klein, located in Vienna.There he noticed a strange mortality statistics.The department, which allowed students who died more than 30% of women in childbirth, and in places where the students did not go, the percentage was much lower.After some investigation, he found that the cause of puerperal fever, which kills the patient, had dirty hands of students, who before joining the obstetric department involved dissection of corpses.At the same time Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis at the time did not even know about germs and their role in decay.Having made such discoveries, he developed a method of protection - doctors before the surgery should have to wash your hands with a solution of bleach.And it worked: the frequency of deaths in the maternity ward to 1847 was only 1-3%.It was nonsense.However, during the life of Professor Ignaz Semmelweis it opened and have not been adopted by the major Western European experts in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.
Englishman laid the foundations of antiseptics
scientifically grounded concept of antiseptics only became possible after the publication of the works of Dr. Louis Pasteur.It was he who in 1863 showed that the processes of putrefaction and fermentation are microorganisms.
for surgery in this area was the luminary Joseph Lister.In 1865, he first said: "Anything that is not sterilized, should not touch the wound."It Lister invented as using chemical methods to deal with wound infection.He developed the famous bandage soaked in carbolic acid.By the way, in 1670, this acid substance is used as a disinfectant pharmacist Lemaire from France.
professor concluded that the festering wounds is due to the fact that they get the bacteria.He first gave a scientific substantiation of the phenomenon of surgical infection, and came up with ways to deal with it.So, George. Lister has become known worldwide as the Englishman, who laid the foundations of antiseptics.
method
J. Lister. Lister has invented its own way to protect against germs.It consisted of the following.Mainly antiseptic was carbolic acid (2-5% aqueous, oily or alcoholic solution).With solutions destroyed the microbes in the wound itself, as well as handle all contact with her subjects.Thus, surgeons greased hands, Cutting Tools, dressings and sutures, all operating room.Lister also proposed as suture material used catgut antiseptic, which had the property to disperse.Lister attached great importance to the air in the surgical room.He believed that it is a direct source of germs.Therefore, the room was also treated with carbolic acid with a special spray.
After surgery, the wound was sutured and covered with a bandage, consisting of several layers.This was also the invention of Lister.The bandage is not breathable, and its bottom layer, consisting of silk, impregnated five percent of carbolic acid, diluted with a resinous substance.Further eight superimposed layers treated rosin, paraffin and carbolic acid.Then, all covered with oilcloth and tied a clean bandage soaked in carbolic acid.
With this method the number of dying during surgery significantly reduced.Lister article telling about how to properly treat and disinfect fractures and ulcers, was published in 1867.She turned the whole world.It was a real breakthrough in science and medicine.And the author has become known worldwide as the Englishman, who laid the foundations of antiseptics.
Opponents
Lister method has become widely used and found a huge number of supporters.However, there were those who did not agree with his conclusions.Most opponents argued that the selected Lister carbolic acid - not suitable for disinfection antiseptic.The composition of this medium containing a substance which has a strong irritant effect.This could injure the patient's tissues like, and the surgeon's hands.Furthermore, carbolic acid has toxic properties.
It should be noted that the famous Russian surgeon Nikolai Pirogov is also close enough to the problem came before Joseph Lister.His method of treatment of the main disinfectants are bleach, camphor alcohol and silver nitrate, which are less toxic than the proposed Englishman carbolic acid.However, the pies did not build his doctrine on the use of antiseptics, although he was very close.
Aseptic against antiseptics
After some time has been developed completely new way of dealing with a surgical infection - aseptic.He lay in the fact that not disinfect the wound immediately and avoid contact with her infection.This method was more gentle compared to the antiseptic, so many doctors have called for the complete abandonment of the development of Lister.However, life as usual put everything on his own.
chemistry as a science does not stand still.There are new antiseptics in medicine, which have replaced toxic carbolic acid.They were softer and gentle.During the First World War there was an urgent need for powerful tools that can be decontaminated gunshot wounds.The old septic and antiseptic preparations could not cope with severe infectious foci.So, we come to the fore chemicals.
All new and new developments
In the thirties of the last century, the world has a new high-quality antiseptic.It was sulfanilamide drug that can prevent and inhibit the growth of bacteria in the human body.The tablets are taken in and worked on specific groups of microorganisms.
In the forties, was created the world's first antibiotic.With his appearance for surgeons opened completely unthinkable to this possibility.The main feature of the antibiotic is a selective effect on bacteria and micro-organisms.Virtually all modern antiseptics belong to this group.It seemed that the best preparation is simply can not be.However, later it turned out that the excessive use of antibiotics causes a kind of immunity from microorganisms, and side effects has not been canceled.
unique product
scientific and medical progress does not stand still.And in the eighties of the twentieth century, the world learned of this preparation as "Miramistin."First, it was designed as an antiseptic, disinfectant skin astronauts traveling to the space station.But then it was admitted into widespread use.
What is it so unique?First, the active drug is absolutely safe and nontoxic.Secondly, it does not penetrate the mucous membranes and skin and has no side effects.Third, it aims at the destruction of the vast range of pathogens: fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa.In addition, its unique feature is the mechanism of influence on the microbes.Unlike antibiotics preparation of a new generation does not produce resistance in microorganisms.The medicament "Miramistin" is used not only in the treatment of infections, but also for their prevention.So today, unique products created for space exploration are available for all of us.
