1910–1911
Britannica 11th
Encyclopaedia Britannica · 11th edition
ANTISEPTICS (Gr. &VTI, against, and o^Trrucds, putrefactive), the name given to substances which are used for the prevention of bacterial development in animal or vegetable matter. Some are true germicides, capable of destroying the bacteria, whilst others merely prevent or inhibit their growth. The antiseptic method of treating wounds (see SURGERY) was introduced by Lord Lister, and was an outcome of Pasteur's germ theory of putrefaction. For the growth of bacteria there must be a certain food supply, moisture, in…
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- Vol. 2, pp. 146-147