Despite advances in science, in the 19th century there was still a preference for traditional methods in wound treatment. For example, oxygen was thought to be harmful to the wound, and practices like bloodletting were still performed. Frequent dressing changes were considered the norm. None of these methods helped to alleviate the pain in patients, on the contrary . In the 1860's things changed, thanks to inventions by Victor von Bruns and Sir Joseph Lister. Finally wound dressings could be applied efficiently and effectively and the dressings could be mass produced which resulted in many benefits for the patients.
Sir Joseph Lister (1827–1912)
Invented the aseptic wound dressing
“A prophet is not without honor save in his own country“, a common saying goes. The English surgeon Sir Joseph Lister also had this bitter experience with his antisepsis theory. His invention of an antiseptic wound dressing met with great skepticism and rejection of his professional colleagues at home in England, while a vast number of German surgeons took up the innovation enthusiastically.
With the absor- bent cotton wool dressing he paved new ways in wound treatment
Professor Victor von Bruns paved the way for modern wound treatment in the 19th century. In Germany, Paul Hartmann commenced the industrial production of absorbent cotton wool dressings in 1873. It became an important pillar in the HARTMANN product range.
