15 Mark Question’s - Example Answer & Ending Paragraphs.

Lack of antiseptics was a problem in surgery in 1845 as nobody knew about germs and many patients died because of infection even if they survived the operation. In order to resolve this, in 1847 Ignaz Semmelweiss insisted that

doctors wash their hands in calcium carbonate before treating their patient to avoid cross contamination. This made people realise sanitation was good as it

cut the death rate in Semmelweiss’ maternity ward. Louis Pasteur’s ‘Germ Theory’ made people more aware of bacteria and germs in the air that caused

disease and infection. So in 1865, Joseph Lister decided to spray surgical instruments and bandages with carbolic acid in order to sterilise them after having observed the spray being used to kill germs in sewage works and operating theatres. His work meant that the death rate among his patients went from 46% to 15%. Robert Koch built on Lister’s ideas by developing a

steam steriliser, in 1878, which sterilised instruments, this was an example of aseptic techniques as it used steam and not chemicals. Antiseptics were a

massive change to surgery given that they prevented infection and as a result of this, more patients survived newer, more complex (like open heart & brain

surgery), allowing it to become a much safer procedure.

15 Mark Question’s - Example Answer & Ending Paragraphs.

So by this time surgeons could perform longer and more complex surgeries

like brain, open heart and even plastic surgery, the first one of which was

during the first world war. Also, patients could no longer feel pain which was

a big improvement as patients didn’t have to worry about experiencing

agonising pain. However, people were still dying as the hospitals weren’t clean

and patients got infected quickly as a result of this.

Key:Problems With Infection

Improvements With InfectionLinking To Other Events

OBVIOUS Showing Of Improvement

Example Question : In What Ways Did Surgery Change In The Years 1845-1900?

As a result of anaesthetics.

Examples of the results. Evidence/Proof.

Improvement.

Result.

Point leading onto the next paragraph.