Joseph Lister

The only thing more stubborn than a germ is a surgeon who refuses to believe in them.

I find it rather amusing that the very air we breathe is considered a greater threat than the filth on our instruments.

My greatest innovation, perhaps, is not the carbolic acid itself, but the notion that we should actually *try* to keep things clean.

To those who say my methods are too much trouble, I ask: is a life saved not worth a little trouble?

I have been called many things, but 'unclean' is not one of them, at least not by my patients.

It appears that some prefer the drama of a festering wound to the quiet success of a clean one.

The human body is a remarkable machine, but even it has its limits when confronted with a surgeon's unwashed hands.

I am merely suggesting that we give our patients a fighting chance, rather than a guaranteed infection.

Some of my colleagues seem to believe that the smell of putrefaction is a sign of a successful operation. I find it rather alarming.

If only I could bottle the common sense that seems to be so scarce in the operating theatre.

My critics often complain about the smell of carbolic acid. I assure them, it is far preferable to the smell of gangrene.

It is a simple equation: cleanliness equals life. Why this is so difficult to grasp, I cannot fathom.

I have no doubt that the future of surgery will be a clean one, even if I have to scrub every surgeon myself.

The only thing more infectious than a germ is a bad habit, especially in the operating room.

I am not asking for miracles, gentlemen, merely a little soap and water.

It seems that some prefer to learn from their mistakes, even when those mistakes are fatal.

My work is not about magic, but about meticulous attention to detail, and a healthy respect for invisible enemies.

I have often wondered if the resistance to my methods is a matter of pride, or simply a lack of imagination.

To those who say my methods are unproven, I say: look at the mortality rates. They speak for themselves, rather loudly.

I am merely providing the tools for survival. The rest, gentlemen, is up to you and your scrub brush.