In which field did Joseph Lister have a significant impact?

Joseph Lister had a profound impact on surgical practice through his pioneering work in antisepsis. He introduced the use of carbolic acid (phenol) as a disinfectant to sterilize surgical instruments and cleanse wounds, which significantly reduced the incidence of surgical infections. This practice transformed the safety and outcomes of surgical procedures, leading to a paradigm shift in how surgery was performed. Lister's methods laid the groundwork for modern aseptic techniques, which focus on eliminating pathogens to prevent infection during and after surgery. His contributions have been fundamental in establishing the importance of maintaining a sterile environment in surgical settings, ultimately saving countless lives and enhancing patient safety in the field of medicine.