In Medical field, phenol was first used as an antiseptic by Joseph Lister.Joseph Lister was a student at University College London under Robert Liston, later rising to the rank of Surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He believed that patients who passed through surgery, died due to infections caused by microorganisms.He theorized that if germs could be killed or prevented, no infection would occur. Lister reasoned that a chemical could be used to destroy the micro-organisms that cause infection. He made use of the carbolic acid by soaking a clean cloth in them, and placing it over the surgical wounds of patients.
