Biofore Magazine 2022

8

Nature nurture Humans have had to treat injuries since time immemorial. From moss to antiseptic chemicals and synthetic fibres, modern-day wound care has returned to its roots: Mother Nature's healing arms. an d

Antisepsis British surgeon Joseph Lister invented the antisepsis method and was the first to introduce the use of clean cotton batting soaked in phenol to treat wounds.

STONE AGE Moss Used as nature’s own wound dressing for thousands of years, some moss species restrict bacteria growth, are effective in absorbing liquids and have antiseptic qualities.

MID- 1800 s

1800 s Cotton

1550 BCE

Among other textiles, such as silk and wool, cotton was commonly used as a dressing. The use of cotton gauze soaked in paraffin was embraced by the medical community.

Animal fat, honey and lint

1914-1918

The Egyptian Papyrus Ebers, the oldest known medical manuscript in human history, advises in the use of linen textiles coated with lint, animal fat and honey in wound care.

Non-adherent dressing

Several advancements were made in wound treatment during World War I and II. One of them was the non adherent dressing that comprised of two layers, giving the basis for dressing advancements for years to come.