Inspired by Louis Pasteur's ideas on microbial infection, the English doctor Sir Joseph Lister demonstrated in 1865 that the use of carbolic acid on surgical dressings would significantly reduce rates of post-surgical infection. Lister's work inspired St. Louis-based doctor Joseph Lawrence to develop an alcohol-based formula for a surgical antiseptic. in honor of Lister, Lawrence named his antiseptic "Listerine" in 1879.
Lawrence licensed his brown formula to a local pharmacist named Jordan Lambert in 1881. Lambert subsequently started the Lambert Pharmacal Company, marketing Listerine. Listerine was promoted to dentists for oral care in 1895. By 1914, it was the first over-the-counter mouthwash sold in the United States.
No comments:
Post a Comment