For any of us who have ever withstood the experience of surgery, cheers to Joseph Lister! The English surgeon made a breakthrough in 1867 when he discovered the use of carbolic acid as an antiseptic—in laymans terms: Joseph Lister was a pioneer in the practice of performing sterile surgery. Certainly, the recipient of this handwritten message from Lister, one Miss Pengelly, priorly sought to avail herself of his medical prowess. Dated March 3, 1867, in full, the message reads: “I am very sorry to learn that you have been so seriously ill. But I hope you will not feel any permanent bad consequences of this strangely serious complaint, influenza. I have enquired of the Royal Society and learn that Prof. Boyd Dawkins has not yet sent in his manuscript. The assistant secretary has sent him another reminder. With kind remembrance to Mrs. Pengelly & your sister.”—Yours very sincerely—(signed) Joseph Lister.” The 3.75 x 6 black-bordered sheet with Portland Place letterhead shows a hint of mild soiling, which in no way affects the heirloom’s fine condition. RRAuction COA.
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