This Classic Article is a reprint of the original work by Baron Joseph Lister, On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery. An accompanying biographical sketch of Baron Joseph Lister is available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-010-1319-3 . The Classic Article is (c)1867 and is reprinted with courtesy from Lister J. On the antiseptic principle in the practice of surgery. Br Med J. 1867;ii:246.