certainly would picture an individual in medical scrubs (most likely
white or green scrubs), wearing a mask, etc. But it hasn't always been
that way. Medical scrubs are actually a relatively modern practice.
Until the 20th century, surgery was (compared to today's standards) a
rather crude operation, which did not really involve any sanitation,
least of all anything like medical scrubs. Sterilization was no...
If I asked you to picture a surgeon in your mind's eye, you almost
certainly would picture an individual in medical scrubs (most likely
white or green scrubs), wearing a mask, etc. But it hasn't always been
that way. Medical scrubs are actually a relatively modern practice.
Until the 20th century, surgery was (compared to today's standards) a
rather crude operation, which did not really involve any sanitation,
least of all anything like medical scrubs. Sterilization was not even a
consideration, because there was really no understanding of how disease
and germs spread. Many scientists believed in spontaneous generation,
meaning that germs spontaneously generated from nothing. Little or no
consideration was given to basic sanitation, so the mortality rate was
very high.
Actually, many surgeons wore a butcher's apron, and since they did not
don a clean one between patients, it would become very soiled by blood
and fluids. So a dirty apron just meant a busy surgeon.
Around 1920, sanitation methods began to be employed in the operating
room. By the 1940's, an increased understanding of operation sanitation
motivated the introduction of sanitary drapes and attire for the medical
personnel.
Originally, the scrubs were white, to emphasize and display their
cleanliness. However, this presented several problems. First of all, red
blood splotches were quite unsightly on white clothing. Also, the all
white clothing, when coupled with bright lighting, cause eye strain. So
they began switching from white to green clothing.
By the 1970's, scrubs had largely become what they are today: a short
sleeve shirt and drawstring pants, in most cases, made of green cotton.
All medical scrubs are not green, though. Many hospitals color code
their uniforms according to departments. For example, Emergency Room
staff would wear pink, Surgery staff would wear green, and Labor and
Delivery Room staff would wear blue. Or, in university hospitals, the
staff may wear colors corresponding to the school colors.
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