What medical breakthrough provided a scalable way to treat previously fatal bacterial infections?
Answer
The discovery of antibiotics, specifically penicillin.
Before the discovery of antibiotics by Alexander Fleming, even minor cuts or infections could lead to fatal sepsis. Antibiotics provided a medical solution that allowed for the treatment of these bacterial infections on a large scale. This discovery fundamentally changed medicine, turning many conditions that were once death sentences into easily treatable issues, thereby drastically improving survival rates.

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