 Roddick returned to Montreal later that year and introduced Joseph Lister's antiseptic system, primarily his 'carbolic spray,' revolutionizing the way medicine was practiced in Montreal's Hospitals.In 1894 Roddick, with the aid of fellow specialist James Bell, created the Department of Surgery and became the first chief surgeon of the Royal Victoria Hospital.However, by 1901 Roddick found himself no longer able to practice surgery, having become allergic to the new antiseptic replacing the carbolic acid he had introduced to Montreal, iodoform.