Ignaz Semmelweis

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician and scientist who made a groundbreaking discovery in the prevention of puerperal fever, also known as childbed fever, a deadly infection that afflicted women after childbirth. He observed that the mortality rate of women who delivered their babies in the doctors' ward was much higher than those who delivered in the midwives' ward. He also noticed that the doctors often performed autopsies before attending to the women in labor, without washing their hands or instruments. He hypothesized that the doctors were carrying some kind of "cadaverous particles" from the corpses to the women, causing the infection. He then implemented a strict rule of hand washing with chlorinated lime solution for all doctors and medical students who entered the obstetrical clinic. The result was a dramatic decrease in the death rate from puerperal fever, from 18% to less than 2%. Semmelweis published his findings in 1861, in a book titled Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever. However, his theory was met with resistance and ridicule by the medical establishment of his time, who could not accept that they were responsible for spreading the disease. Semmelweis was unable to provide a convincing explanation for his observations, as the germ theory of disease had not been established yet. He became increasingly frustrated and outspoken, and his colleagues considered him insane. In 1865, he was tricked into visiting a mental asylum, where he was forcibly confined. He died there 14 days later, from sepsis caused by a wound on his right hand, possibly inflicted by the guards. Semmelweis's work was largely forgotten until decades after his death, when Louis Pasteur confirmed the germ theory and Joseph Lister applied it to surgery. Semmelweis is now recognized as a pioneer of antiseptic procedures and a martyr of science. He is often called "the saviour of mothers" for his contribution to reducing maternal mortality. His life story has inspired many works of art and literature, and his name is commemorated in several institutions and awards related to medicine and public health.