Ignaz

Ignaz Semmelweis (1 July 1818 – 13 August 1865) was a Hungarian physician and scientist, now known as an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures. His discovery of hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics significantly reduced puerperal fever mortality rates. He published his findings in Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever.

Early life and education

Semmelweis was born on 1 July 1818 in Buda, now part of Budapest, Hungary. He started his studies in law at the University of Vienna in 1837, but by the following year, he had switched to medicine. He was awarded his doctorate degree in medicine in 1844.

Career

Semmelweis's early career was as an assistant to professor Johann Klein in the First Obstetrical Clinic of the Vienna General Hospital. His observations led him to conclude that puerperal fever, a type of sepsis, could be drastically cut by the use of hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics.

Death and legacy

Semmelweis died on 13 August 1865 at the age of 47. Despite his groundbreaking work, his ideas were largely ignored, rejected, or ridiculed. Today, however, he is recognized as a pioneer of antiseptic policy and has even been referred to as the "savior of mothers".

See also

• History of medicine
• Medical hygiene
• Puerperal fever

References

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External links

• Britannica Biography: Ignaz Semmelweis

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