dec 7, 1846 - Ignaz Semmelweis Tells People to Wash Their Hands Before Delivering Babies
Description:
In the 18th century about 5-20% of women giving birth in hospitals died of puerperal fever, going up to 70% in smaller hospitals when there were bad outbreaks. Though doctors of course did not want to admit to their possible culpability, it became clear to some like Semmelweis and Alexander Gordon in the 1700's that they may be the cause of womens deaths. Semmelweis suggested before delivering babies and after doing other surgeries and proceduries that doctors wash their hands in chlorine; afterwards saw a decrease in mortality in mothers. Unfortunately Semmelweis was later committed and died of the same fever he tried to prevent.
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Disease Through History: Important Points in Human Civilization As Told Through Illness
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