Semmelweis, Ignaz Philipp#
b. Buda (Budapest), July 1, 1818, d. Vienna, Aug. 13, 1865. Obstetrician, discovered the cause of puerperal fever ("saviour of mothers"). 1846-1849 assistant at the obstetric clinic in Vienna, then physician in Budapest, where he became university professor of obstetrics in 1855. Was the first to realise that puerperal fever was an infection passed on by doctors and midwives and applied antiseptic methods before the Englishman J. B. Lister (chlorinated lime disinfection). Most of the contemporary authorities to whom he appealed in open letters opposed him; was fully recognised only after his death. S. died of blood-poisoning while confined in a lunatic asylum in Vienna. The gynaecological hospital in the 18th district of Vienna has been named after him.
Publications#
Die Aethiologie, der Begriff und die Prophylaxis des Kindbettfiebers, 1857-1860; 2 offene Briefe an Dr. J. Spaeth, 1861; 2 offene Briefe an Hofrat Dr. C. J. v. Siebold, 1861. - Edition: Gesammelte Werke, ed. by D. Gyoery, 1905.Literature#
A. Hegar, I. P. S. und seine Lehre, 1882; E. Lesky, I. P. S. und die Wr. Medizin. Schule, 1964.