Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis: More than antisepsis

Abstract

Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, is an actor in one of the most fascinating chapter in the history of preventive medicine discovery of iatrogenic illness. Infection of the genital tract after childbirth and abortion has always been among the leading causes peripartum mortality. This problem reached epidemic proportion in early and mid-nineteenth century, with the development of the maternity ward. Medicine at that time was unknown causal origin (miasma theory) and the causation of disease progression (the theory 'of suppression of lochia' and 'wrongly directed milk'). In 1844., when Semmelweis became an aspirant to the position of assistant of professor Johann Klain at the First Vienna maternity clinic, perinatal mortality was 15,8%, and 1848. increased to 18%. In Second clinic, where they worked only midwives, was only 3%. Semmelweis creates precise statistics, makes number observations on maternity fever, creates and test hypotheses about its causal origin. Challenging the ruling theory, concludes that is the cause of the disease decomposed organic matters (cadaveric particles) who transmitted with hands of medical staff after the autopsy, and that hand disinfection with solution of chlorine lime its incidence can be reduced. Hypothesis is proved in experiments with rabbits. In his time remains unrecognized for refusing to publish their findings, the similarities with the work of English supporters of infection (unrecognized difference between the terms 'infectious' and ' transferable') and high sensitivity of issues. Accepting Semmelweis theory that is every case of puerperal fever caused by absorption of decomposed organic matter, for many would mean a loss of prestige and reputation. A century and half after the death of this great man stands as a lesson 'Semmelweis reflex'- metaphor for tendency that new knowledge and evidence being rejected if they are contrary to the traditional norms, beliefs and paradigms.