Ignaz Semmelweis, circa 1864
Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, to Professor Scanzoni. Semmelweiss was the originatior of the idea that the unclean hands of physicians spread disease, particularly to women in childbirth.
“Your doctrine, Professor, is based on upon the corpses of parturient women murdered out of ignornace. If you think my theory wrong, I challenge you to communicate to me your reasons… But should you continue, without having refuted my theory, to teach your purpils the theory of epidemic puerperal fever, I declare you a murderer before God and the world.
Leave a Reply