Semmelweis' discovery
Documentary heritage submitted by Hungary and recommended for inclusion in the Memory of the World Register in 2013.
© Semmelweis Museum, Library and Archives of the History of Medicine
Document on the discovery of the causes of children fever and elaborating aseptic prevention against it. By Ignaz Semmelweis.
A collection of printed materials on the discovery of the causes of childbed fever and elaborating aseptic prevention against it by Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis between 1847-1861. Semmelweis proved that puerperal fever having led earlier to particularly high mortality rates can be fully prevented. He determined the etiology of puerperal fever and, in doing so, also proved that the infection can be fully prevented if the persons getting into contact with the women giving birth thoroughly sterilize their hands. The prevention recommended by him is unique and was accepted relatively slowly in the world, although others also realized his achievement and studied this phenomenon.