About

He was born in 1818 and worked in Vienna General Hospital, where he noticed a high mortality rate among women in the maternity ward. Through meticulous observation and analysis, Semmelweis discovered that the deaths were caused by "childbed fever" and identified the source as doctors not washing their hands before delivering babies. He introduced a handwashing protocol using chlorinated lime solution, which led to a significant reduction in mortality rates. Despite his success, Semmelweis faced resistance from the medical community, and his ideas were not widely accepted during his lifetime. He faced personal and professional hardships, and his mental health deteriorated, leading him to be committed to a mental asylum where he died at the age of 47. However, his contributions were eventually recognized and handwashing became standard practice in healthcare settings, saving countless lives. Semmelweis' work is considered a pivotal moment in the history of medicine and a precursor to our understanding of infectious diseases and hygiene practices.