The role of animal experiments conducted by Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis in the elucidation of puerperal fever : Welche Rolle spielten Tierexperimente bei der Aufklärung des Kindbettfiebers durch Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis?

Makovitzky, József (2015) The role of animal experiments conducted by Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis in the elucidation of puerperal fever : Welche Rolle spielten Tierexperimente bei der Aufklärung des Kindbettfiebers durch Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis? KALEIDOSCOPE: MŰVELŐDÉS- TUDOMÁNY- ÉS ORVOSTÖRTÉNETI FOLYÓIRAT, 6 (11). pp. 173-178. ISSN 2062-2597

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Abstract

Semmelweis was miles ahead of his time in the fight against puerperal sepsis and thus his failure was inevitable despite the fact that he could prove his theory by animal experiments. The autopsy findings in laboratory animals were equal to those found in human septicaemia cases. His letters must be interpreted as a constant struggle for his theories and beliefs. Despite support from Škoda, Rokitansky, Hebra and Brücke – leading scientific figures of the Vienna Medical School at that time – his theses gained full recognition and acceptance all over the world only 20 years after his death. The findings derived from the autopsy of Dr. Kolletschka, who died of bacterial sepsis after having been injured by a dissecting medical student, emphasize the importance of post-mortem examinations.

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