Semmelweis on Google Doodle This post is dedicated to my mentor, VM, who exposed me to the field of history of medicine. As part of my training, he made it a point to drill me on the historical aspects of specific treatments. The exciting thing about these small vignettes regarding history is that they make good conversation pieces. These days, seeing people around in frantic in hand-washing exercise, reminded me of one of the first historical icons that VM introduced. Something as simple hand washing is often undervalued, and the first person who promoted this was never really feted. In fact, as like other many historical figures, he, Ignaz Semmelweis, died a sad man. The Vienna General Hospital of the mid-19th century had two obstetric wings; one manned by midwives and the other was run by doctors. This was during the pre-antibiotic era when puerperal fever was a common occurrence and death due to sepsis was nothing unusual. In fact, more mothers died in the doctor's wi...
It is all Mimesis