Semmelweis's Work: Hand-washing Lowered Maternal Death Rate Dramatically.
- Author:
Won Kil LEE
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Semmelweis;
Puerperal fever;
Asepsis
- MeSH:
Asepsis;
Autopsy;
Fever;
Hand;
Humans;
Maternal Death*
- From:Korean Journal of Nosocomial Infection Control
2005;10(2):43-47
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Semmelweis correctly concluded that puerperal fever could be spread from necrotic discharge from living patients, as well as autopsy material. And maternal death rate was decreased dramatically by washing hands in chlorinated lime. Semmelweis may be credited with having for the first time constructed a statistically tested system of asepsis (keeping germs away from the patient) before the germ theory had arrived.
