Keywords
Puerperal fever
Abstract
The death of a mother in childbirth leaving a newborn deserted is a sort of a desecration. This was a frequent event for early physicians. It was felt to be caused by miasmas or punishment from the gods. DaVinci felt the cause was milk stasis, Hippocrates - lochia, Virchow - weather. Then came Semmelweis, Pasteur and Lister. They started a battle with ignorance, hospital administration, budget and academic politics. Ending with the murder of Semmelweis!
Recommended Citation
Hammill, Hunter A., "Puerperal Fever from Hippocrates to Pasteur" (2012). Houston History of Medicine Lectures. 9.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/homl/9
Included in
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons, Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons
Comments
Transcript of a presentation given at the Houston History of Medicine Society lecture series. PowerPoint slides are also included below.