Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
V. Life in Buda-Pesth
TARNIER 187 and hitherto strongly opposed by his fellow-countrymen obtain naturalisation in France (das französische Bürgerrecht). Let us hear now how Dubois, the summum forum obstetricium of France condemns my opinions. He says: “Also the theory of Semmelweis . . . received in Germany and England with such lively interest has not been proved correct, and it is probably by this time forgotten in the school where it originated.” After still further quotation from Dubois Semmelweis exclaims: “And by this person without a conscience is French midwifery dominated! Poor Humanity, to whom dost thou entrust thy life ! “My Lehre is not already forgotten in the school where it originated, and what is more it will not be forgotten in the future. . . . My Doctrine is only slandered in the school where it originated, but my Doctrine avenges itself as all things noble avenge themselves on their slanderers. . . . That my Doctrine has not accomplished more, my traducers will have to answer. . . . And this revenge gives me this weapon into my hand that I can declare to my antagonists in the school whence my Doctrine emanated: “Your own diminished mortality is the strongest contradiction of your professions ! ” Tarnier. If Semmelweis had possessed more intimate knowledge of medico-social and scientific matters in Paris and could have read the signs of the times he would have been less exasperated. The old order which made it possible for Dubois, father and son between them, to occupy the most important official teaching appointments in Midwifery in Paris for already over half a century, was coming to an end, and the future reformer both in scientific midwifery and in hospital administration was already at work. Tarnier was destined to become the scientific successor of Semmelweis. There is a curious analogy in their circumstances and their early predelictions, and a remarkable similarity in the influences at work upon the
