Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)

V. Life in Buda-Pesth

PREPARATION OF THE ÄTIOLOGIE 199

his endeavour to secure improved accomodation and arrangements in his Clinic against official opposition or indifference.

Removal of the Obstetric Clinic.

In spite of all efforts it was not till early in i860 that the Obstetric Clinic of the University of Pesth was removed to the outside of the city along with the other hospitals.

Here then was a partial reward for all the restless endeavours of years. From the time of his return to Buda-Pesth in 1850 Semmelweis had been advocating in season and out of season, in every way within his reach, the adoption of the methods and the amenities of civilization which he knew to be prevalent in Western Europe. The measure of his success is indicated in an article published in the Wiener medicinische Wochenschrift in April, i860.

“If it is not to be denied that the institutions have obtained the advantages of more room, it must be admitted that the internal fittings (furniture, beds, etc.) are in the old wretched condition; the broken tables and the ragged and worn-out bedclothes, all brought from the old hospitals. Especially the Obstetric Clinic is in an undescribably pitiable condition; there poor lying-in women are to be found some of them partly on straw spread on the floor, some of them on wooden benches, others crouching in any corner of the room, weary and worn-out: only to few is it vouchsafed to find a regular bed on which to stretch their weary limbs. Everywhere you find dirty bed-linen with bedclothes old and worn, and almost in rags. It will be admitted that the professor of this Clinic cannot be blamed for this evil condition of things (Ubelst'dnde) because of laziness or indifference.’’