Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
II. Parentage and Nationality
UNIVERSITY EDUCATION ii his mother, and that had driven everything else from his mind. After performing the final duties of filial piety he returned to Vienna and obtained his degree in April 1844. He had then evidently formed no plans for the future, except that he was able to sign a declaration that he did not intend to remain in Vienna For the diploma of Master of Midwifery which had next to be obtained, Semmelweis prepared himself with unusual care, for he had been already attracted to the subject, probably by the personality of Dr. Johann Chiari, assistant in the Obstetric Clinic for Students of Medicine. Semmelweis attended the prescribed course of practical instruction in midwifery more than once, and he and Chiari, who was about-the same age, became firm and constant friends. One case which they then observed together throws a singular light upon the state of gynaecology, and illustrates the simple faith of the time in the prevailing epidemic doctrine of the etiology of puerperal fever. A w^oman, who suffered only from a fibroid polypus of the uterus, was admitted into the Clinic, and the tumour was removed in the usual way. She soon became ill with symptoms similar to puerperal fever, and died. Post-mortem examination shewed the pathological changes in the parts to be identical with those of puerperal fever. Chiari, who had naturally accepted the ordinary opinion taught in the Clinic, explained that the death was due to epidemic influences, which were sometimes so virulent that the puerperal fever attacked even non-puerperal women. Considering w'hat was so soon to happen to both Chiari and Semmelweis, the incident is quite dramatic and worthy of record. On the ist of August, 1844, Semmelweis was promoted to the degree of Master of Midwifery. He had by that time decided to devote his professional life to the science and practice of Obstetrics, and he says in the Introduction to the ÄEtiologie : “On the ist of July, 1844, I announced myself to the Director of this Clinic as aspirant for the post of Assistant the first time a vacancy should occur. On
