Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
VI. Publication or "Die Aetiologie"
228 CORRESPONDENCE AND OPINIONS complete evidence in favour of the practical extension of my Doctrine.” Such is the introduction to the history of the controversy over the “ JEtiologie.” Here then we have made an attempt to convey to the English reader some impression of the contents of one of the greatest medical works of the nineteenth century, together with some idea of the manner in which the new Doctrine was conveyed. The subject was too great and serious for the high professional rhetorical style; the only element of rhetoric in it is the rhetorical artifice of re-iteration, of which there is superabundance. The story is always told in a straight, clear and earnest and dignified manner, the style occasionally rising to eloquence; but there is nothing artificial about it; it is perfectly natural and singularly suitable to the immeasurable importance of the message. Semmelweis had brought a new idea into the world fraught with immense consequences to humanity. For him it was the summit of the truth Die Höhe der Wahrheit, the “eternally true” doctrine of the cause of one of the direst calamities to human society, and a revelation of the means of preventing its continuance. The message had to be effectively and persuasively conveyed so that clear conviction might produce strong action. And granted the faith created, the action should be easy, for the doctrine was vastly too simple for belief. In place of all the systems of belief built up for generations, the professional world was asked to believe that a decomposed animal organic matter, directly conveyed to the genital tract, was the only cause of puerperal fever, no case of puerperal fever excepted since the human female began to bear children. This is the universal belief of the medical profession to-day, and recognised to be eternally true, because the author had discovered the true principle on which to found his doctrine, and principles do not change. Small details and temporary fashions and vogues have been laid stress on or come into prominence at times by the influence of strong personalities;
