Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
VI. Publication or "Die Aetiologie"
23Ó ZIPFEL obtained with the aid of all the branches of natural science. . . . Breisky has made no reference to the lifesaving discovery and the favourable results already obtained : he has only thought it right to raise a series of objections of doubtful value, and to demand from the obstetrician such a full and complete development of his Doctrine in all directions as can be reached only by the co-operation of physiology, chemistry, physics and histology, when in the course of time these branches of science have made further advances.” Such is in essentials the far-seeing and sagacious article of Markusovszky’s on the objections to the Semmelweis discovery. It was friendly, but it required courage and patience with his friend, who was sadly excited and unreasonable in his reception of the truth contained in the article. He appears to have even believed for a time that Markusovszky, his most loyal friend and most influential supporter, had gone over to the camp of the enemy.' Zipfel, 1861. In October, i860, a serious “epidemic” of puerperal fever broke out in the Second Obstetric Clinic of Vienna. Among 101 cases of labour not fewer than 35 were fatal. The provisional Director of the School for Midwives was then the Dr. Zipfel, the person who nearly discovered the etiology of puerperal fever himself. He was by this time Professor. Professor Zipfel had to report to the Civil Authorities on the epidemic, and this report was published towards the end of 1861. “ If we inquire into the etiological factors in the production of this devasting pestilence, we must observe that it broke out under the most favourable health conditions.” . . . The state of the weather was perfect, according to the Report; the wards were not crowded; no case of gangrene or case producing putrid or offensive effluvia had been admitted for a long time. Postmortem examinations had been forbidden on principle the whole year through. Infection during labour by putrid or cadaveric material conveyed
