Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
II. Parentage and Nationality
12 UNIVERSITY EDUCATION the ist of July, 1846, I definitively assumed the duties of Assistant at the First Obstetric Clinic, but I had to resign in October in favour of my predecessor, Dr. Breit, who had obtained a two-years’ extension of his appointment.” . . . This was contrary to the custom prevailing in the Obstetric Clinics. “Dr. Breit was the first to whom this favour was granted.” During the two years between July 1844, and July 1846, Semmelweis, as Aspirant, had free access to the practice of the Clinic without being tied down to the routine duties of assistant. Of the excellent opportunities thus afforded him Semmelweis availed himself to the uttermost. As he had no time to attend the Gynaecological Clinic he began at this period to examine the bodies of women who had died from gynaecological diseases or operations, and owing to the friendly interest of Rokitansky he obtained abundant material. In order to clearly appreciate the circumstances under which the great discovery was made, it may be desirable to know something of the environment of Semmelweis at the time when he entered upon his official professional duties. What was the scene of his professional occupation ? What sort of man was his chief ? Who were the friends with whom he associated, and whom he depended upon for advice and encouragement? We should also try to form some tolerably clear estimate of the rather chaotic state of opinion with regard to the causes and nature of puerperal fever prevalent at the time when Semmelweis commenced to make the observations which produced the revolution in professional opinion and practice.
