Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
III. Life in Vienna
SEMMELWEIS AS ASSISTANT 15 work of theoretical and scientific knowledge, as well as by practical experience acquired under supervision. He had been working for two years at least at the pathological anatomy of obstetrics and gynaecology with the help and inspiring counsels of Rokitansky, the world- famed professor of pathology, upon the abundant material supplied by the First Obstetric Clinic; and he also made the autopsies in the Second Obstetric Clinic owing to temporary circumstances. During the same period he had the privilege of assisting in the practical clinical work in the First Obstetric Clinic under Professor Klein and his assistant. During his “aspirant” stage he lodged near the General Hospital, and no doubt made the acquaintance of many young graduates and students of medicine, and shared with a light heart in the social academic life of the Josephstadt, the Vienna Latin-quarter. Among the many Hungarian students was Ludwig v. Markusovszky, of Buda-Pesth; and between him and Semmelweis a friendship sprang up which continued for the remainder of their lives, and was a source of happiness and mutual advantage, perhaps more especially to Semmelweis in the later years. Markusovszky, of whom we shall hear much, was a singularly able man, and a devoted friend. After a few months in discharge of the duties of provisional assistant, Semmelweis undertook all the work and responsibility of ordinary assistant. It now became part of his routine duty to visit and examine every patient in the early morning, so as to report to the professor on his arrival in the wards. He was accompanied by a crowd of students, each of whom might examine the patients. Here we have a glimpse for the first time of practices which may well make the modern accoucheur shudder to think of. In the afternoon it was the duty of the assistant to take the students round for purposes of clinical instruction, and examine every patient who was in labour. He had also to be always ready day or night to perform
