Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)

VII. Last Illness and Death

/^During these last two years Semmelweis was ostensibly enjoying a life of calm domestic peace and happiness, but latterly there must have been times of terrible anxiety to his poor young wife, which she endeavoured to conceal from even intimate friends. Then, during lectures, at medical society meetings, even in the public street, where he became an object of derision, scenes occurred which must have convinced his medical friends that Semmelweis could no longer be considered a sane man. Their forbearance seems inexplicable to the modern reader. He might have been a royal lunatic, concerning whom no man dare take the initiative^

Many details about episodes and eccentricities are given by some biographers over which, at this time of day, we may decently draw the veil. After all the sad incidents were at an end, and Semmelweis was in the grave, the widow would naturally, in tearful reminiscences over the painful episodes, give many details in conversation; but it is enough for the medical world to-day to trace the pathetic story to its close, without the record of harrowing incidents productive of only painful regret.

On the 13th of July, 1865, Semmelweis, with his wife and children, had been visiting some friends in an outlying suburb of the city. He had behaved in such an extraordinary manner during a meal, and shewed such an unnatural and remarkable facial expression, that on the way home the dreadful thought suddenly flashed upon his wife: “Mein Gott! can he have become insane?” In her anxiety she sent next day for Markusovszky and related the incidents. He, while speaking words of reassurance and comfort, could not conceal his own anxiety. The mental disturbance of Semmelweis inLast Illness and Death.

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