Sinclair, Sir William J.: Semmelweis. His Life and his Doctrine (Manchester, 1909)
IV. Spread of the Doctrine During the Vienna Period
82 SKODA AND KLEIN as had been granted to my predecessor. I felt all the more bound to apply for this extension because I hoped during that time to strengthen the evidence in favour of my opinions about puerperal fever by the success of another two years’ treatment. However, my request was not complied with, even at the time when my colleague serving in the Second Clinic obtained the favour of an extension. My successor also obtained in due course a prolongation of his term of office for two years more. “After my retirement from my position as assistant on the 20th of March, 1849, I petitioned for nomination as Privat-Dozent of Midwifery. My request remained without result.” Such are the simple terms in which Semmelweis refers to the close of his official career in the Lying-in Hospital of Vienna, a misfortune for him in his professional career, a disaster to Obstetric Science, a calamity for mankind. He left the scene of his discovery, which stands almost unrivalled for its far-reaching beneficence, dismissed to gratify the spite of his chief against his too zealous friends and supporters. Semmelweis was so ill-advised as to protest and appeal against his dismissal. This was a hopeless proceeding. There could be no question of the result. The professor was appointed by the Minister of Public Instruction; the assistant was always appointed on the recommendation of the professor. Although Klein’s behaviour was highly discreditable, he was quite within his rights when he protested against the interference of his colleagues on behalf of Semmelweis in the affairs of his own Department. The great excitement among the members of the vast staff of the General Hospital and medical circles in Vienna were only episodes in the professional feud. Spread of Doctrine by Controversy. Skoda and Klein. Skoda had called the attention of the former Minister for Education to the discovery of Semmelweis, but the
