Antall József szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 66-68. (Budapest, 1973)

TANULMÁNYOK - Regöly-Mérei Gyula: A középkori és régi magyar egyetemek, különös tekintettel a budapesti orvosi kar jelentőségére a tudománytörténetben (angol nyelven)

His investigations on soil infection are also of great significance (Hygienische Untersuchungen über Luft, Boden und Wasser, 1890). His successor at the University was Leó Liebermann (1852-1926) whose research work included mainly the field of albumins, especially blood serum and the albumin of striped muscles. He gave a detailed description of paraalbumins in 1874. The test (protein) named after him and the Liebermann-Burchardt test (cholesterol) are internationally used at the present time too. One of the greatest personages not only of the Hungarian but of the international medical science as well is Ignác Fülöp Semmelweis (1818-1865) was Head Physician of the Budapest Rochus hospital (named at present after Semmelweis) in his native town between 1850-1855 and Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Pest from 1855 until his death. His fundamental discovery of puerperal fever was first published in Hungarian language in the "Orvosi Hetilap" (Weekly Journal of Medicine). In Pest he wrote and published his epoch-making book (Die Aetiologie, der Begriff und die Prophylaxis des Kindbettfiebers, 1861) and from here he fought for the recognition of his doctrines ("Open letters", 1861, 1862). In Hungary his teaching was fully accepted and on the recommendation of the Faculty of Pest (246/1862. V. 7.) the Hungarian Consilium Locumtenentiale advised its practical realisation all over the country (472/1862. VIII. 28.). In his letter to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Semmelweis points out that his teachings "found full acceptance with us". Some of the surgeons also followed the doctrines of Semmelweis so Balassa in Pest (Regöly-Mérei) as well as Dumreicher in Vienna (Lesky.) As already mentioned Semmelweis was active member of the "Progressive Wing" of doctors assembled round Markusovszky and Balassa. He played a very important and active role in Hungarian medical public life and in the realisation of medical reform endeavours, therefore he is one of the creators of the medical school of Budapest not only for his achievements in Obstetrics but also for the activity in medical public life. He edited the supplement "Gynaecology and Pediatrics" of the "Orvosi Hetilap" 1864 (still existing) published by Markusovszky in 1857, took part in the establishment of the Hungarian Medical Publisher's Society (1864), reorganized the Library of the Medical Faculty (186164), was a member of the Preparatory Committees set up for reforming medical education (1861). Improving public health in Hungary (1864) as well as for organizing itinary congresses of Hungarian Physicians and Natural Scientists (from 1862). He has become immortal. He has been given the name "the saver of mothers". One of the ten statues of the greatest men of medicine shows Semmelweis in the Hall of Immortals of the Chicago International College of Surgeons. Paul Kitaibel's epitaph may be quoted here again: "Gaude Hungária, quae talem tulisti!" One of the most honorable professors of Hungarian obstetrics and gynecology is Vilmos Tauf fer (1851-1934), Hegar's pupil, who under Tauffer's influence wrote a book 1882 on Semmelweis' significance.