Antall József szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 55-56. (Budapest, 1970)
SZEMLE KÖNYVEKRŐL - Gy. Gortvay — I. Zoltán: Semmelweis — His Life and Work (R. Harkó Viola)
SZEMLE Könyvekről Gy. Gortvay—I. Zoltán : Semmelweis— His Life and Work. Transi, by É. Róna. EJ, Akadémiai, Budapest 1968. 288 p. The Board of the Federation of the Hungarian Medical Societies published the Semmelweis biography of Gy. Gortvay and I. Zoltán in English to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Semmelweis. This English edition is a translation of the original Hungarian version, which appeared in 1966, but enriched with the latest results and additions of research both at home and abroad. These range from minor editorial changes to very interesting supplementary informations, which came to light after the edition of the first Hungarian version. This biography of the Hungarian obstetrician gives not only a detailed account of his life and scientific career, but in addition a broad historical background too. One of the most interesting chapters is the approaching of the Semmelweis discovery. Authors are disclosing the evidence of priority of the Semmelweis doctrine: he discovered alone the real cause of puerperal fever and made effective measures to defeat it. The last years and months of Semmelweis life are truly reconstructed and authors are able to state that, expecting the few weeks before his death, he was perfectly normal. Each chapter is followed by copious notes and commentaries providing information, facts and data. In the Appendix can be found a chronological list of events in the life of Semmelweis and short biographies of principal scientists mentioned in the book. This biography is revealing not only of Semmelweis personality but makes it clear also that Semmelweis and his life-work are belonging to the Hungarians. The numerous illustrations are well chosen. The publisher has produced a format appropriate to the content. The text is well reproduced on a paper of good quality and the binding is handsome. Dr. I. Zoltán has done a service to medical history by making this book available in a new, English edition. Viola R. Harkó
