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Full-Text Articles in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Puerperal Fever From Hippocrates To Pasteur, Hunter A. Hammill
Puerperal Fever From Hippocrates To Pasteur, Hunter A. Hammill
Houston History of Medicine Lectures
The death of a mother in childbirth leaving a newborn deserted is a sort of a desecration. This was a frequent event for early physicians. It was felt to be caused by miasmas or punishment from the gods. DaVinci felt the cause was milk stasis, Hippocrates - lochia, Virchow - weather. Then came Semmelweis, Pasteur and Lister. They started a battle with ignorance, hospital administration, budget and academic politics. Ending with the murder of Semmelweis!