Women were dying from childbirth at hospitals. This 19th-century doctor figured out why.
Today, we know that washing our hands is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs.
The 19th century has been described by some historians as “ a golden age of the physician and scientist ” because for the first time, doctors were expected to have scientific training.
Enter Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.
Semmelweis immediately ordered the medical staff to start cleaning their hands and instruments before delivering babies.
Over a 150 years later, though, Semmelweis is finally getting the recognition he deserves because the simple act of handwashing is one of the most important tools we have in public health.
Today, the battle to promote this public health tool is still not over.
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