Iatrogenic epidemics of puerperal fever in the 18th and 19th centuries.

摘要: The epidemics of puerperal fever in the 18th and 19th centuries began soon after creation Lying-in hospitals mid-18th century. primary purpose these was to provide physicians with training obstetrics general forceps deliveries particular. first reports describing fever, its contagiousness control were made by British latter half Alexander Gordon provided epidemiological evidence contagion 1792, Oliver Wendell Holmes USA reviewed his paper on outbreaks around Boston 1843. Ignaz Semmelweis Vienna, unaware previous work this disease, re-discovered actions required 1847, but published much later 1861. A few enlightened doctors struggled prove that contagious could be spread midwives. Their peers colleagues predominantly displayed apathy ignorance until forced act weight evidence. However, it multitude parturient women who paid ultimate price for iatrogenic epidemics.