Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) was a Hungarian doctor who, during his tenure as an assistant professor at the Obstetrics clinic in the Vienna General Hospital, became interested in learning why so many women were dying from puerperal fever, which was colloquially called childbed fever. … More Ignaz Semmelweis: The Saviour of Mothers
The Story Lord Joseph Lister revolutionized surgery in the late 19th century by introducing antiseptic methods. These drastically reduced the incidence of infection and death, enabling the field of surgery to expand rapidly. In the 1860s, mortality rates for surgeries were at 45-50% due to infection. Rates of infection were especially high in trauma cases, … More Carbolic Steam Sprayer (From the Collection #24)
Jane and John Smith born in Kingston in 1810 and 1812, respectively, had a life expectancy of forty years. Jane and John Jones born in Kingston in 2009 and 2011, respectively, look forward to a life expectancy of eighty years. What accounts for this striking difference? … More History of Health: Why is it important?
Contagious disease has challenged society throughout human history. Quarantine and isolation was practiced in response to the pandemics of bubonic plague and cholera, beginning in the Middle Ages.In the 18th and 19th centuries, smallpox led to smallpox hospitals in some large urban communities. … More A Brief History of Isolation and Infectious Disease
