PUERPERAL FEVER:
THE INDIFFERENCE ABOUT IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS’ HYPOTHESIS BY A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM APPROACH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7443/problemata.v11i1.49330Keywords:
Puerperal fever, Ignaz Semmelweis, Social constructivismAbstract
Around 1840s, Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis proposed a prophylaxis for puerperal fever cases. Working at the Vienna Hospital, he was successful in his proposal; then, he proceeded to explain the cause of the disease. His hypothesis clashed strongly with the medical- scientific knowledge established at the time; nevertheless, it was warmly welcomed by the Vienna Academy of Sciences, which suggested a development of Semmelweis's work. Semmelweis declined of this grant and simultaneously attacked the medical community, which he found guilty of the disease. Finally, his proposal was totally disregarded by the community. The purpose of this article is, starting from the historiography about this episode, to introduce a social constructivist philosophical explanation of the disregard of Semmelweis’ hypothesis.
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