"If you don't wash your hands, then you are murdering those unfortunate women!" Zemlvis called the midwives of his time
in the previous part of the chapter Zemlweiss reached the coveted department management position, from where he could order the changes he wanted. Indeed, Zemlweis wasted no time. When Klein went on vacation, Zemlweis summoned all the members of the medical staff in the department, students and doctors alike, and lectured them about the new department regulations. From that day on, they must wash their hands when they enter the delivery room. This regulation was enough to arouse shouts and grumblings, but as if to further wretch those respectable gentlemen, he forbade them to wash their hands with soap alone. The soap, Zemlweis explained, did not remove the smell of rot from the hands and was therefore ineffective against the particles of rot. Instead of using soap, staff members were ordered to wash their hands upon entering the building, in a bowl filled with calcium hypochlorite, which is a form of weak bleach. And in order to ensure the complete removal of the decay particles, they were also forced to wash their hands with regular soap when they moved from patient to patient.
The medical staff rage and foam, shock and emotion. The students protested with every voice, and the faces of the old doctors were like storm clouds. But Zemlweiss is not quiet on his guard either. Anyone who opposed him had to face the accusations and shouts of the interim department manager. "If you don't wash your hands, then you are murdering those unfortunate women!" Zemlweiss would say mischievous in his voice, and the unruly students would leave the room and dip their hands well in that corrosive bleach. They were not happy with Zemlweiss, and Zemlweiss was not happy with them, but he managed to impose on them the discipline he demanded for the first two months. After that he no longer had to convince the department's people of his righteousness.
Semmelweis received the temporary promotion in the middle of May, in 1847. In that month, the maternal mortality was 12.2%. In June, when hand washing with hypochlorite calcium was already introduced, the mortality rate dropped to 2.4%. The people of the department started to take their hands with increasing willingness. Over the next six months, fewer mothers died in the first ward than in the second ward. The first class regained its lost dignity, and fewer and fewer women died of puerperal fever.
When we read Zemmelweis's book, "The etiology, perception and prevention of puerperal fever" we see how close he was to solving the mystery of the causes of diseases. Two cases that occurred in his department in 1847 came close to undermining his belief in his 'particles of decay', but after deep thought and careful analysis of the cases he was able to draw the correct conclusions and advance his theory.
The first case happened in October, when in one room twelve women were born with puerperal fever, and eleven of them died. The students and doctors in the department swore to Zemmelweis that they soaked their hands in hypochlorite calcium before entering the delivery room, and that they washed their hands with soap between patients. They did not deviate from their testimony even in the face of all the threats and threats of Zemlweiss. Apparently, this fact cast a heavy shadow on Zemmelweis's theory. The whispers began among the members of the medical team that the sharp drop in mortality was a coincidence and nothing else - a discounted divine coin toss. Now, the veteran doctors claimed, they see the other side of the coin. How can Zemlweiss explain the high death rate of that month?
Zemlweiss did not give up. He checked the data of all the obstetricians who were in the same room, and found out that shortly before the obstetrician was diagnosed with puerperal fever, a female obstetrician with uterine cancer was admitted to the same room. That patient's bed was next to the door, so she was always checked first. The cancer caused a severe inflammation in the womb of that mother, and the students who examined her were exposed to the fluid inflamed by their hands. Apparently these were particularly resistant bacteria, as they were able to handle the short soap shock they received after the test. They survived at the hands of the doctors, and when they examined the genitals of the other women, they infected all the girls in the room.
From this case, Zemlweiss came to an important conclusion. The decay particles are not only found in corpses, but are able to pass from living bodies as well. From that day on, he ordered the ward staff to wash their hands with calcium hypochlorite also when passing between patients. The understanding that the causes of diseases can pass from a sick body and multiply inside the healthy body may be one of the most important in human history. Thirty years later, Robert Koch will present it as one of his postulates, and will enter the history books for the first documentation in the world of the way the anthrax bacterium is transmitted.
A month later, the second blow landed on Zemmelweis' head. In November 1847, eleven women in labor died in one room. The evil whispers began again among the staff, and Zemlweiss, filled with awe, examined the case in its details. All obstetricians washed their hands with calcium hypochlorite when passing from one delivery to another. What could have been the cause of such extensive mortality?
Zemlweiss was unwilling to dismiss the power of calcium hypochlorite easily. He was convinced that the origin of the decrease in mortality in recent months was due to the bleach washes. He was sure there was another reason, and went over all the details of the patients as he had done a month before, in the previous tragic case. Finally he discovered that one of the patients in the same room had an acute inflammation of the left knee, and that the rotting knee was spraying an inflamed liquid whose strong smell spread throughout the room. Semmelweis immediately understood what this meant. The decay particles can be emitted from living bodies and reach new hosts through the air!
It is difficult to describe the importance of this distinction to the science of surgery. As described in the next chapter, the science of surgery has faltered due to the inability of doctors to perform effective invasive surgeries into the body. Every operation was accompanied by almost inevitable inflammation. In many hospitals, the order for surgery was like a death sentence. The reason for this was the penetration of bacteria from the air into the wound, side by side with the bacteria on the surgeon's hands and tools. Pasteur also came to the same understanding, and an English doctor named Joseph Lister succeeded, in 1867, in preventing the penetration of bacteria from the air during and after the operation with the help of bandages soaked in carbolic acid. Semmelweis was able to understand all this twenty years before Lister and Pasteur. As early as 1848, Semmelweis also began to sterilize the surgical tools used in his department, and brought about an almost complete extinction of mortality in his department. Beginning in February, less than XNUMX percent of births died each month, and in May and August not a single birth died in the entire first ward. Zemmelweis's few friends urged him to publish the news in the press and at medical conferences, but he steadfastly refused.
Why didn't Zemlweiss agree to make his discovery public? What was the reaction of the medical world to his discovery?
We will deal with this issue in the last part of the chapter, which will be published tomorrow.
19 תגובות
Dear Shaul
It's not nice that you convince me about the religion of La Sage, but let's move on to what's really important
For any reason
. At my meals because many of them, my dear wife, who is apparently of the same religion as certain commenters, added a plate full of green things covered in chlorophylls that delight her, them, surely also from me rumination of various kinds, have mercy on them..
Therefore, the vegetarians of the corps were delighted, and kept the few remaining animals alive so that Cezanne and I could eat them.
There is nothing better than B12 straight from nature.
enjoy your meal!
Sabdarmish Yehuda
And another obvious thing:
All the general conclusions from the article appeared in the article itself.
The only reason Yehuda chose to emphasize and exaggerate one of them was ……………….personal
Saul and Judah:
Good job. You are together for one reason - I oppose the religions of both of you.
There was nothing personal or insulting in my words unless someone chooses to be offended by the truth instead of changing it.
You did not address any of my arguments individually while I addressed all of your arguments.
A last word for you - Judah: Saul encourages you to continue the war on the LeSage religion.
It's simply a way to contribute your brain to science while you're alive. Religion is based on this but you really don't have to.
By the way, Roy,
In order for your worldview to be perfect, you need to be more precise in the essential discussions as well: cheese and chicken together, cannot be accompanied by a 'divine sauce' (...) but only with a pagan sauce or a 'superior man' sauce or a Darwinist sauce or something like that.
Bye
I would like to stop the culinary descriptions here.
In Michael's eyes, they are pointless (...) because of kosher issues..
And in my eyes they are bland (...) because of the vegetables..
(oops, I got confused)
Bye
To Michael
You have gone into insulting and wretched personal streaks. At this moment I stop answering you.
to ask.
Thank you for answering for me what I should have answered. Me, and my knowledge are not the topic we are discussing here, so let's get back to the topic.
To Roy Cezana
I agree with you only in the "feeling" that should be as you say, that is, preparation before any development that will come in science.
Why only in "feeling"?, because it is hard to ignore the example of the "evolutionary" asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs and brought the tiny mammals into the world's air. Who would have believed that dinosaurs, the most developed dominant race, had a problem at all. They had no problem that should even lead to any kind of research on the subject. This is what the late Yuval Na'eman meant in his words in his speech about the randomness that wins, that has the most impact. Everything you said Roy, I told him too, but he was firm in his opinion and was about to write a book about "random order" extreme in his conclusions from the first.
If we try to protect ourselves, can't we be destroyed by some unexpected thing, something like "rat flu", or CO poisoning that will be emitted in huge quantities from some volcano, or, any other delusional idea.
What research can protect us from all the possibilities of our destruction.
And as for the important (culinary) part of your answer, well, about two weeks ago, without knowing about the gourmet week, I invited my dear wife for our wedding anniversary, to a Japanese restaurant in Herzliya that was open and where the sushi flowed down our throats with joy and happiness, and besides that, there were also fried noodles with egg and chicken pieces and in addition noodle soup with egg like Only the Japanese know how to do.
And just a week ago, my young and beautiful wife was enrolled in Ahava College (an affiliate of Ben Gurion University) and there is no more joyful and scientific event than a culinary feast which I held at the popular and my favorite Nafis restaurant, where I ordered the dish dear to my heart/stomach, - leg soup, and if you notice Here, and there, on spots that dirty my response, it's saliva that oozes from me just thinking about my favorite culinary subject.
But I can continue to bury my hands in the plate and Dante and his divine culinary comedy awaken my senses and maybe I will even postpone the diet week that I should have started already a year ago.
So it was fun responding to you.
All the best
Sabdarmish Yehuda
Yehuda,
I agree that many discoveries in science are 'serendipity', and precisely because of this, scientists should not be told what to investigate and what not. From one point in the research it is possible to reach a completely different point, which will support a theory that until now was seen as nonsense. But note that if it weren't for the reliance on the usual research, which produced evidence that 'something is wrong', no one would have accepted this nonsense theory.
That is, in order to achieve breakthroughs, one must first engage in normal research.
As for the gourmet week, it lasts until March 11, so you have another chance to enjoy the best delicacies on sale. I personally celebrated at the 'Dante' restaurant, on risotto with mushrooms, calcione with mozzarella cheese, olive oil, pesto and lots of garlic, chicken scalopini with a seasoning that stimulates the palate, and beef stew in a clay pot, with a divine sauce all around.
recommended!
By the way, Shaul:
According to my perception - actually ignoring Yehuda's words shows a lack of respect.
Of course, a comment that supports them despite their error shows a lack of respect for both him and the other readers.
borrowed:
My words are not harsh and unlike you, I am actually interested in the truth.
Yehuda is wrong and misleading and I think it is important to try to make him understand this, if not to him, then at least to the readers who are interested in the truth.
The mistakes that preceded us were not mental mistakes and ignoring facts.
All my words - those from the field of science and those from the field of facts documented in the discussion are true to the best of my knowledge. The truth is neutral and attributing harshness to it is (literally) pointless.
Are these things spicy?
I don't know what you would call them, but as far as I'm concerned, they are less harsh than your words and much more correct than them.
To Michael,
The honor of the person, and may I add, especially the honor of your fellow Jew is a little more important than the truth of science.
If you had seen what danger was about to grow from the words of dear Yehuda, there would have been room - minimal, admittedly - for your harsh words.
As long as his words are said only to raise the memory of the simple fact that we are all limited in both our knowledge and our ability to know, then his words are desirable and right.
If I were to allow myself to express myself a little harshly, I would say that science is just that historical path that has helped humanity to better itself throughout history. The mistakes in science (the discovery of the X-ray, for example) contributed as much knowledge to us as the calculated insights.
There is neither religion nor holiness here. Just the historical path of accumulating knowledge is full of good intentions, but also lusts and passions.
Continue on your way Yehuda. Even the geologist who claimed that the continents were once connected was sharply criticized at first. I, of course, have no opinion on the matter. I'm always interested in the magic in a theory and not so much if it's right.
Bye
To the tireless Judah:
Zemlweis had a broad education (relative to his time) in the field of medicine.
You have no serious physical education.
Zemlweis had plenty of reasons to support his conclusion.
You do not have.
In fact there is an abundance of facts that disprove the theories you propose.
There was not a single fact that contradicted Zemmelweis's hypothesis before he started the experiment and when he came across facts that seemed contradictory during the experiment, he examined them in depth. The theory you are trying to sell has already encountered a lot of problems and does not at all agree with the reality that is already known to us without an experiment, but you do not even take these problems seriously.
There are indeed some facts that require further examination of the known laws and such an examination is indeed taking place.
The problem, as I see it, is that unlike scientists, you are not looking for the truth. Instead you are looking for a way to convince people of the correctness of a theory that has been disproven only because you invested a lot of ego in it.
To Roy
I will only add an idea brought forward by the late Professor Yuval Na'eman in his book "Seder Man Akraai" in which he claimed that science is full of serendipitous discoveries that he translated into Hebrew with the word "Shaoliot" (King Saul who went looking for Athens and found a kingdom). At Avi Blizovsky's last meeting with him, in which your faithful servant was also present, he explained that in his opinion the situation is even more extreme in terms of the randomness involved and mentioned the (random) asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs and its contribution to evolution was beyond anything else.
So it doesn't seem to me that scientists who only follow "the book" according to a path forged by Dana's advancement, may reach significant results in science.
But we will see what the future holds because I predict that science will advance rapidly in the coming years.
And in addition, I must add and ask you about the most scientific part of your response, are you willing to share with us the details of the culinary evolution of Gourmet Week?
And if so, is it fair to inform us of a gourmet week that has passed?
It's not sociable what you did!
You brought me an appetite and I'm going to eat.
Sabdarmish Yehuda
Hello Judah,
I'm glad you smiled. A smile adds a lot.
I will try to answer some of your comments.
First, the list I gave contains items that are not accepted by science today, therefore black holes, dark mass, etc. are not found in it.
As for aliens, I am far from outright dismissing their existence. I'm convinced they exist, but just don't believe they've visited Earth lately.
As for telekinesis, I was right behind you to see these experiments. Uri Geller did fill halls with interested people, but he failed to provide even a shred of scientific proof, in a controlled scientific experiment, for the correctness of his claims.
Regarding your last question, I believe there are logical problems with your simple universe idea that make it completely untenable in its current form. If you want to get rid of those logical problems, the final solution will be far from representing a 'simple universe'. This is the impression I formed from the conversations held between you and Michael.
I included all these pseudo-scientific beliefs in the list for a very simple reason: according to your definition, they are all equivalent. You say we should instruct scientists to investigate different ideas as well, even if they sound silly. Well, let's also explore the great Spider-Woman. After all, if everything sounds stupid to us, who are we to decide what is less stupid and what is more stupid? After all, any such determination could distance us from the next great discovery.
Please note one important thing. I am not saying that the current system is perfect. she does not. I believe that we do miss certain discoveries because of the unwillingness of scientists to depart from the current line of thought. At the same time, I also cannot see how the method can be improved more than the current state. In short, I see science as a 'free market', where every researcher deals with what interests them, and the ambition of some researchers allows them to break the path - and then everyone else follows them. But among the breakthroughs, many studies based on the existing theory must also come out, and they will provide all the data that will enable, among other things, the proof of the new breakthrough, as well as many applications in everyday life.
Good night,
Roy, after an evening of pleasures of the gourmet week.
To Roy Cezana
I read your thought-provoking comment but also smiled a little, Mr. Cezana.
First of all, I am sure that your reaction is very similar to the reactions that were fed to that poor doctor, Dr. Ignaz Zemmelweis. you dont belive? So let's do an exercise of transformation for your response, and instead of science, insert into your response concepts from the world of medicine, please, below is your medical response:-
Dr. Ignaz Zemmelweis,
Medicine is a profession in which few people deal with extremely limited time. In order to achieve results in their field, those people work from morning to evening, concentrating on the established medical knowledge and its implications. Most of them achieve beautiful results in their work.
People simply do not have time to deal with unusual medical methods, which in many cases have already been disproved in the past. It almost always turns out that the existing medical methods produce better results.,,,,,If we required medical professionals to always allocate their time to deal with such unusual medical ideas, then almost no actual medical work would be done. End quote.
Kind of funny, right?
And don't think, dear Roy Cezana, that I am not aware of the trouble this gives researchers of all kinds. You know how many times people who have heard of my ideas in the realm of the simple universe approach me and present their own ideas to me. And I have to be extremely patient because that's what I demand from others about me.
We must be like those pearl divers of old who would dive and crack open many hundreds of oysters with infinite patience to find here and there the coveted pearl.
But, you too, Roy Cezna, have included in your response something that you may not have considered, and that is: Is there a reason that you are missing from your comprehensive and extensive list details that I would have included for example: parallel universes, black holes, dark mass, wormholes, singular points, the cosmological principle and a few more Physical "creatures"? Is it just out of forgetfulness or maybe you have a selection for original ideas?
For example, I would not put the Hammond theory on the list, even though I am not a follower of it.
In addition, I would not rule out the existence of aliens outright.
Telekinesis?, I would run to see experiments on this topic.
Uri Geller knew how to fill halls full of interested people.
And besides, with my hand on my heart, I have to ask you a question, Roy,
Do you really think that my belief and the belief of many others in the idea of "pushing gravity" and even, my belief in the idea of my simple universe, are equivalent to the belief of the members of the Hopi tribe from South America, according to which the origin of human beings is from the great spider woman?
That's how ridiculous the ideas are, or did you just say that?
Have a good evening
Sabdarmish Yehuda
The doctor - kills and revives.
His mistakes are a danger, his success is a gift
Yehuda,
Science is a profession in which few people deal with extremely limited time. In order to achieve results in their field, those people work from morning to night concentrating on the existing theories and their implications. Most of them achieve beautiful results in their work.
People simply don't have time to deal with 'extreme' theories, which in many cases have already been disproved in the past. It almost always turns out that the existing theories produce better results.
I believe that the 'extremist theories' will appear to a large extent in our time, because they are the ones that jump scientific understanding at once. At the same time, for every extreme theory that succeeds, there are hundreds that don't really exist. If we required scientists to always allocate their time to deal with such 'extreme' ideas, then almost no real scientific work would be done.
Extreme theories for example, which science will have to spend a lot of time on according to your criteria:
Intelligent health
MOND theory
aliens
Supernatural beings
Communicate with supernatural beings
Aliens who heal humans
Aliens who heal humans by communicating with supernatural beings
Numerology
Scientology
Reincarnation
telepathy
Telekinesis
Polar bears sing and dance
The belief of the members of the Hopi tribe from South America, according to which the origin of human beings is from the great spider woman
And so on and so forth.
Usually, when an idea is sufficiently established on its own, a number of scientists arrive who are willing to address it, and from there it spreads further within a few years. I agree with you that ideas are a great thing, but you can't force scientists to always take them seriously, when many of them look like the ones I wrote above.
The conclusion from reading the things must be: - In no case, ideas should not be dismissed outright, even if they are insulting, and even if they seem nonsensical.
It is not only in medicine, it must be in every field, from art to science.
Why didn't he want to publish it immediately? After all, he would have saved more poor women? Was he afraid of the scorn of the medical scientists at the time?
Waiting for the third part of the article.
Sabdarmish Yehuda