Semmelweis, Ignaz Phillip [Hungarian physician (1818–1865)] , born in Buda and educated at the universities of Pest and Vienna. Semmelweis recognized a high rate in puerperal fever and hypothesized that the infection was carried from patient to patient by the physicians. He instituted preventative measures, such as cleansing of the hands with chlorinated lime. He met fierce opposition from his contemporaries and rejection of his theory. He is now considered the pioneer of asepsis in obstetrics.
