Zwei Offene Briefe an Dr. J. Spaeth, Professor Der Geburtshilfe an Der K. K. Josefs-Akademie in Wien, Und an Hofrath Dr. F. W. Scanzoni, Professor Der Geburtshilfe Zu Würzburg

A medical publication written in the early to mid-19th century. The work presents Semmelweis’s arguments against the prevailing theories regarding puerperal fever (childbed fever) and highlights the importance of antiseptic practices in medical settings. The book serves as a passionate critique of the ignorance surrounding the disease and advocates for better understanding and treatment methods to prevent maternal mortality. In this correspondence, Semmelweis addresses two prominent obstetricians, Dr. J. Spaeth and Hofrath Dr. F. W. Scanzoni, directly challenging their views on puerperal fever, which he attributes to the absorption of decayed organic material. He presents evidence from his own clinical experiences in Vienna, demonstrating a significant reduction in maternal deaths through the application of rigorous hand hygiene practices among medical staff. Semmelweis argues that the failure to recognize the true cause of puerperal fever has led to countless unnecessary deaths and calls for the adoption of his life-saving methods, fervently criticizing the existing medical beliefs and practices of his contemporaries.