Abstract

MARTINEZ, Octavio. The offensive of Ignaz Semmelweis against ineluctable miasms and the therapeutic nihilism. Acta Med Colomb [online]. 2014, vol.39, n.1, pp.90-96. ISSN 0120-2448.

Abstract Posterity only recognizes to Semmelweis the introduction of antiseptic hand washing to reduce hospital infection, and accuses him of have been unable to overcome the epistemic difficulties for lifting the prevailing status quo, and is decried for fervently defend his ideas, for his crudeness and awkwardness in the relationships with his colleagues, and the rudeness of his writings. His role focused on developing safe delivery practices, valorative of the life of the mother and in compliance with the ethical imperative for the physician, above all do no harm. The debt owed to Semmelweis is the recognition of his moral height. (Acta Med Colomb 2014; 39: 90-96).

Keywords : Semmelweis; miasma; therapeutic nihilism; primum non nocere.

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