The following is an encore presentation of everything everywhere daily.

In the mid-19th century, a Hungarian physician advocated for an incredibly simple technique which would go on to save millions of lives.

However, when he first proposed it, his idea wasn't just ignored.

It was vehemently rejected by the very people who could have used it to save lives.

Not only was the idea rejected, but he was ridiculed to a point that might have led to his early death.

Learn more about Ignis Semois and how no good deed goes unpunished

on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Ighis

Semmelwise was born in 18 in the town of Buddhaa Hungary, which today is part of the city of Budapest.

His family was ethnically German, and his father was a well-off businessman.

As a young man he attended the University of Vienna, intended to study law, but after a year switched to medicine.

He received his medical degree in 1844 with an intent to specialize in internal medicine.

However, he was rejected at the clinic where he wanted a position and instead took a position at the obstetrical clinic at the Vienna General Hospital in 1846.

Before I go any further, I need to explain the state of medicine at this point in history.

The mid-19th century didn't have anything close to what we would consider modern medicine.

The germ theory of infection still didn't exist and many medical professionals still

believed in things like myasmas and humors and would prescribe things like bloodletting

to patients. Also at this time the mortality rate for women in childbirth was significantly higher than what it is today.

The primary cause of death was something called purerperal fever, also known as childbed fever.

It was a disease that would strike women within days ago. also known as child bed fever.

It was a disease that would strike women within days of giving birth

and would often lead to raging fevers,

putrid pus admitting from the birth canal,

...