The Semmelweis story

From Dr. John Campbell · 20:05

Show by Campbellteaching

Real dangers for today. Follow John on Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/c/JohnCampbell2?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkUploaded 04-02-25Ignaz Semmelweis was ridiculed1846, Started Vienna General hospitalPostpartum infection, purpureal fever, childbed fever,bacterial infection of the reproductive tract.Sepsis from infections acquired in a hospital, healthcare-associated infections (nosocomial)Home and street deliveries, low mortality1847, death of Jakob KolletschkaLink between cadaveric contamination and purpureal fever"cadaverous particles"1847, Instigated hand washing, chlorinated lime, calcium hypochlorite,mortality rate in the First Clinic declined 90%April 1847, mortality 18.3%. Hand washing started mid-May 1847June 1847, 2.2% July 1847, 1.2%, August 1847, 1.9%. 1848, 2 months of 0%1849, Semmelweis obliged to leave the obstetrical clinic1850, left Vienna, "unable to endure further frustrations in dealing with the Viennese medical establishment"1851 -1857, unpaid doctor in PestPurpureal fever virtually eliminated, (8 out of 933, = 0.85%)Semmelweis's ideas not accepted by other obstetricians in Budapest1861, Published Aetiology, concept and prophylaxis of childbed fever1865, Committed to asylum by colleagues, beaten up, gangrenous would to hand, died 14 days laterSemmelweis Reflex https://www.thebehavioralscientist.com/glossary/semmelweis-reflexOr the “truth is the first casualty of war” Psychological phenomenon, rejection of new or novel ideasRejection of anything that contradicts established norms, beliefs, paradigms of thought,even if ideas are well-supported by evidence. Semmelweis’s ideas were rejected AND he was ridiculed and ostracized. "Mob behaviour found among primates and larval hominids on undeveloped planets, in which a discovery of important scientific fact is punished". (TL, Harvard)So, people reject new ideas, without considering the evidence in support of themBelief perseveranceCommon barrier to innovation and progressHow to avoid Semmelweis ReflexEliminate compromise, financial, blackmailEliminate vested interestsEliminate dictatorial organisations or individualsControl active suppression of new ideasAccept new ideas that do not make lots of moneyDon’t automatically censor new ideasDon’t able new ideas ad disinformationBe open-mindedCarefully evaluate new ideas on their merits.Avoid conformation bias, favour information that is consistent with prior beliefs.Avoid authority bias,“doctors are gentlemen, and gentlemen’s hands are clean, (Charles Meigs).Avoid belief perseverance,adhere to their initial beliefs despite contradicting evidence.Avoid groupthink,where consensus overrides consideration of alternatives.Eliminate doublethinkEliminate NewspeakDon’t re-write historyCritically evaluate beliefs that are taken for grantedUse guided reflectionAllow new thinking by the elimination of fear of punishmentMore free speech to allow circulation of new ideas,How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?Truth telling, War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength.More system 2 thinkinghttps://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/philosophy/system-1-and-system-2-thinkingSystem 1 is fast, automatic, and intuitive, operating with little to no effort, (make quick decisions and judgments based on patterns and experiences).System 2 is slow, deliberate, and conscious, requiring intentional effort. Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, 1818 - 1865"saviour of mothers" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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