The doctor who proved handwashing saves lives was locked in an asylum for it

In 1847, a doctor at Vienna General Hospital cut the maternity ward death rate from 18% to 2% by requiring handwashing in chlorinated lime solution. The medical establishment repaid him with years of ridicule and eventually committed him to an asylum. — Read the rest The post The doctor who proved handwashing saves lives was locked in an asylum for it appeared first on Boing Boing.