Joseph Späth

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Joseph Späth (1823-96) was Professor of Obstetrics in Vienna and from 1873 until 1886 he was director of the Second Obstetrical Clinic at the Vienna General Hospital. Ignaz Semmelweis regarded him as a principal opponent. By 1864, however, he had adopted Semmelweis's view, and observed that virtually all obstetricians were convinced that Semmelweis was correct, although few admitted it openly.

[edit] References

• Frank P. Murphy, "Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818-65): An Annotated Bibliography," Bulletin of the History of Medicine 20(1946), 653-707: 669f. Quoted in Semmelweis, Ignaz; K. Codell Carter (translator and extensive foreword) (1861). Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever. University of Wisconsin Press, September 15, 1983. ISBN 0299093646.  p135 footnote 16