Ignaz Semmelweis (Hungarian Physician)

Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician in the 19th century who is best known for discovering that handwashing drastically reduced infections in hospitals. While working in a maternity ward, he noticed that women were dying from childbed fever, especially when attended by doctors who had not washed their hands. By enforcing hand hygiene among medical staff, he significantly lowered the infection rates. Despite his findings, his ideas were initially rejected by the medical community. Today, Semmelweis is celebrated as a pioneer of antiseptic procedures, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in healthcare to prevent disease.