Reference no: EM133603489

Assignment:

It is pretty wild to think that just over 100 years ago, people had no idea that hand-washing was the best way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. In fact, the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, died not because he was assassinated by an anarchist (in fact, the bullet missed any vital organs, and he should have been able to recover) but because his doctor was putting unwashed hands into the bullet entry wound in McKinley's abdomen looking to extract the bullet. As a result of the dirt from the doctor's hands, McKinley contracted an infection, from which he died.

So, who was the first person to figure out that unwashed hands lead to the spread of disease and possible death? Watch this video to find out:

After watching the video, answer the following questions:

1. What would be the best way for Ignaz Semmelweis to prove that it is hand-washing and nothing else that prevents the increased incidence of death among the new mothers?
2. If you were in his place, what would you do to prove that hand-washing saves lives?
3. Is there a surefire way to prove it?