Rejecting Hand-Washing (Extended Version)

As part of our summer hiatus, we’re bringing you an extended version of one of our favourite episodes – the doctor who was fired for washing his hands. 

We originally released this episode in 2023 as a short story. Then this summer, as part of our CBC Radio Summer Series, we reworked and extended the episode – to become a full-length show. 

Reminder we’re back in September resuming our regular season episodes. But for now, enjoy the crazy story of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis.

Did you know in the late 1800s, doctors didn’t wash their hands? When Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis – an obstetrician in Vienna – realized women in his hospital were dying at staggering rates, he implemented staff-wide mandatory hand washing. Maternal death rates dropped by 90%. But doctors weren’t happy. Semmelweis was called "crazy," told his idea was superstitious, not scientific.

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