Ignác Semmelweis was born in Apród Street, at the foot of the Buda Castle, more than 200 years ago. He is mainly known for the discovery of puerperal fever’s cause, and the discovery of the prevention of this disease. The institute bears his name since 1965, and the medical university of Budapest took up his name in 1972 as well, now called the Semmelweis University. His birth house has maintained his oeuvre as the Semmelweis Medical History Museum, Library and Archives – a collection of documents and works of art related to medical science and pharmaceutics. The museum’s permanent exhibition follows the tangible development of medical science, which is by no means confined to the presentation of scalpels and cannulas; and the temporary exhibitions bring some fascinating topics up close – quite literally.
