Dr Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian physician newly appointed as an obstetrician at a hospital in Vienna, wants to know why so many more women are dying there under the care of doctors than when attended to by midwives. His controversial discovery, which led to his expulsion from the medical establishment and a mental breakdown, is the subject of Dr Semmelweis, a new play opening in London in late June, starring Mark Rylance.
New Scientist spoke with Rylance, writer Stephen Brown and director Tom Morris about the drama, which spotlights the work of this maverick medic.
Topics: