07 September 2005

Doncaster´s forgotten medical pioneer

With concern growing about the spread of MRSA in hospitals, new research conducted by Dr Milton Wainwright from the University of Sheffield´s Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology has revealed a Yorkshire connection to the long history of the medical battle against infection.

It was originally believed that Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis was the first to recognise the importance of good hygiene to prevent the cross-contamination of patients, especially during childbirth. However, Dr Wainwright´s research published this month in Microbiologist shows that a Yorkshireman, Dr Robert Storrs, had the idea before Semmelweis, saving the lives of many mothers who may have otherwise have died.

Dr Storrs practised in Sprotbrough, a small village neighbouring Doncaster. He was concerned with the huge number of women who were dying from childbed fever once they had given birth. According to the new research, Storrs realised that he was somehow spreading the disease between his patients and he began to alter his methods, making sure that he wore clean clothes for each patient and that his hands were always clean.

His new methods greatly reduced the number of cases of childbed fever, allowing more and more women to survive childbirth. Although most eminent physicians refuted the idea that they could be helping the spread of disease, Dr Storrs´ findings were reinforced by a number of local doctors throughout South and West Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Although he published his findings Storrs died, ironically from a fever in 1847, before his medical breakthroughs could be recognised. Despite this, his work had a lasting significance. Dr Milton Wainwright said: "Thanks to pioneers like Doncaster´s Dr Storrs we now know that good hygiene is vital and doctors and nurses in particular are encouraged to thoroughly wash their hands to prevent the spread of infection."

Notes for Editors: For further information: Please contact Matt Barker in the press office on 0114 2221046 or email l.bird@sheffield.ac.uk

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