Explain Semmelweis's Reasoning for the Conclusion That the Increased Mortality

question 114

Essay

Explain Semmelweis's reasoning for the conclusion that the increased mortality rates in the First Division were the result of blood poisoning. Be sure to discuss some of his rejected hypotheses.

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Definitions:

Traumatic Amnesia

Memory loss following a traumatic event, where the individual may be unable to recall important personal information or details of the trauma.

Repression

A defense mechanism in psychoanalytic theory where unwanted or distressing thoughts and memories are unconsciously pushed out of conscious awareness.

Anterograde Amnesia

A memory deficit suffered after some kinds of brain damage, in which the patient seems unable to form new explicit memories; however, memories acquired before the injury are spared.

Memory Encoding

The process of converting information into a form that allows it to be stored in the brain.