EVEN in the triumph of medicine in the modern age, the importance of personal hygiene has not decreased. A survey conducted last year in Karachi was reported in Dawn (Sept 27). It was found that just washing the hands with soap and water decreased the incidence of diarrhoea in children by 52 per cent, pneumonia by 48 per cent and skin diseases by 35 per cent.

Semmelweiss, a Hungarian obstetrician, found 160 years ago that mothers who came for childbirth mostly died soon after delivery. He noticed that those doctors who conducted the deliveries first went to perform post-mortem autopsies and immediately came to the labour room. In those days, there was no conception of asepsis or antisepsis.

He advised all doctors to first wash their hands thoroughly and then perform the delivery. This simple act of hygiene dramatically reduced the puerperal mortality and saved the lives of many mothers after childbirth. He has been described as one of the greatest medical benefactors to humanity.

DR. G. HYDER ALIDINA