Joseph Späth

Joseph Späth (1823-96) was Professor of Obstetrics in Vienna and from 1873 until 1886 he was director of the Second Obstetrical Clinic at the Vienna General Hospital. Ignaz Semmelweis regarded him as a principal opponent. By 1864, however, he had adopted Semmelweis's view, and observed that virtually all obstetricians were convinced that Semmelweis was correct, although few admitted it openly.

References

*Frank P. Murphy, "Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818-65): An Annotated Bibliography," Bulletin of the History of Medicine 20(1946), 653-707: 669f. Quoted in cite book | first = Ignaz | last = Semmelweis | coauthors = K. Codell Carter (translator and extensive foreword) | title = Etiology, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever | publisher = University of Wisconsin Press, September 15, 1983 | date = 1861 | isbn = 0299093646 p135 footnote 16