Historical mortality rates of puerperal fever Monthly mortality rates for birthgiving women 1841-1849 Puerperal fever 
 mortality rates for birthgiving women at the first clinic at the 
 Vienna General Hospital 
 1841-1849 reported by 
 Semmelweis 
 . He devised and instituted a handwashing policy by mid-May 1847. His employment was terminated March 20, 1849

| Month_ | Births | Deaths | Rate_ | Sort_restore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep | 223 | 41 | 18.4 | 21 |
| Okt | 242 | 71 | 29.3 | 22 |
| Nov | 209 | 48 | 23.0 | 23 |
| Dec | 239 | 75 | 31.4 | 24 |
| Jan | 272 | 52 | 19.1 | 25 |
| Feb | 263 | 42 | 16.0 | 26 |
| Mar | 266 | 33 | 12.4 | 27 |
| Apr | 285 | 34 | 11.9 | 28 |
| Maj | 246 | 15 | 6.1 | 29 |
| Jun | 196 | 8 | 4.1 | 30 |
| Jul | 191 | 1 | 0.5 | 31 |
| Aug | 193 | 3 | 1.6 | 32 |
| Sep | 221 | 5 | 2.3 | 33 |
| Okt | 250 | 44 | 17.6 | 34 |
| Nov | 252 | 18 | 7.1 | 35 |
| Dec | 236 | 19 | 8.1 | 36 |
| Jan | 244 | 37 | 15.2 | 37 |
| Feb | 257 | 29 | 11.3 | 38 |
| Mar | 276 | 47 | 17.0 | 39 |
| Apr | 208 | 36 | 17.3 | 40 |
| Maj | 240 | 14 | 5.8 | 41 |