The Cry and the Covenant

by Morton Thompson

Historical fiction. Based on the life of Ignaz Semmelweis, an Austrian-Hungarian physician known for his research into puerperal fever and his advances in medical hygiene. In the novel he struggles to prove to his fellow doctors that if they would only wash their hands, they would save the lives of many mothers. Semmelweis saw a link between hand washing and disease before the discovery of germs. His discovery was ignored by his colleagues to the detriment of their patients.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medicine, Classics, Health

707 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1949

Reviews

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

****1/2

In 1847 a sharp Hungarian doctor by the name of Ignaz Semmelweis made a brilliant discovery. He found if doctors just washed their hands in chlorine solution, the death rate for Puerperal fever (which is caused by sepsis) could be brought down to less the 1%. Considering that the rate before this was a whopping 35%, this was a huge life saving discovery. The great unsettling mystery though, is why did the whole medical community ignore him? Didn’t doctors want to save lives? Were the lives of women just not important to them?

The Cry and the Covent is a fictional biography of Semmelweis’s life. Written back in 1949, it has an old feel to it. Most of the dialogue and action reminded me of old black and white movies. I especially thought this in the relationship between Semmelweis and his wife and the way they meet. In fact, I was so filled with the thought of old films, I got it into my head that Semmelweis looked just like Dirk Bogarde from the film Doctor in the House, and I couldn’t get rid of it, even though the real Semmelweis looked nothing like him. I think of the fifties being a gentler time, certainly more idealistic and this book certainly portrays that.

This book has another side though, a grim, grittiness about hospitals in the early eighteen hundreds that made my skin crawl. To think that doctors used to wipe blood and pus on their coat lapels to show how ‘experienced’ they were, or that they would go straight from dissecting cadavers to delivering babies without washing their hands is disgusting. Nobody changed the sheets in those days, so upon checking into the hospital you could expect a filthy bed with wet stains on it. If some of the home scenes came across as homespun and a bit sappy, the hospital scenes never did.

Thompson was a doctor and he did an excellent job of showing how nerve wracking it must be to study medicine. I felt the repulsion of cutting into a dead body for the first time. I experienced the terror of having a new patient and giving the wrong diagnosis. I felt the heartbreak of staying up all night trying to save someone’s life only to have them die. And I felt the excitement of coming on a great discovery. The way Semmelweis found out about how to eliminate sepsis when there wasn’t even a shred of proof of the existence of germs is quite fascinating. This book had some powerful moments.

So why did I give it only four 1/2 stars? I think a lot of it for me goes back to the mystery I mentioned above. I don’t think this book delves deep enough. I know doctors were probably loathe to change and hated to admit they were killing patients, but that can’t be just it. Semmelweis was treated like a pariah. They practically ruined him. I can’t help but think he must have been much more unlikable then he’s portrayed in this book. Yes the book addresses the prejudice the Austrians had for him since he was Hungarian and of lowly birth. And yes, the book addresses how uncomfortable Semmelweis was at writing about his own discovery, which I’m sure hurt him. But I felt like Thompson sort of glossed over those issues. I think one of the main problems was that Semmelweis showed proof that hand washing worked, but he couldn’t explain why it worked.


It fascinates me how some medical discoveries, like for instance ‘the lobotomy,' were immediately accepted and traveled around the world like wildfire. Yet a simple procedure like washing your hands was almost completely ignored. What makes a new innovation come into being and what represses it? I still can’t help but wonder if a pharmaceutical company discovered the cure for cancer, would they ever release it to the world? They’d lose so much money.

Anyway, this was a thought provoking book for me.

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although goodreads indicates that "The Cry and the Covenant" was published in 1955, it was first published in 1949. As a teenager, more than six decades ago, I read it and have reread it many times since. It has been my passion to see it become a major film in that it would not only be a compelling and audience capturing potential masterpiece, but it would serve to alert the public to be always on guard to demand that medical professionals ALWAYS employ antiseptic procedures prior to examining patients, you and your family and friends, in any hospital or medical clinic.

In the middle of the 19th century, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian obstetrician, theorized that thousands of women giving birth were ultimately dying in hospitals all over the world from puerperal (childbed) fever because doctors and midwives DID NOT WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE EXAMINING WOMEN IN LABOR! He proved in meticulous studies that if the hand washing was done, mortality rates from this disease would drop to near zero. However, since there was no realization among medical professionals that disease was caused by germs, almost all of them believed that disease was caused by unknown influences such as atmospheric "miasmas." Semmelweis was almost totally ignored while puerperal fever remained a huge epidemic problem internationally. He began to accuse doctors who ignored his findings and refused to use antiseptic procedures of being "murderers." His life ended tragically in an asylum where he was taken by his family and friends.

Today, in the United States alone, almost 100,000 patients die annually from nosocomial infections, those contracted in hospitals and clinics due to a lack of proper antiseptic procedures being implemented. Several public interest health organizations are encouraging citizens to contact their state legislators so that they may pass legislation requiring hospitals to publicly report infection and mortality rates from these infections. In states where such legislation has passed, mortality rates from these infections have dropped significantly.

My efforts to influence someone in the film industry to produce a film of this courageous doctor's life have been a total failure. I hope that in the future, such a film will be produced, even though I may not live to see it. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Orsolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

At any given time a day, a woman is giving birth to a baby. Although this is a dangerous endeavor; it is much safer than it was throughout history when almost half of all mothers died from ‘childbed fever’ (puerperal fever). There is a man to thank; who fought for the simple advancement of washing hands when assisting births to prevent this life-threatening infection: Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis. Morton Thompson highlights the doctor’s life in the historical fiction novel, “The Cry and the Covenant”.

There is a very special nature of “The Cry and the Covenant” which is extremely difficult to describe but is purely magical. The text instantly throws the reader into the story in the strain of a classical novel and yet is unique and all its own. “The Cry and the Covenant” mixes a historical fiction novel, medical history, and vivid imagery akin to an old comedic film (a la Buster Keaton). It isn’t long before the reader laughs out loud while the next second cringes from gore and then proceeds to learn scientific information. Basically, one will experience a plethora of emotions.

With that being said, Thompson’s writing style isn’t for everyone and is perceived as either “love it or hate it”. Give it a chance though, as one quickly gets used to it at which point the plot, pace, and excitement carries the reader quickly away.

Thompson’s portrayal of Semmelweis may be one of the best characterizations in literature. That is a lofty statement but even with “The Cry and the Covenant” being narrated by an omnipresent voice; Semmelweis comes alive on multiple levels. It isn’t often that a reader feels so connected to a character that it is forgotten that he isn’t real. The reader will be bursting with an urge to jump into the book and hug Semmelweis during his high moments and to comfort him during his lows. To this end, “The Cry and the Covenant” feels like a memoir versus a HF novel due to its vividness.

Thompson’s research and passion on both Semmelweis and the medical field is abundantly clear. So many detailed facts are presented that again; “The Cry and the Covenant” feels like a 100% true story. Thompson obviously put a lot of heart into the tale with more history than fiction but with a fast beating narrative.

The plot of “The Cry and the Covenant” is intertwined with deeper explorations in philosophy, psychology, education, politics, and morality to name a few; adding several layers and nuances to the text. Further satisfying is Thompson’s understanding of Hungarians and their culture. As a Hungarian, I am critical of authors portraying my people but Thompson is accurate and relatable without being stereotypical.

Naturally, “The Cry and the Covenant” contains raw medical material which may be offensive to soft readers. However, it is reminded that this is the subject matter of the novel and is to be expected.

The climax of the novel is victorious, strong, and addicts the reader to the book. It is unimaginable to not continue reading and want to know what happens next. Calling “The Cry and the Covenant” a “page-turner” is taking it lightly. Yet, it is almost tempting to take breaks so that the delicious story doesn’t end too quickly. Even after the climax, “The Cry and the Covenant” is still fast-paced and not predictable. Semmelweis continues to be a loveable character drawing the reader in more and more as the story progresses.

The only prevalent flaw in the novel comes in the final chapters which are rushed and not as natural as the rest of the story; especially concerning a new love interest in the plot. The text is still ‘real’ but not as organic (these are two different things). On the other hand, Thompson displays genius in these chapters by subtly showing the deterioration of Semmelweis’s mental state versus over dramatizing it or pushing it onto the reader. This is fine-tuned and well-crafted.

The conclusion is memorable and sharp with emotion; summing up “The Cry and the Covenant” in a strong way. Thompson follows this with an epilogue explaining the aftermath of Semmelweis’s death.

“The Cry and the Covenant” is simply remarkable: an excellent HF novel which captures classic literature but with modern, accessible prose. The text is not limited to only those interested in medical fields (or Eastern Europe) and is downright wonderful. “The Cry and the Covenant” is recommended for everyone who loves HF.

Sidenote: Many have said this book should be made into a biopic. I agree whole-heartedly. It would be Oscar worthy…

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in graduate school (biochemistry) many moons ago. It was very well-written and researched. Very, very enlightening. A medical breakthrough, but Dr. Semmelweiss was at first laughed at by his colleagues. Thank G-d he finally got them to simply wash their hands! Just as importantly today---WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

[Josefina Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Türkçe olarak ''Mukaddes Istırap'' adıyla Türkiye Yayınevinden 1957 olan baskısından okudum. Sahaflardan bulabilirsiniz mutlaka ilk okuduğum Macar yazarı.Harika bir eser.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Moving, thought provoking, one of the very best books (as far as touching me emotionally and making me ponder) I've ever read. An incredible historical fiction on the life of Semmelweis who fought endlessly to save women from child-bed fever that is an absolute must read for EVERYONE, particularly all women. The kind of book that will change your life and perspective.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CRY AND THE COVENANT is a very old book, published in 1949. It is the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, a brilliant young intern whose thinking was far ahead of the medical community of his time. In a Viennese hospital he made the shocking discovery that thousands of women were dying of childbirth because of unhygienic methods used by the physicians who attended them. Ridiculed and ignored by his peers, Semmelweis eventually gave his own life to save mothers and the children they bore. His discoveries and theories were later lauded by other pioneers in the arena of medical advancement.

Great medical reading!

May have difficulty finding a copy. My family may borrow my read and re-read, masking-taped paperback copy!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For decades I had meant to read this, but last week by chance found it browsing in the public library for something else. It was the hard-to-find hardbound 1949 edition. It's my practice not to give five stars to serious fiction (humor is eligible) until I've read the book twice, but this being fictionalized biography I count it as non-fiction. The main events, except for one near the end of the main character's life, fit perfectly with the outstanding wiki entry on Ignaz Semmelweis.

This is a moving book about a true hero of medical science, not "just" one field of that. It's a tragedy, though I can't decide what the requisite "tragic flaw" in the man was. Perhaps it was his inability to tolerate, with sound mind, decades of betrayal and scorn from the medical establishment of his day knowing that their rejection of his simple innovations was killing women and children by the thousands across Europe.

It took only a day to read the book, so gripping is the story, so inspiring.

Vachel Lindsey wrote "The Eagle that is Forgotten," about John Peter Altgeld, Governor of Illinois. Today, after his death in an insane asylum and unremarked burial, Semmelweis is much more famous than Altgeld and made far more sacrifice for the truth than the great Governor. Still, try these last lines of the poem for size.

Sleep softly ... eagle forgotten... under the stone.
Time has its way with you there, and the clay has its own.
Sleep on, O brave-hearted, O wise man that kindled the flame --
To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name,
To live in mankind, far, far more than ... to live in a name

[Michelle O'flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book at least 5 times over the course of quite a few decades and have always been enthralled in the experience. It is such a shame that Ignaz Semmelweis is not better known in average households as a true hero and advocate and life-saver. Morton Thompson created an intimate insight into the main character that makes one feel that he must have surely known this doctor. The reader feels a sense of outrage at the injustice dealt to this man and shares his frustration at those who would oppose his simple life-saving techniques.

[Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! It is the story of Ignaz Semmelweis, the man who discovered that hand-washing prevented the spread of disease in hospitals. It was amazing and appalling to read some of the ideas the medical community held during this time (the 1800's). But the book was not just about medicine, in fact that was really a small part. It is a novel that tells the story of a man with a passion and a determination to match it. It also illustrates the unfair politics that affect the progress of ideas. The story is heartbreaking. It gives me a more profound respect for the men and women who endured wrenching opposition in order to pave the way for modern medical discoveries. I loved it and recommend it to everyone!

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the life of Ignaz Semmelweis, an 19th century Hungarian obstetrician. He was appalled at the number of mothers who died of "childbed fever". He discovered the simple remedy of handwashing. Convincing the medical world was his biggest obstacle.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all time. I've read it 4-5 times. Unfortunately is it out of print, but can be found in used book stores. It has everything that I like, passion, courage, a heroic character, and is great historical fiction.

[Maryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child I learned about Ignas Philipp Semmelweis through Readers Digest books. I became fascinated then that something as simple as hand washing to prevent childbed deaths would be so opposed by the medical establishment in Hungary in the mid 1800s. This book delves into his childhood, passions and the terrible price he paid to be a passionate pioneer. It does humble one to realize how institutional power can impede progress then and now. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in the history of medicine and the cost of unwanted innovation.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend (who is taking over my book club here when we move this week) stopped by and dropped off this out-of-print 1949 book about Ignaz Semmelweis, who discovered the cause of childbed fever. She warned me that it was a little gory (with childbirth and other medical details) but incredible. I found this book fascinating, as Semmelweis discovers that washing and disinfecting hands cut down drastically on the mother and infant mortality rates in the lying-in hospitals. The doctors and students routinely went from practicing childbirth on cadavers, to wiping their hands on their coats (the blood stains were their badge of honor), to delivering babies. His "doctrine" of disinfecting was never widely received in his lifetime, and he was repeatedly "punished" for trying to change how things were. Incredible look at a man who wouldn't give up but tried to save the lives of thousands of women, and his superiors who mocked him for (and felt threatened by) his discovery. Lyrad is finishing up his one-year OB fellowship here in Texas and says that there are still opinionated doctors who want things done "their way" and fight any change to the status quo.

"Henceforth, Dr. Semmelweis, you will regard puerperal fever as an ailment traceable to milk. You will regard it as an aliment for which no human mind has ever found a remedy. No remedy ever will be found. You will accustom yourself to the unhappy incidence and the consequent fatalities of this disease as one of the normal expressions of living and of giving birth, and you will behave toward it as a doctor is expected to react to the inevitable occurrences of life and of death." -- pg. 170

There will always be doctors like Klein. I don't think the Kleins of the world are in the majority. But while other doctors are healing people, the Kleins are making a secure position for themselves. They don't use medicine to do this. They use the protection of medicine and the politics of medicine. And because of the way medical liberals split up among themselves, it's the Kleins who really run the universities and the hospitals. -- pg. 252

"Do you know," said Arneth slowly, "it's true of your discovery as it has been of every discovery in the whole history of medicine. When we take our medical oath we undertake to lengthen life and ease suffering. We are all united in seeking new means. And every time a man has come forward with a demonstrable truth, a remedy for good, the profession seems to have done its best to crush the discoverer and hide the discovery. No quackery — no criminality — nothing seems to make us so furious as a discovery." -- pg. 301

For a great summary/commentary on this book: http://www.doyletics.com/arj/tcatcrvw...

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank heavens for this man. Discovering the germ theory and then giving his life and going insane trying to get people to listen. Every healthy child born owes this man a debt of gratitude. I was apalled at the arrogance in the medical field thinking they were above hand washing and choosing to let innocent babies die... "let me give birth in the street" I can't imagine the nightmare.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read it was in a Readers Digest Condensed version--many decades ago. Now, reading the real book . . . well, it's a good read; many more details. It's sad.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Ignaz Semmelweis discovered that washing thoroughly, both hands and instruments, before examining women in labour would greatly reduce, if not eliminate childbed fever, you would have thought he would be hailed as a hero. Well, a sane person would think that, anyhow.

Instead, Semmelweis was regarded as "The Pesth Fool" for providing common-sense, basic refutation to the entrenched belief that puerperal fever was caused by pregnancy, low morale, miasma, and at least 30 other ridiculous theories. His failure was so abject that to this day there is a name for it. It's called the "Semmelweis reflex" — human behaviour characterized by reflex-like rejection of new knowledge because it contradicts entrenched norms, beliefs or paradigms.

Semmelweis didn't help himself. He had a horrible temper and didn't communicate his theories terribly well (apparently). He did have champions who wrote on his behalf, however, and who tried to help him understand that he was being his own worst enemy by using violent outbursts where a bit of patience and politicking was more appropriate.

The Cry and the Covenant is a novelization of Semmelweis's childhood, his years in the medical profession and his private life, ending with his death in 1865. It took 25 years beyond that for his practical work to become standard practice; at least now his descendants are able to see the hospitals and museums that are named for him and the procedures in use in medical care that can be traced directly back to his exhaustive research.

The Cry and the Covenant was released in 1949. It is a bit dated in its style of writing. The prose becomes very purple indeed in some places. The story itself, however, cannot be faulted, because the drama was all there in real life, and only needed to be placed on the page, with not a great deal of artistic license in order to make it fascinating. I'd love to say that thanks to Semmelweis's work, nobody *ever* dies in a medical setting due to bacterial infection, but I can't. The days of women checking into a "modern" hospital, as Vienna's Lying-In Hospital was at the time, and having worse than a 50-50 chance of making it out alive with their newborns is at last behind us; it's just a shame that the man who made it possible didn't get a chance to see that in his own lifetime.

[Haris bin Faiez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This is truly one of the all-time great works of journalistic fiction.

I took away half a star because of the author's literary skills. Thompson is garrulous, particularly in the first 50 or so pages. Repetition and redundancy continue to mar the text, not ceasing till the last few pages. Don't let that discourage you like it did me. I had to rally for a second attempt.

At the time that Dr. Joseph Skoda is transferred to a lunatic asylum (pg. 46), it should first start to become manifestly evident that you have found a gold-mine of world literature. By the end, you may earnestly be thanking God for having been graced with the good fortune to have encountered this work.

Were it not for The Source by James Michener, and A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett, I would pronounce that, in its meaningfulness, poignancy and universal utility, this novel surpassed every other work of fiction I have read.

Only, it's a fictionalized biography. And the characters and events are not imagined, just faithfully documented.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get used to the writing style, but once I did, The Cry and the Covenant became an incredibly enjoyable read. I believe it should be required reading for every doctor and pre-med student. The novel is historically accurate as far as I can tell and taught me a great deal about the life of Dr. Semmelweis and the political and historical context of the medical profession in the 19th century. All mothers owe Semmelweis a great debt for his relentless efforts to persuade the medical community of the importance of simple hand-washing at a time when such a thing seemed preposterous.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read during my impressionable years and was very taken with this story. Have always loved reading about medical topics and have tried to use correct terminology ever since. I had a career as a medical transcriptionist, which I think I was pretty good at because of my love of many things medical.

I appreciate reading the other comments about this book and agree that it would make a great movie.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own a first edition copy of this book and have read it several times. The first time I thought it was quite extraordinary, but then I learned that Dr. Ignaz Semelweis was a real person. The horrors of medicine in the mid 1800's is illuminated and inspire the reader to wash hands and prevent the spread of disease.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if it was the best idea of mine to read a book about childbirth. However, I am grateful for Semmelweis and all he did to help women not die needlessly in childbirth. A sad tale, but a great read.

[Kathy Kleponis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book as a nursing student many years ago. It was amazing what I didn't remember. How unfortunate that it took so long for Semmelwies to be recognized for his ultimately life-saving discovery and how ironic that he died of sepsis.

[Madelyn Miley Passmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in tears of gratitude for Ignaz Semmelweis. I felt like he had saved my life, which he quite literally has. This is the story of the doctor who brought maternal deaths down from 18% to 2% in his hospital by initiating a simple hand washing regimen. Doctors at this time would often go from dissecting corpses to delivering babies without even rinsing their hands or instruments. During epidemics of child bed fever the death rate would sometimes soar into the 90s. They didn’t even bother to keep track of the infant mortality rate, it was too high. I am so grateful that I was able to safely have a healthy baby and that I didn’t go into the hospital afraid for my life like so many women in the past.
The shocking reoccurring theme in the book was pride and rejection. Despite scrupulous documentation of years of experimentation, Ignaz was known as the fool of Budapest and his hand washing was consistently rejected. It reminded me of Naaman refusing to wash in the river because it was too simple to possibly cure his leprosy. I hope to not allow pride to blind me in my life and to keep me from progressing.

[Muriel Fevold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time when I was attending Nursing school, and 40 years later I searched for it, again ! I could not remember the title, but eventually found it! It is very disturbing, but a wonderful depiction of medical care prior to the knowledge that bacteria and germs were being spread from person to person, especially in obstetric hospitals! There was a much greater death rate of new mothers cared for in hospitals than those who delivered in their homes! Women and babies were dying in hoards! One doctor figured it out, they just needed to wash their hands in an antibacterial soap between patients! Nobody would believe him and he was ostracized for his ideas. I highly recommend this book for those who like historical novels!

[Alh]

super book about the necessity for washing hands and cleanliness when doctors delivered babies back in the 1800s Dr Semmilweiss was the voice crying in the wilderness about this need but the 'better doctors' didn't agree with him. just like in the world today. the 'better, politically correct doctors' know better than the practical doctors who care for patients. this political situation about the use of hydroxichloroquine prompted me to re read this book. some things never change. the ''upper echelon, politically correct' group of doctors 'know it all'.

I highly recommend reading it.

[Katie Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read for this true story. Maddening to hear how Semmelweis s was never accepted. Frustrating ,that his theories were never put into practice after giving his life toward antisepsis!
A little annoyed with the author's explanation or maybe the opposing doctors' opinions on child bed fever. They never ,not once ,asked these doctors to explain or prove their exotic theories, but continually denounced Ignaz Phillippe's! Still love the book and the story never fails to astound the reader. Great ending.

[Dana Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today, the Google Doodle was Ignaz Semmelweis as handwashing is so important with COVID19. I saw that name and immediately knew who he was because of reading THIS book in high school- circa 1975. My friend, Elmasue Hutchins recommended it to me and I LOVED it. Not sure how it would hold up now, but it surely left an impression on me.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, unforgettable story. Glad I pushed through and finished it.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, but it was hard to finish because his life was so discouraging!