What life-saving connection did Dr semmelweis make by observing the medical practices at his hospital?

Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis observed that the mortality rates from puerperal fever were significantly higher in the maternity ward attended by medical students compared to that of midwives. He hypothesized that the students were transferring infectious agents from cadavers they dissected to new mothers. By implementing a handwashing protocol with chlorinated lime solutions, he dramatically reduced the incidence of the disease, highlighting the importance of hygiene in medical practices. This groundbreaking connection laid the foundation for antiseptic techniques in modern medicine.