Martin, M., Karenberg, A. and Fangerau, H. (2016). German neurology and neurologists during the Third Reich: brain research and euthanasia. Nervenarzt, 87. S. S30 - 12. NEW YORK: SPRINGER. ISSN 1433-0407

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Abstract

The connection between systematic killing of the mentally ill and disabled, euphemistically called euthanasia in the National Socialism ideology, and German brain research has been thoroughly investigated and in detail; however, the impact of this criminal nexus on the image and self-perception of German neurologists as well as the status of neurology as a medical discipline is still the subject of controversial debates. Between 1939 and 1945 the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute (KWI) in Berlin along with other research centres were insofar enmeshed in the euthanasia program as brains of killed patients were dissected in the guise of concomitant research in order to generate medical knowledge. Affected were mainly individuals suffering from oligophrenia, early childhood brain atrophy, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. According to current historical research, collegial networks were instrumental in receiving brains of killed patients. Furthermore, civil research units were supplemented by military ones at the KWI. These, too, were concerned with the collection of medical knowledge, for instance on injuries of the brain and spinal cord. The historical approach to consider the Nazi organizations and medicine as resources for each other seems, therefore, at least in part applicable to neurology.

Item Type: Journal Article
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCIDORCID Put Code
Martin, M.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Karenberg, A.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Fangerau, H.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
URN: urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-268087
DOI: 10.1007/s00115-016-0143-8
Journal or Publication Title: Nervenarzt
Volume: 87
Page Range: S. S30 - 12
Date: 2016
Publisher: SPRINGER
Place of Publication: NEW YORK
ISSN: 1433-0407
Language: German
Faculty: Unspecified
Divisions: Unspecified
Subjects: no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:
KeywordsLanguage
HISTORY; HALLERVORDEN,JULIUS; WITNESSMultiple languages
Clinical Neurology; PsychiatryMultiple languages
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/26808

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