[Pharmacologists in the camps In the Third Reich--part one]

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2013 Oct;35(208):238-41.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The outbreak of World War II is considered as the inception of the pharmacology of the III Reich. Hitler's soldiers are decimated on the front lines by malaria, typhoid, gas gangrene, they need efficient and easy accessible medicines. From now on German forces are engaged into pharmacology of war. Only augmentation of Fuehrer's army effectiveness is reckoned with. Research centers in the concentrations camps are being organized, prisoners are used as the human subject. In the investigations many noted and respected personages are involved. Dr. Helmut Vetter and Dr. Ding Erwing Schuler studied chemicals which may had potential use in the prevention and treatment of typhoid. Professor Eugen Haagen carried out experiments concerning the use of vaccines against typhoid. The latter, although sentenced to life imprisonment, he returned to research in 1952 as a result of the amnesty activities in the former West Germany, and then worked as a researcher. His studies were reflected in the book, and scientific publications. Professor. Eugen Haagen died of natural causes in 1972.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Concentration Camps / history*
  • Germany
  • History, 20th Century
  • Human Experimentation / history*
  • Humans
  • Military Medicine / history*
  • Pharmacology / history*
  • Prisoners / history
  • Typhoid Fever / history
  • Typhoid Fever / prevention & control
  • Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines / history
  • World War II*

Substances

  • Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines

Personal name as subject

  • Helmut Vetter
  • Erwing Ding Schuler
  • Eugen Haagen