Assessing Neuropathological Research carried out on Victims of the ‘Euthanasia’ Programme

Abstract

In the 1940s research on mental diseases was limited to a careful clinical examination, including the technique of pneumencephalography – which in the course of the 'euthanasia' programme was sometimes used to kill children by an overdoses of installed air – as well as to necropsy with neuropathological examination of the central nervous system. Necropsy records generally mention 'pneumonia' as cause of death, which is, in effect, often a correct description of the cause of death for patients killed by means of various barbiturate injections over a few days. The entire killing programme was designed to provide the greatest level of secrecy and camouflage the involvement of the government. From approximately 120.000 victims of the 'euthanasia' programme at least 2097 brains were examined by German neuropathologists. At least a total of 170 cases were used in thirty-seven scientific publications. The scientific value of these papers varies quite significantly.

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