Neurologie und Neurologen in der NS-Zeit: Das Beispiel der Epilepsieforschung

Abstract

There are only a small number of studies dealing with the impact of eugenic theories and practices on the research of particular neurological diseases during the Third Reich. Thus, this contribution to the special issue on neurology in Germany between 1933 and 1945 focuses exemplarily on epilepsy research. By drawing on primary sources and secondary literature the article tries to reconstruct the scientific discourse of the time and consider the implications for patients. National socialistic ideology was based on eugenic thinking and the implementation of eugenic policies was a major political objective. An immediate effect of this policy was the passing of the Law for the Prevention of Genetically Diseased Offspring (Gesetz zur Verhütung erbkranken Nachwuchses) in 1933. According to this law "hereditary epilepsy" along with various other neurological and psychiatric disorders was regarded as a mandatory indication for forced sterilization. Subsequently, funding of epileptological research was generously increased and extended, e. g. at the German Research Institute (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt) in Munich and the Rheinische Provinzial-Institut in Bonn. The main focus was placed on idiopathic forms of the disease, which were a priori considered as hereditary. At the annual meetings of the Society of German Neurologists and Psychiatrists (Gesellschaft deutscher Neurologen und Psychiater), lectures and debates on epilepsy repeatedly constituted a key topic. Some participants opted for a broad interpretation of "endogeneity" and thus favored an extension of the practice of sterilization but others advocated a more differentiated and restricted attitude. Several neurology researchers showed a penchant for self-mobilization in line with the doctrine of the new government.

Neurologie und Neurologen in der NS-Zeit: Nachwort

“…erscheint als einzige Schlussfolgerung aus der Geschichte der Neurologie im Nationalsozialismus, die in den Aufsätzen des Sonderheftes von Der Nervenarzt [1][2][3][4] …”

German Neurology and the ‘Third Reich'

“…Many medical associations too have vigorously discussed their own role and that of their members between 1933 and 1945 [2] . It was against this background that the authors were commissioned by the German Neurological Society to prepare a summary view of this discipline's role and open up for practicing neurologists the scattered findings of previous research [3][4][5][6] . The intention behind this paper is to document the research done thus far and to make it accessible for an international readership.…”