The medicine in National Socialism: professional opposition efforts

Abstract

Medicine in Germany during the nacionalsocialism period constituted  a social area of intense ethical and existential contradictions. In of the crimes of “lesa humanidad”, perpetrated by physicians obsequious to power and anxious for recognition, in the name of a “science of the race” and of “total war”, there also were attitudes and gestures of an opposition among those who continued –with great personal risk- to stay hold to a humanitary vision of their profession and of its participation in society. This article is a prolongation of the exposition initiated in the tenth issue of Revista Polis, and deals with the actions against crimes of the medical practice under the socialnacionalist rule. It is based on a systematic study of original sources and on recent investigations on the subject in Germany and other countries occupied by the nazi regime during II World War.