F Söhner1,2, M V Cranach3, H Fangerau4, T Becker5. 1. Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II der Universität Ulm, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Ludwig-Heilmeyer-Str.2, 89312, Günzburg, Deutschland. Felicitas.soehner@uni-ulm.de. 2. Institut für Geschichte, Theorie und Ethik der Medizin, Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland. Felicitas.soehner@uni-ulm.de. 3. Hochschule für Angewandte Sozialwissenschaften München, München, Deutschland. 4. Institut für Geschichte, Theorie und Ethik der Medizin, Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland. 5. Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie II der Universität Ulm, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Ludwig-Heilmeyer-Str.2, 89312, Günzburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Bavarian psychiatric hospitals approximately 15,000 people with mental handicaps and mental illnesses were killed after the so-called Action T4. The Heil- und Pflegeanstalt (psychiatric hospital) Günzburg was a so-called Zwischenanstalt (interim institution). The aim of the study was to analyze its role in carrying out "regionalized euthanasia". METHODS: Based on defined criteria the patient records of deceased patients at the Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital between July 1941 and December 1943 were analyzed to establish whether criteria for "regionalized euthanasia" were fulfilled. RESULTS: During the study period 45 patients at the Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital probably died following actions by direct or indirect intention to kill using malnutrition, neglect, medication overdose or a combination of these actions. CONCLUSION: The Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital was involved in "regionalized euthanasia".
BACKGROUND: In Bavarian psychiatric hospitals approximately 15,000 people with mental handicaps and mental illnesses were killed after the so-called Action T4. The Heil- und Pflegeanstalt (psychiatric hospital) Günzburg was a so-called Zwischenanstalt (interim institution). The aim of the study was to analyze its role in carrying out "regionalized euthanasia". METHODS: Based on defined criteria the patient records of deceased patients at the Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital between July 1941 and December 1943 were analyzed to establish whether criteria for "regionalized euthanasia" were fulfilled. RESULTS: During the study period 45 patients at the Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital probably died following actions by direct or indirect intention to kill using malnutrition, neglect, medication overdose or a combination of these actions. CONCLUSION: The Günzburg Psychiatric Hospital was involved in "regionalized euthanasia".
Entities:
Keywords:
Action T4; Euthanasia; Günzburg; Interim institution; National Socialism