Death of Medicine in Nazi Germany: Dermatology and Dermatopathology Under the Swastika

I read this book with amazement at the suffering the Jewish doctors, in particular dermatologists. This book is written beautifully, almost like a poem. There is no over-dramatization of what actually happened. The story of these doctors is dramatic in and of itself. No embellisments here, just unadulterated history. An eye-opening, heart-wrenching book.

This is not another book about medical experimentation on Jews during the Holocaust. It is an account of what happened to hundreds of physicians during the Nazi era. As the Nazis "coordinated" medicine, Jewish physicians were dismissed from their clinics and teaching positions and replaced by Nazi supporters whose medical skills were mediocre at best.Weyers focuses on dermatologists because it was traditionally a field of medicine heavily populated by Jews. Weyers is also a dermatologist and dermatopatholgist himself.The displaced dermatologists whose stories are documented by Weyers either went into hiding, committed suicide, or fled from Germany. Their stories are poignant, and the inclusion of postage stamp size photos of them is a very effective touch.Highly recommended for anyone--not just physicians--who is interested in Holocaust studies or medical ethics

The author begins with some background into the origins of antisemitism in germany which serves to frame the topic. He then provides a richly detailed accounting of how the effects of Nazi policies affected many of the most famous dermatologists of the era. He also reveals the apathy of the academic community in germany towards the plight of their jewish colleages.