_Contents_
Report. (2d copy)
2 and 3 Phosgene experiments Ruehl
4 and 5 T-experiments Letz
6 Aerosol experiment Letz
7 Natzweiler (3d copy)
6. 1st copy
7. 1st copy
* * * * *
Top Secret
3 copies—3d copy
To the
Fuehrer’s Plenipotentiary General
for Health and Medical Services,
Surgeon-General Professor Dr. Brandt,
Berlin Ziegelstrasse 5/9
Surgical Clinic at the University
_7th Report_
On the protective effect of hexamethylentetramine in phosgene poisoning.
Experiments were carried out on 40 prisoners on the prophylactic effect
of hexamethylentetramine in cases of phosgene poisoning. Twelve of those
were protected orally, twenty intravenously, and eight were used as
controls.
_The method_
The chamber has a capacity of 20 cbm. In experiments I to XIV the
chamber was given a coat of paint which had a strong deteriorating
effect on phosgene. This decrease in concentration was measured after
experiment XI; the curves are shown on chart I [not reproduced].
The greatest decrease measured was taken as basis for the calculations
of the average concentration for experiments I to XI. In experiments XII
to XV, the initial concentration and its decrease were measured
separately in each case. In the tables II and III, c_{o} stands for the
quantity of phosgene infused into the chamber in mg/cbm, c_{m} for the
calculated average concentration, _t_ for the time of reaction. c_{m}
was measured as an arithmetic medium from 5 to 7 and calculated on the
curve values obtained through interpolation.
B. The experimental subjects were all persons of middle age, almost all
in a weak and underfed condition. On principle, the healthier ones were
used as controls, only control number 39 (J. Rei) and the orally
protected experimental subject No. 37 (A. Rei) had a localized cirrhotic
productive tuberculosis of the lungs. With the others, no pulmonary
disease could be found. In the first experiments up to 6g
hexamethylentetramine were given orally, later despite the much higher
concentrations 0.06 g/kg body weight, orally as well as intravenously.
_Results_
The intravenously protected experimental subjects, without exception,
all survived the phosgene poisoning with a c. t. of 247 to 5,400. There
were no symptoms of pulmonary oedema after intravenous protection even
with a c. t. of 2,970. Only experiment No. 10 with a c. t. of 3,960
suffered pulmonary oedema of the first degree, which was overcome
without any therapy and in experiment No. XIV the intravenous protection
was penetrated to an extent to cause pulmonary oedema of the 3d degree,
which however was overcome by oxygen inhalation. The experimental
subject recovered.
All control subjects fell ill. With a c. t. of 768 and 1,180 a first
degree pulmonary oedema resulted which was overcome. With a c. t. of
2,275, one control subject died, the second contracted a second degree
pulmonary oedema but recovered. A c. t. of 5,400 killed one control
subject after 4 hours, the other after 14 hours.
After oral protection, a c. t. of 247 to 768 was suffered without any
oedema, even when the protective solution of hexamethylentetramine was
drunk only 2-3 minutes before the inhalation of the phosgene. Two
control subjects showed a marked oedema with a c. t. of 768. With a c.
t. of 1,485 one protected subject fell seriously ill with a second
degree oedema, a second subject likewise protected, having breathed the
same phosgenic air, was unaffected. The cause of this striking
difference must be sought in the different resorption of the
hexamethylentetramine on the one hand and in the different reaction and
the different volume of respiration of the experimental subjects on the
other hand.
Even a c. t. of 2,275 resulted in only a slight pulmonary oedema in an
orally protected test subject, whereas one control subject died after 4
hours, and a second contracted a second degree pulmonary oedema. The
oral protection was penetrated by a c. t. of 5,400, the protected test
subject died, as did the two control subjects.
Experiment XV is characteristic of the test schedule and its results,
and will therefore again be specially described. Of four test subjects,
the first was protected orally, the second intravenously, the third
received an intravenous injection of hexamethylentetramine after the
poisoning, in order once more to ascertain the effect of therapeutic
treatment, the fourth was not treated at all. The four subjects were
placed in the chamber in which a phial containing 2.7 grams of phosgene
was smashed. The test subjects remained in this concentration for 25
minutes. The phosgene content was measured three times during the
inhalation. The readings showed an average concentration of 91 mg. per
cbm. The subject protected intravenously remained healthy, and did not
show the least signs of difficulties or symptoms, the orally protected
subject contracted a slight pulmonary oedema, subsequently
bronchopneumonia and pleurisy, from which he recovered. One control
subject also survived his pulmonary oedema; the second died a few hours
later, and the autopsy showed the characteristics of very serious
pulmonary oedema.
_Summary_
The conclusions of the experiment are impaired by the varying
constitutions and the general poor state of nutrition and of physique of
the experimental subjects, as well as by the different behavior and the
different volume of respiration of the experimental subjects under gas,
which was here demonstrated for the first time. But the experiments gave
the following decisive conclusions:
1. A previous intravenous injection of 3 grams of hexamethylentetramine
completely prevents serious toxic and fatal phosgene poisoning from a c.
t. of 2,275.
2. An endurable quantity of hexamethylentetramine taken prophylactically
weakens a fatal poisoning to such an extent that it can be overcome
without treatment. c. t.=2,275.
3. Nonfatal but nevertheless oedema-producing poisonings are made
positively ineffective by intravenous application, and are weakened by
oral application, c. t. 250 to 1,980.
4. The oral application of hexamethylentetramine is no longer effective
against phosgene poisoning of a c. t.=5,400, the intravenous injection,
however, weakens the effect to such an extent that the protected subject
is able to overcome a lung oedema.
5. The _dosis letalis minima_ (minimum lethal dose) based on these
experiments cannot yet be determined with certainty. One c. t. of 2,275
resulted in the death of one experimental subject, and the second
developed second degree oedema of the lungs which was cured.
6. Some of the protected experimental subjects who did not develop
oedema of the lungs remained completely healthy, others suffered from
slight bronchitis with a brief fever. In every case they recovered
without treatment.
* * * * *
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-978
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 480
LETTER FROM SIEVERS TO GLUECKS, 11 SEPTEMBER 1942, CONCERNING MILITARY
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WORK TO BE CONDUCTED AT NATZWEILER CONCENTRATION
CAMP
The Reich Leader SS
Personal Staff
The Chief of the Office Ahnenerbe
Berlin-Dahlem, 11 September 42
Puecklerstr. 16
[handwritten] secret
G/W/12
To: SS Brigadefuehrer Gluecks
Berlin-Oranienburg
Subject: Military Scientific Research in Connection with the Natzweiler
Concentration Camp.
Reference: Personal discussion of the 9th inst.
Brigadefuehrer,
Based on my report that, as proposed by the Reich Leader SS, there is a
good possibility for carrying out our military scientific research work
in the Natzweiler concentration camp, I hereby summarize what awaits
your approval:
1. Information to the commander’s office, Natzweiler concentration camp:
SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt, Stabsarzt Dr. Wimmer, and Dr.
Kieselbach are authorized to enter the Natzweiler concentration camp.
During their activity in the Natzweiler concentration camp, they are to
be provided with accommodations and board.
2. SS Oberscharfuehrer Walbert, at present supply sergeant in the
administration of the Natzweiler concentration camp, is to be detached
for service with the Institute for Military Scientific Research,
Personal Staff Reich Leader SS, Strasbourg-Natzweiler section. Walbert
will have to tend the animals under the supervision of SS
Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt. It is requested that another man
be assigned to the administration of the Natzweiler concentration camp
in order to replace SS Oberscharfuehrer Walbert.
3. The transfer of two prisoners from the group which has been trained
on the microtome for pathological research in the Buchenwald
concentration camp is requested.
4. It is furthermore requested, that a younger physician be assigned to
assist the camp medical officer, SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Blanke, in the
Natzweiler concentration camp.
5. The experiments which are to be performed on prisoners are to be
carried out in four rooms of an already existing medical barrack. Only
slight changes in the construction of the building are required, in
particular the installation of the hood which can be produced with very
little material. In accordance with attached plan of the construction
management at Natzweiler, I request that necessary orders be issued to
same to carry out the reconstruction.
6. All the expenses arising out of our activity at Natzweiler will be
covered by this office. I have already discussed the accounting
procedure with the administrative leader, SS Obersturmfuehrer
Faschingbauer.
In conclusion I would be very grateful to you, my dear Brigadefuehrer,
if you would inform the commander of the Natzweiler concentration camp,
that you have approved the execution of the work at Natzweiler, just as
it was discussed with me there, and about which I reported to you in
detail, and that you desire that we be given assistance in fulfilling
the duties with which we have been entrusted by the Reich Leader SS.
Heil Hitler!
[Signed] SIEVERS
SS Obersturmbannfuehrer