I only heard of the sulfanilamide experiments on human beings at
Ravensbrueck after their conclusion through the public report made by
Professor Gebhardt and Dr. Fischer before the Third Conference East of
Consultant Specialists of 24 and 26 May 1943 at the Military Medical
Academy, Berlin. I attended this conference as Stabsarzt in the army
from a military reserve hospital in Berlin. Later on I read a report in
the directives. Professor Dr. Gebhardt did not speak to us about this
point subsequently. On the other hand, the existence of this
sulfanilamide experiment was known and was not kept secret, although
even foreigners were continuously to be found among the assistants, as,
for instance, the Swiss surgeon, Dr. Meyer, during my time.
TRANSLATION OF GEBHARDT, FISCHER, OBERHEUSER
DOCUMENT 1
GEBHARDT, FISCHER, OBERHEUSER DEFENSE EXHIBIT 6
EXTRACT FROM REPORT ON THE FIRST CONFERENCE EAST OF CONSULTING
SPECIALISTS ON 18 AND 19 MAY 1942 AT THE MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY,
BERLIN
* * * * *
_Directives for the chemo-therapy of wound infections_
The treatment of war wounds with sulfanilamide preparations in order to
combat wound infections seems to have prospects. In stock now in the
medical stores are: prontalbin-marfanil powder, prontosil,
neo-uleron-albucid, eubasinum, sulfapyridine-cibazol, and eleudron
pills.
Traumatic tetanus cannot be prevented by these preparations; tetanus
antitoxin must therefore be given as usual.
Chemotherapeutics are not a safe precaution against gas oedemata. The
collection of further experiences in this field is especially desirable.
When treating war wounds, an operative arrangement of the wound must
first be made by removing the dead tissue and opening all cavities of
the wound. Then the remedy is applied with a powder distributor or with
dredging boxes, in dosages of from 5-20 grams according to the size of
the wound. This is repeated whenever a change of dressing is necessary.
Independently of the change of dressing, and spread evenly over the day,
the patient is given 8 grams on the first day, 6 grams on the second
day, 5 grams on the third day and on each of the fourth, fifth, and
sixth days, 4 grams of sulfanilamide preparations per os (if necessary,
rectal or intravenous injections). Then the drug treatment is
discontinued and started again if necessary. The earlier this treatment
is begun the better are its chances.
Local treatment with the available sulfanilamide powders together with
an internal treatment with albucid, cibazol, eleudron, eubasinum,
globucid (particularly for gas oedema), marfanil-prontalbin, protosil is
suggested.
If, in rare cases, secondary reactions occur such as nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, buzzing in the ears, headaches, skin rashes, or icterus, these
remedies must be discontinued at once. A blood transfusion may be
useful.
* * * * *
PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF GEBHARDT, FISCHER,
OBERHEUSER DOCUMENT 3
GEBHARDT, FISCHER, OBERHEUSER DEFENSE EXHIBIT 10
EXTRACTS FROM REPORT ON THE THIRD CONFERENCE EAST OF CONSULTING
SPECIALISTS ON 24 TO 26 MAY 1943 AT THE MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY, BERLIN
* * * * *
5. SS Gruppenfuehrer and Major General, Professor Gebhardt, and F.
Fischer.
_Special Experiments on Sulfanilamide Treatment_