Highly respected Reich Minister!
Earlier already you made it possible for the Luftwaffe to settle urgent
medical matters through experiments on human beings. Today again I stand
before a decision which, after numerous experiments on animals as well
as human experiments on voluntary experimental subjects, demands a final
solution. The Luftwaffe has simultaneously developed two methods for
making sea-water potable. The one method, developed by a medical
officer, removes the salt from the sea-water and transforms it into real
drinking water; the second method, suggested by an engineer, leaves the
salt content unchanged, and only removes the unpleasant taste from the
sea-water. The latter method, in contrast to the first, requires no
critical raw material. From the medical point of view this method must
be viewed critically, as the administration of concentrated salt
solutions can produce severe symptoms of poisoning.
As the experiments on human beings could thus far only be carried out
for a period of 4 days, and as practical demands require a remedy for
those who are in distress at sea up to 12 days, appropriate experiments
are necessary.
Required are 40 healthy test subjects, who must be available for 4 whole
weeks. As it is known from previous experiments that necessary
laboratories exist in the concentration camp Dachau, this camp would be
very suitable.
Direction of the experiments is to be taken over by Stabsarzt Dr.
Beiglboeck, civilian; Chief Physician of the Medical University Clinic
in Vienna, Professor Dr. Eppinger. After receipt of your basic approval,
I shall list by name the other physicians who are to participate, in the
experiments.
Due to the enormous importance which a solution of this problem has for
shipwrecked men of the Luftwaffe and navy, I would be greatly obliged to
you, my dear Reich Minister, if you would decide to comply with my
request.
Heil Hitler!
[Signature] SCHROEDER
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT NO-183
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 136
TELETYPE FROM RUDOLF BRANDT TO GRAWITZ, UNDATED, CONCERNING EXPERIMENTAL
SUBJECTS
[stamp] Top Secret
_Teletype_:
To the Reich Physician SS and Police SS Obergruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz,
Berlin
Subject: Experiments by the Chief of the Medical Service of the
Luftwaffe.