“I really do need the second X-ray installation—I can give you the explanation only by word of mouth—at any rate the probability exists that even more of the installations will be needed later on (it depends on, the application of my results the moment these are determined). For I can get the installation without further difficulties, that is, it is ‘waiting’ for me—really I have got it already!
“I had an opportunity to acquire one myself and I quickly laid hands on it, and the installation has been set up for some weeks. But what I care for is the following:
“I urgently need this installation here in Koenigshuette for my contrary (positive) research. But I cannot spare it in Auschwitz until I get a second installation from the Waffen SS. If I may tell you something between ourselves—the fact is that I will be able to replace my own existing installation provided the Reich Leader SS will give me his approval. I would not bother either him or you with this unless it were really necessary.” (NO-210, Pros. Ex. 174.)
Brandt himself admitted in his affidavit that Clauberg did carry out sterilization experiments in the Auschwitz concentration camp on a large scale. He stated:
“Dr. Clauberg developed further a method for the sterilization of women. This method was based upon the injection of an irritating solution into the uterus. Clauberg conducted widespread experiments on Jewish women and gypsies in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Several thousand women were sterilized by Clauberg in Auschwitz.” (NO-440, Pros. Ex. 141.)
Sterilization of Jews by means of X-rays was suggested to Himmler by the defendant Brack in the spring of 1941. (NO-426, Pros. Ex. 160.) Himmler requested Brack to investigate with some of the physicians who were active in the euthanasia program, the possibility of sterilization which would keep the victims unaware of their terrible fate. (Tr. p. 7484.) On 28 March 1941, Brack forwarded to Himmler a report of the results of experiments concerning X-ray castrations in which he stated that mass sterilization by means of X-rays could be carried out without difficulty. Brack estimated that with twenty X-ray installations, sterilization of 3,000 to 4,000 victims could be carried out daily. (NO-203, Pros. Ex. 161.) On 12 May 1941 a subordinate of Brandt, SS Sturmbannfuehrer Tiefenbacher, acknowledged receipt of Brack’s report and sent a copy to the Chief of the Security Police and SD, Heydrich. (NO-204, Pros. Ex. 162.)
The invasion of Russia began in the summer of 1941 and Brack’s proposal was not acted on immediately, but on 23 June 1942, when Germany appeared to be on the verge of victory, Brack again wrote to Himmler suggesting the sterilization of Jews who were able to work. Jews unable to work were being exterminated. (NO-205, Pros. Ex. 163.) Himmler wrote to Brack on 11 August 1942 that further experiments to ascertain the effectiveness of X-ray sterilization should be carried out on concentration camp inmates by expert physicians who were to be furnished by Brack’s chief, Bouhler. Rudolf Brandt sent copies of this letter to Pohl and Grawitz in order to put Himmler’s decision into effect. (NO-206, Pros. Ex. 164.) Brack ordered his deputy, Blankenburg, to contact the chiefs of the concentration camps for this purpose. Blankenburg’s letter, which communicated this fact to Himmler, was received by Brandt’s office on 15 August 1942. (NO-207, Pros. Ex. 165.) As a result, experiments on inmates in the Auschwitz concentration camp were carried out by Dr. Schumann. (NO-208, Pros. Ex. 166.) One of the victims of these atrocious experiments who, after having been subjected to severe doses of X-ray in the genital area, was castrated by operation in order to determine the effects of the X-ray. (Tr. p. 541.) At least 100 involuntary experimental subjects—Poles, Russians, French, and prisoners of war—were used for these experiments. Only young, well-built inmates, in the best of health, were selected for them. (Tr. pp. 556-7.) Nearly all the victims of these experiments were exterminated as the severe X-ray burns made them incapable of working. (Tr. p. 557; Tr. p. 543.) Brandt admitted in his pretrial affidavit that “sterilization experiments were likewise conducted with X-rays. Dr. Schumann applied this procedure in Auschwitz and sterilized a number of men.” (NO-440, Pros. Ex. 141.)
The Sterilization Experiments
The defendant Gebhardt is also accused of special responsibility for these experiments and of participation in them. The evidence, however, proved that this contention of the indictment is not true. First of all it should be pointed out that the life work of the defendant Gebhardt as a physician was based on the principle of helping the physically and mentally affected and to find cures for restoring them as fully qualified members of human society. That was the reason for the establishment of the training camp Hohenaschau in the lower Alps of Bavaria, which was repeatedly mentioned in the evidence. He also made this principle the finding principle of his work as chief physician of the hospital at Hohenlychen. The defendant Gebhardt did not hold the opinion that a sound population policy could be realized by negative measures only; on the contrary, he was convinced that the faculties of physically and mentally handicapped patients ought to be improved by new methods of treatment and their efficiency thus increased. He applied these principles not only in his rehabilitation surgery dealing with injuries but also in the cure of hereditary physical defects. I am here referring to the affidavits of Professor Dr. Iseling, Professor Dr. Buerkle de la Camp, and of the Generalarzt, Dr. von Heuss. (Gebhardt 7, Gebhardt Ex. 1; Gebhardt 8, Gebhardt Ex. 2; Gebhardt 9, Gebhardt Ex. 3.) I further refer to the affidavits presented in court as exhibits in volume II of my document books. All these witnesses’ affidavits in connection with the defendant’s own statements make it obvious that his medical attitude was not based on the principle of negative selection and the destruction of unworthy lives or the prevention of propagation of such human beings but, on the contrary, that he was led by the conviction that these human beings must be helped insofar as medical science was able to help them at all. In their presentation of evidence, the prosecution presented documents concerned with the sterilization experiments. It is obvious from these documents that three different methods of quick and simple sterilization had been considered.
The first experiments were supposed to be carried out with caladium seguinum. The documents presented in this connection proved clearly that the defendant Gebhardt had nothing to do with this matter and that he apparently had no knowledge of it. May I, as a matter of precaution, point out the following: to start with, I wish to refer to the letter of Reich Leader SS Himmler to SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl of 10 March 1942, which proves that the experiments with caladium seguinum were supposed to be carried out on criminals whose sterilization had been ordered before that anyway. (NO-036, Pros. Ex. 143.) In this connection I should like to point out that the German Penal Code expressly provides in certain cases for compulsory sterilization and castration of certain types of criminals. The experiments in themselves, therefore, need not be contrary to the law. From the other documents presented by the prosecution it is, however, to be seen that the plans to carry out sterilizations with caladium seguinum were dropped. It turned out that a cultivation of this plant, or at least of a quantity adequate for experimental purposes was impossible. From the evidence presented by the prosecution it is obvious that it only came to preparatory measures which, according to generally acknowledged principles, cannot be considered punishable.
The second part of the documents deals with sterilization by X-rays. The prosecution presented no evidence from which it can be concluded that the defendant Gebhardt had knowledge of this matter.
Finally, the third part of the documents deals with sterilization experiments conforming with the methods of Professor Dr. Clauberg. From Professor Dr. Clauberg’s letter to the Reich Leader SS Himmler dated 30 May 1942 presented by the prosecution as evidence, it is obvious that the initiative for these experiments and the methods used originated exclusively with Professor Clauberg himself. In this connection, it must be pointed out that it was quite obvious that Professor Clauberg’s intention was not only to develop the simplest possible method of sterilization, but that he aimed at the establishment of an all-inclusive “Research Institute for Propagation Biology” with due consideration for the demands of a positive population policy. This is demonstrated among other things by the content of Document NO-211, Prosecution Exhibit 169, and the plan for this research institute attached to that document.
In the course of evidence and referring to the sterilization experiments, the prosecution has submitted two file notes of the defendant Rudolf Brandt (NO-216, Pros. Ex. 170; NO-215, Pros. Ex. 172) which refer to a discussion with the Reich Leader SS on 7 July 1942 and 8 July 1942, in which the defendant Gebhardt had participated. The evidence has shown that these are two file notes which refer to the same discussion. The evidence, however, has further demonstrated that this was the very discussion during which the conditions were established under which the sulfanilamide experiments were to be carried out. This was the reason why the defendant Gebhardt took part in this discussion at all. The defendant Rudolf Brandt who had written these file notes did not participate in the discussion, and obviously the file notes were made due to some remarks made by Reich Leader SS Himmler to the defendant Brandt following the discussion.
The fact that the defendant Gebhardt had nothing whatsoever to do with these sterilization experiments is also demonstrated by another document which was also introduced as evidence by the prosecution. I refer in this connection to the letter which the defendant Brandt by order of the Reich Leader SS sent to Professor Clauberg on 10 July 1942, that is, a few days after the discussion mentioned. This letter has been submitted to the Tribunal by the prosecution. (NO-213, Pros. Ex. 171.) Copies of this letter were sent to SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl, to SS Gruppenfuehrer Grawitz in his capacity as Reich Physician SS and to two other offices, but not to the defendant Gebhardt. There can be no doubt that a copy of this letter would have been sent to this defendant, too, if his participation in Clauberg’s experiments would have been decided upon or even considered in any form. This seems to be the more impossible, apart from the reasons already given, since the defendant Gebhardt at no time concerned himself with sterilization problems. In this connection it is necessary to refer briefly to the affidavit of the defendant Rudolf Brandt, of 19 October 1946, which has been introduced by the prosecution and in which it is asserted among other things that “Dr. Karl Gebhardt apparently performed surgical sterilization at the Ravensbrueck camp.” (NO-440, Pros. Ex. 141.) By the wording of this affidavit it is already demonstrated that here only an assumption is stated. The defendant Rudolf Brandt could not state any facts on which he could base this assumption. In view of the other result of the evidence, and above all because of Rudolf Brandt’s own statements, no substantial value can be attached to this affidavit. In these circumstances it will be useless to discuss this question any further, especially also in view of the fact that surgical sterilization offers no problems and that it is difficult to understand what reasons the defendant Gebhardt could have had to work on this field which was quite foreign to him.
Sterilization with caladium seguinum is impossible as is shown by the following opinions:
1. Opinion of Dr. August Wilhelm Forst of the University of Munich. (Pokorny 20, Pokorny Ex. 28.) This opinion states:
“Apart from all these restrictions it appears to me that the whole idea cannot claim to have any actual significance, since it would hardly have been possible to import tropical plants in large numbers to Europe during the war and to work out a rational method for production of the effective substance as well as the initiation of animal experiments on a broad basis. This would have required disproportionally more time than was available up to the time when the war was lost.”
2. Opinion of Professor Dr. Helmuth Weese, Director of the Pharmacological Institute of the Medical Academy in Duesseldorf. (Pokorny 19, Pokorny Ex. 27.) This opinion states:
“Asked whether it can be assumed that after studying the work of G. Madaus and Dr. E. Koch, ‘Studies in Animal Experiments concerning Medical Sterilization by Caladium Seguinum’ in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, page 68, 1941, a doctor can come to the conclusion that he can sterilize human beings with caladium seguinum, I have the following comment:
“In the research mentioned it was proved that the authors managed to sterilize rats by feeding them with the juice of caladium seguinum. The proof is not only given by pairing experiments but by anatomical examinations. In order to achieve this sterilization of female as well as of male rats weighing 150-180 grams, daily doses of ½ cubic centimeter for each rat had to be administered 30-50 times and 40-90 times, respectively, without assuring a certain result. Applied to a human being weighing 70 kilograms this would mean that 200 grams of juice would have to be administered daily.
“It is also proved in these examinations that a large number of the animals treated died from the poisonous effects of the caladium juice. The juice has therefore no specific action on the reproductive system. It is still completely unknown if these injurious complications are caused by the main substance of the juice or any other ingredients.
“Such nonspecific damage to the reproductive system in similar ways but with different substances is also observed in human beings, for example as result of serious abuse of nicotine, morphine, etc., where it also occurs only together with most severe harm to other functions.
“The question arises for every doctor if these experiments on rats can be applied to human beings at all. Madaus and Koch reject them on principle because they merely want to determine if the layman’s belief about sterilizing men with large amounts of the caladium extract can be proved in animal experiments.
“A prerequisite for the use of the caladium extract on human beings in our countries would be the cultivation in central Europe of the South American caladium. This appears extremely improbable to any student of natural science with the least experience. Even if it could be cultivated, this would not prove that it would produce the same effective substances in sufficient quantities in our moderate climate.
“Because of the uncertain effect of the caladium extract, its high toxicity, the doubts as to its successful cultivation and use in our moderate climate, I consider it extremely improbable that even a doctor with only average intelligence could in seriousness embark on an experiment to sterilize human beings with caladium extract. No other convincing foundation on which the problem under discussion might be based besides the work of Madaus and Koch is known to me.”
3. Opinion of Dr. Friedrich Jung, lecturer at the Pharmacological Institute of Wuerzburg University. (Pokorny 30, Pokorny Ex. 30.) This opinion states:
“Summary: The findings of Madaus and Koch in their work ‘Studies in Animal Experiments concerning Medical Sterilization by Caladium Seguinum’ are certainly valid, but they do not prove anything with regard to a specific sterilizing effect of caladium seguinum; they are rather to be accepted as part of the general poisonous effect of the caladium extract. One can therefore sterilize with caladium or achieve the effect of castration, but not more and not less than one can sterilize by hunger, vitamin deficiency, infections, psychic insults, etc. The experiments of Madaus and Koch are in no way conclusive with regard to human beings. The symptoms on the sexual glands of the experimental animals are only a reversible partial symptom of a long lasting, almost fatal, serious injury to the entire organism, and have no connection with an actual sterilization or castration. Dr. Pokorny’s proposals based upon certain completely unfounded conclusions drawn from Madaus’ work can be recognized even by slightly educated men as quite apparently utopian.”
4. The expert witness of the prosecution, Dr. Friedrich Scheiffart, writes (NO-3347, Pros. Ex. 546):
“The experimental sterilization by caladium seguinum is a scientifically interesting but, in practice, an unimportant addition to the group of pharmacological methods of sterilization, which without exception in their totality have not gone beyond a certain theoretical interest.”
The prosecution itself states (Tr. p. 525):
“The prosecution admits openly that it cannot prove that sterilization was actually brought about through this drug. We have not been able to find anybody who has been actually sterilized by it. But we maintain that it is nevertheless a crime. We strongly hope that no permanent sterilization has been caused in any case with this drug. However it is fortunate that the plants from which this substance was received could not be cultivated to a greater extent.”
Final Summary of the Defense:
Nothing could or did occur with the caladium plant as the prosecution admits and as has completely been proved by the expert opinions.
In an affidavit by Karl Tauboeck (NO-3963, Pros. Ex. 528) the prosecution referred to the idea that sterilization with caladium seguinum is not an ideal one, but a matter which lies well within the bounds of possibility.
The defense on the other hand contends that this affidavit is lacking in credibility because of the expert opinions. The expert witness of the defense, university lecturer Dr. Friedrich Jung, in his enclosure to the expert opinion (Pokorny 30, Pokorny Ex. 30) comments as follows on Karl Tauboeck’s affidavit:
“Concerning the person—
“Dr. Tauboeck is, according to his education, a natural scientist with additional specialized studies in plant chemistry. His medical education is confined to histology, physiology, physiological chemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. By virtue of his education, he calls himself ‘a specialist in this field’, i. e., in the field of medicamental sterilization. I should like to stress the fact that the title ‘specialist’ in the field of sterilization presupposes considerable medical and in particular gynecological knowledge, which generally may be acquired only in a complete study of medicine or a penetrating study over several years in the materia medica.
“The affidavit of Dr. Tauboeck in several places lacks that critical attitude which is so necessary in scientific questions, especially if they are discussed under oath. Dr. Tauboeck states, for example, under point 5, that caladium seguinum was used as a means of sterilization by the natives of Brazil. He calls this assertion of the Indians, which has been reported in literature, a fact. Under point 6 he calls the reports from Brazil vague, only to assert literally several lines further on that ‘the Brazilian natives have already reached castration effects with an arrow wound, i. e., with an intramuscular injection’. This assertion is not proved, and is therefore, in my opinion, out of place in an affidavit. Furthermore Dr. Tauboeck makes a large number of apodictic assertions, for which he brings no direct proof whatever and which he tries to strengthen with the help of absolutely impermissible generalizations of the examples listed under points 7 a-d. Such analogical conclusions are not permissible in a serious scientific explanation, the more so since also the examples brought by him are by no means unobjectionable. Moreover, Dr. Tauboeck, under point 8, draws a conclusion from the experiments by Madaus and Koch, which can only be based on an insufficient knowledge of these experiments. He writes literally: ‘This bitter substance was lacking in the plants of the firm Madaus, the use of the pressed juice for feeding was accomplished there without any irritation of the pharyngeal mucous membranes or the tongue.’ According to the evidence on hand, Madaus and Koch administered the pressed juice through probing, no doubt in order to avoid this very irritation.
“These findings may be further enlarged upon by attentive reading of Dr. Tauboeck’s statement. I, therefore, do not consider Dr. Tauboeck to be qualified as a scientific expert in this question.”
Conclusion of the Defense:
The affidavit of Karl Tauboeck produced at the end of the case-in-chief cannot alter the fact that it is impossible to sterilize or castrate human beings with caladium seguinum.
| Prosecution Documents | |||
| Pros. Ex. | |||
| Doc. No. | No. | Description of Document | Page |
| NO-3963 | 528 | Extracts from affidavit of Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Tauboeck, 18 June 1947, concerning the development of, and experiments with sterilization drugs. | 710 |
| NO-035 | 142 | Letter from Pokorny to Himmler, October 1941, concerning a sterilization drug to be used against Germany’s enemies. | 713 |
| NO-036 | 143 | Letter from Himmler, 10 March 1942, to Pohl (initiated by Rudolf Brandt) concerning a sterilization drug and suggesting further research on criminals. | 714 |
| NO-038 | 147 | Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Pohl, June 1942, transmitting an inquiry by Himmler as to the progress made with experiments for medical sterilization. | 715 |
| NO-046a | 148 | Letter from Pohl to Himmler, 3 June 1942, concerning the development of a sterilization drug by the firm of Dr. Madaus and Co. | 716 |
| NO-046b | 149 | Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Pohl, 11 June 1942, asking him on behalf of Himmler to set up a large hothouse for the development of a sterilization drug. | 717 |
| NO-039 | 153 | Letter from Gund to Himmler, 24 August 1942, concerning research in medical sterilization and development of sterilization drugs. | 717 |
| NO-203 | 161 | Covering letter from Brack to Himmler, 28 March 1941, with report on experiments concerning sterilization and castration by X-rays. | 719 |
| NO-205 | 163 | Letter from Brack to Himmler, 23 June 1942, proposing sterilization of two to three million Jews. | 721 |
| NO-206 | 164 | Letter from Himmler (countersigned by Rudolf Brandt), 11 August 1942, addressed to Brack, concerning Himmler’s interest in sterilization experiments. | 722 |
| NO-208 | 166 | Letter from Blankenburg to Himmler, 29 April 1944, regarding employment of Dr. Horst Schumann on experiments concerning the influence of X-rays on human genital glands in connection with similar experiments conducted at concentration camp Auschwitz. | 723 |
| NO-211 | 169 | Letter from Professor Clauberg to Himmler, 30 May 1942 (referring to a letter from Rudolf Brandt), concerning the urgency of research into biological propagation and sterilization without operation, and draft of a “Research Institute for Biological Propagation.” | 724 |
| NO-216 | 170 | Memorandum of Rudolf Brandt, July 1942, on a discussion between Himmler, Gebhardt, Gluecks, and Clauberg concerning sterilization experiments conducted on Jewesses. | 728 |
| NO-213 | 171 | Letter from Rudolf Brandt to Clauberg, 10 July 1942, transmitting instructions of Himmler to perform sterilizations on Jewesses at concentration camp Ravensbrueck. | 729 |
| NO-212 | 173 | Letter from Professor Clauberg to Himmler, 7 June 1943, reporting on research in connection with the sterilization of women. | 730 |
| Testimony | |||
| Extract from the testimony of the defendant Viktor Brack | 732 | ||
I, Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Tauboeck, swear, depose, and state:
1. I was born on 21 September 1904 in Josefstadt, Czechoslovakia. I have been an Austrian citizen all my life. From 1910 to 1915 I attended the elementary school in Leitmeritz and Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. From 1915 to 1923 I attended the gymnasium (high school) in Pilsen (Czechoslovakia), Ljubljana (Yugoslavia) and Klosterneuburg (Austria). In June 1923 I graduated from the Klosterneuburg high school. From 1923 to 1925 I studied natural science at the University of Vienna, Austria, specializing in plant physiology and chemistry. In 1925 I studied at Kiel (Germany), where I devoted myself mainly to problems of marine biology and bacteriology. From 1926 to 1927 I again studied the above-mentioned natural science subjects in Vienna (Austria). In December 1927 I was made Doctor of Philosophy with special distinction. My thesis dealt with a problem concerning vegetable chemistry—urea in the plant world.
2. From 1928 to 1929 I was assistant in the Institute of Plant Physiology of the University of Vienna, Austria. In this capacity I had to direct the practical studies of the students and was able to carry out my own research in the field of vegetable chemistry. I also continued my studies there in the medical faculty of that University, in several medical subjects, especially in histology, physiology, physiological chemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. These above-mentioned studies made it possible for me to be able to carry out independently tests on the efficacy of drugs in animal experiments.
3. From 1930 to 1945 I was employed as a biochemist and botanist in the biological laboratory of the I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G. at Ludwigshafen/Rhine. I specialized there in drugs with particular effects on the animal and human organisms, respectively. Through this work I invented various new remedies based on biology. In particular I studied the question of animal poisons for many years and thus produced a new remedy for rheumatism. I also worked on the question of the stimulant from the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) and similar substances effective in minimum quantities. During the war years I worked on biochemical problems concerning agriculture and as a result of my work produced an improved fertilizer.
The I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G. at Ludwigshafen at Rhine employed several hundred natural scientists and technicians. Since 1937 I was the senior specialist in vegetable chemistry there.
4. In the fall of 1942, I was instructed by the director of my laboratory, Dr. Mueller-Cunradi, to devote my time to research on the effective substance from the plant caladium seguinum (Schweigrohr). At the beginning of November 1942, I was sent to Dr. Schamberger of the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin for the purpose of obtaining further information. The Research Institute Grunewald was a cover name for a camouflaged SS office. The address was Grunewald-Berlin, Delbrueckstrasse 6. There I was told that this plant was to be used for sterilizing mental patients. In order to obtain further information about the progress of experiments with caladium seguinum which had already taken place, I had to visit the firm Madaus in Dresden-Radebeul, together with Dr. Schamberger and another SS man. This firm had already made animal experiments with this plant and published the results in a medical journal in 1941. I was introduced to the firm Madaus as Dr. Weiss, so that nobody should know that I was an employee of I. G. Farben. The senior pharmacologist of the firm Madaus asked us: You must be a commission from SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl, to which the SS men replied “yes”. The pharmacologist went on to tell us that a few days previously Pohl himself had visited the firm Madaus together with several other people and had mentioned the especial urgency of this work. Furthermore, while visiting the firm Madaus, I checked all the equipment and experiments in the course of one day. By careful examination of sections of mice and rats and of the histological preparations, I was convinced that the publications of the firm Madaus were perfectly true. By this examination I, as a specialist in this field, gained the conviction that sterilization with caladium seguinum is no Utopia, but something which is quite within the bounds of possibility. On the return journey from Dresden to Berlin, the SS men revealed to me that this research was being carried out on the express order of Reich Leader SS Himmler in order to suppress births among the eastern nations. After this fact had been revealed to me I was sworn to secrecy. I was furthermore informed at the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin that the first preparations were to be supplied as soon as possible, as the Reich Leader SS had ordered the testing of the new method on inmates of concentration camps to take place at once.
5. In order to point out the effectiveness and practical possibility of using caladium seguinum as a sterilization drug, I would like first of all to go into the subject of the history of this plant. Before doing so, however, I would like to add that caladium seguinum is not considered a sterilization drug in the ordinary sense of the word, but a castration drug. This is evident from the fact that the experiments carried out by the firm Madaus have clearly shown that a destruction of the sexual glands of the experimental animals occurred which is equivalent to the surgical removal of such glands. Caladium seguinum is a plant which comes from Brazil. As I know from the literature and the publications made by the firm Madaus, this plant has already been used by the Brazilian natives as a means of sterilization of their enemies. It was administered to the enemies either in food or in arrow wounds. By this method of injection by arrows, only relatively small portions of poison gained from caladium seguinum could have been administered, as the wound produced by arrows may be compared with a large intramuscular injection. From this fact, as learned from literature, results the conclusion that this poison, if obtained by the correct process, is effective even in very small doses. This drug is described in literature as secret, which shows that the enemy did not know that he was being sterilized.
6. Inspired by this experience of the Brazilian natives, the firm Madaus carried out their experiments on animals. The results obtained by the firm Madaus which I have seen with my own eyes confirm the effectiveness of caladium seguinum as a means of sterilization for human beings. It was possible to doubt whether the caladium seguinum was actually effective according to the first rather vague reports coming from Brazil before the experiments of the firm Madaus had been carried out. The experiments of Madaus, however, have eliminated all doubts in this direction.
11. As a result of all examples and explanations mentioned, I am of the opinion that mass production of a castrating preparation from caladium seguinum in Germany or in the German occupied countries is no dream, but could easily have been put into practice. Another proof of the harmfulness of the caladium poison is the fact that the Madaus examinations confirmed beyond doubt the castrative effect of caladium despite all the shortcomings already described. All this made me realize at once the criminal character of such research and for this reason did not carry it out as far as my specific order was concerned. The SS, however, took a great interest in this matter. I received my orders as an employee of the I. G. Farbenindustrie from the Chief of the Security Police, first through the camouflaged office of the Research Institute Grunewald-Berlin and later direct. I know, however, that the firm Madaus placed their orders through SS Obergruppenfuehrer Pohl separately and I am not acquainted with the development of this matter.
I have read the above statement consisting of seven pages, in German, and declare it to be the whole truth to my best knowledge and belief. I was given an opportunity of making alterations and amendments in the above statement. I have made this statement of my own free will, under no duress, without promise of reward.
| Nuernberg, 18 June 1947. | [Signature] Dr. Karl Tauboeck |
To the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German
Folkdom,
SS H. Himmler, Chief of Police,
Berlin.
I beg you to turn your attention to the following arguments. I have requested Professor Hoehn to forward this letter to you. I have chosen this direct way to you in order to avoid the slower process through channels and the possibility of an indiscretion in regard to the eventually enormous importance of the ideas presented.
Led by the idea that the enemy must not only be conquered but destroyed, I feel obliged to present to you, as the Reich Commissioner for the Consolidation of German Folkdom, the following:
Dr. Madaus published the result of his research on a medicinal sterilization (both articles are enclosed). Reading these articles, the immense importance of this drug in the present fight of our people occurred to me. If, on the basis of this research, it were possible to produce a drug which, after a relatively short time, effects an imperceptible sterilization on human beings, then we would have a new powerful weapon at our disposal. The thought alone that the 3 million Bolsheviks, at present German prisoners, could be sterilized so that they could be used as laborers but be prevented from reproduction, opens the most far-reaching perspectives.
Madaus found that the sap of the Schweigrohr (caladium seguinum) when taken by mouth or given as injection to male and also to female animals, after a certain time, produces permanent sterility. The illustrations accompanying the scientific article are convincing.
If my ideas meet your approval, the following course should be taken:
1. Dr. Madaus must not publish any more such articles. (The enemy listens!)
2. Multiplying the plant. (Easily cultivated in greenhouses!)
[Written notation] Dachau
3. Immediate research on human beings (criminals!) in order to determine the dose and length of the treatment.
4. Quick research of the constitutional formula of the effective chemical substance in order to
5. Produce it synthetically if possible.
As German physician and chief physician of the reserves of the German Wehrmacht, retired [d. R. a. D.], I undertake to keep secret the purpose as suggested by me in this letter.
| [stamp] | Heil Hitler! |
| [Signed] Dr. Pokorny | |
| Specialist for skin and venereal diseases, M. U. Dr. | |
| Ad. Pokorny | |
| Komotau | |
| Graben 33 | |
| Komotau, October 1941 |
The Reich Leader SS
Journal No. 752/5, RF/H.
Fuehrer Headquarters, 10 March 1942
2 W 1.5.
Dear Pohl,
I read Dr. Pokorny’s very interesting memorandum and Dr. Madaus’ publications on medicinal sterilization. I would ask you to get in touch with Dr. Madaus and to inform him, on my behalf, that he should not publish anything else on these questions of medicinal sterilization, and offer him possibilities of doing research, in cooperation with the Reich Physician SS, on criminals who would have to be sterilized in any case.
The intended plan of research is, however, to be submitted to me by the office engaged on the subject.
Heil Hitler!
Yours,
[Signed] H. Himmler
A copy is forwarded to the Reich Physician SS, SS Gruppenfuehrer Dr. Grawitz with request to take cognizance.
By Order:
[Initial] Br. [Brandt]
SS Sturmbannfuehrer