Citation

Doyle D. J. R. Coll. Physicians Edinb. 2005; 35(1): 75-82.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15825245

Abstract

For the last nine years of his life Adolf Hitler, a lifelong hypochondriac had as his physician Dr Theodor Morell. Hitler's mood swings, Parkinson's disease, gastro-intestinal symptoms, skin problems and steady decline until his suicide in 1945 are documented by reliable observers and historians, and in Morell's diaries. The bizarre and unorthodox medications given to Hitler, often for undisclosed reasons, include topical cocaine, injected amphetamines, glucose, testosterone, estradiol, and corticosteroids. In addition, he was given a preparation made from a gun cleaner, a compound of strychnine and atropine, an extract of seminal vesicles, and numerous vitamins and 'tonics'. It seems possible that some of Hitler's behaviour, illnesses and suffering can be attributed to his medical care. Whether he blindly accepted such unorthodox medications or demanded them is unclear.

Language: en

Keywords

Famous Persons; Germany; History, 20th Century; Hypochondriasis; Parkinson Disease; Physicians