Theodore Morell
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
"Professor" Theodore (Theo) Morell was one of Adolf Hitler's personal physicians. He was well known in Germany for his unconventional, holistic and alternative treatments.
Following World War II there were investigations into his background along with interrogation by the Allies and he came to be widely regarded as a quack. Historians have speculated his treatment contributed to Hitler's ill health.
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Early life
Nothing definite is known about Morell's early life. He claimed (among other things) to have studied under Nobel Prize-winning bacteriologist Ilya Mechnikov and to have taught medicine at prestigious universities, which he used to justify calling himself professor. He claimed to have traveled the world in search of homeopathic cures, however there is no record of any of this. It is not known where, when, or even if he gained a degree in medicine.
It is known that he set up practices in Munich and later Berlin, claiming to be a specialist in dermatology and venereal disease. Apparently attracting a wealthy clientele, he came to the attention of the Nazis in 1935 when he treated an ailing Heinrich Hoffmann, Hitler's official photographer. Apparently cured, both he and his assistant, Eva Braun, mentioned Morell to Hitler.
Hitler's physician
Hitler was suffering from a foot rash and intestinal gas when he first met Morell, who diagnosed "a lack of intestinal bacteria." Morell began treating Hitler with one of his own concoctions, a combination of vitamins and animal bacteria he called Multiflor. Hitler recovered and took him onto his staff. Morell eventually became a part of Hitler's social inner circle and remained there until shortly before the war ended. Some historians have attempted to explain this association by citing Morell's reputation in Germany for success in treating syphilis, along with Hitler's own (speculated) fears of the disease which he associated closely with Jews. Other observers have commented on the possibility Hitler had visible symptoms of syphilis, especially towards the end of the war.
As Hitler's physician Morell was constantly recommended to other members of the Nazi leadership but most of them, including Hermann Goering and Heinrich Himmler immediately dismissed him as a quack. As Albert Speer related in his autobiography:
- In 1936, when my circulation and stomach rebelled...I called at Morell's private office. After a superficial examination...Morell prescribed for me his intestinal bacteria, dextrose, vitamins, and hormone tablets.
- For safety's sake I afterward had a thorough examination by Professor von Bergmann, the specialist in internal medicine at Berlin University. I was not suffering from any organic trouble, he concluded, but only from nervous symptoms caused by overwork.
- I slowed down my pace as best I could and the symptoms abated. To avoud offending Hitler I pretended that I was carefully following Morell's instructions, and since my health improved, I became for a time Morell's showpiece. (Albert Speer, Inside the Third Reich, 1970).
Morell also developed a rivalry with Dr. Karl Brandt, who had been attending Hitler since 1933. The two often argued, though Hitler usually sided with Morell. Eva Braun later changed her opinion of Morell, calling his office a "pig sty" and refusing to see him anymore.
In 1939 Morell inadvertently got involved with the forced annexation of Czechoslovakia. Its president, Emil Hacha, became so scared at Hitler's outburst that he fainted. Morell injected stimulants into Hacha to wake him and although he claimed these were only vitamins, they may have included methamphetamines. Hacha meanwhile soon caved in to Hitler's demands.
On April 20, 1945 Morell was dismissed from the Fuhrerbunker in Berlin by Hitler, who said he didn't need any more medical help.
Morell was captured by the Americans. One of his interrogators was reportedly "disgusted" by his obesity, complete lack of hygeine and medical knowledge. For example, although he was supposedly an expert in venereal diseases, Morell knew nothing about the use of penicillin.
Although he was held and questioned because of his proximity to Hitler, Morell was never charged with any crimes. He died in May 1948 after a stroke.
Drugs given to Hitler
There is some controversey and speculation over which drugs Morell administered to Hitler, especially when this involves assertions Morell may have accidentally contributed to Hitler's poor health. Here is a partial list of suspected substances:
- Extract from the testicles of bulls
- Potassium bromide
- Nux Vomica (a form of strychnine)
- Sodium barbitone
- Chamomile
- Cocaine (via eye drops)
- Various enzymes
- Various vitamins
- Various methamphetamines
- Various proteins and lipids derived from animal fats
The problem with compiling such a list is Morell never told Hitler (or anyone else) what he was administering, other than to say the preparations were various vitamins and "natural" ingredients. Some of the items were later mentioned by doctors who had been shown pills by Hitler while temporarily treating him.
References
- Snyder, Louis L. Hitler's Elite. New York: Hippocrene Books, 1989. ISBN: 0-87052-738-X.
