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March 2, 1946

THE TREATMENT OF SHOCK FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO COLD

JAMA. 1946;130(9):572-573. doi:10.1001/jama.1946.02870090026010
Abstract

Sometime ago The Journal commented editorially on the experiments by the German Professor Weltz, who had accidentally discovered that rapid warming in water of 104 to 113 F. was life saving to guinea pigs and hogs that had been chilled to the threshold of death. Now the discovery of the entire contents of Himmler's cave in Hallein placed in Allied hands a number of secret S. S. records. These are the basis of a report by Major Alexander.1 The letters convey a complete account of the organization and administration of the experiments on human beings performed by Dr. Rascher, assisted by his wife, Nini, who was formerly secretary and mistress of Himmler. Dr. Rascher proposed to Himmler experiments on human beings in the concentration camp of Dachau. Persons were cooled until the intragastric temperature was reduced to 79.5 F. and the rectal temperature to 79.7 according to thermoelectric measurements.

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