Medical Specialties Commons^™

Jewish Dermatologists In Nazi Germany., Walter H.C. Burgdorf, Lawrence Charles Parish

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

With the development of medical specialties beginning in the 1860’s, physicians could devote their time to the study of specific organ systems or surgical approaches. Although Jews had been given full rights in the new Germany by 1871, prejudice and other restrictions often precluded hospital and university appointments. Major specialities like internal medicine and surgery were almost closed to Jews, as were obstetrics and gynecology. Dermatology with its heavy emphasis on sexually transmitted diseases evolved into a suitable domain for Jewish physicians almost by default. Even those Jews who converted to Christianity were not spared from discrimination. Paul Gerson Unna …