A Nazi Doctor in Istanbul: Max Clara and the Search for Victims of Medical Terror

Yıl 2023, Cilt: 24 Sayı: 2, 569 - 610, 06.07.2023

Erdem Bagatur

https://doi.org/10.26650/oba.1247906

Öz

The present study aims to examine Max Clara’s (1899–1966) life and his scientific activities in Istanbul between 1950-1966. Clara’s career before and during the National Socialist era has been extensively studied. However, information is lacking regarding his later years and his relationships with his old colleagues and the academic world after being dismissed from academic life in the postwar period. This article presents information about Max Clara’s life in Istanbul based on primary sources kept at the Istanbul University Archives. Archival documents were supplemented by analyses on literature about the history of Istanbul University, refugee scholars in Turkey, Max Clara’s life, and his publications. Furthermore, the study attempted to find the histological and anatomical material Dr. Clara had brought with him from Germany in order to identify the National Socialist era victims from whom the materials had been harvested. This article clearly and extensively brings Max Clara’s life, academic work, and relations with the outside world during his Istanbul years into light. However, his histological and anatomical collection, which was divided into three parts after his passing, could not be accessed due to the reluctance the relevant institutions, faculty members, and new owners of the materials had. This study also deals with Clara’s involvement in unethical practices during the National Socialist era, such as medical experiments on prisoners and the use of the unethically procured bodies of the executed. The analysis of his academic publications reveals that they involved great inconsistencies and distortions and that these publications were not as important as was thought.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Max Clara, History of Medicine, History of Histology, National Socialism, Nazi Germany, Refugee Scholars, Medical Experiments, Human Tissue, Nazi Euthanasia, Race Hygiene

İstanbul’da Bir Nazi Doktor: Max Clara - Tıp Terörü Kurbanlarının Peşinde

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Max Clara’nın (1899–1966) İstanbul’daki yaşamının son dönemini (1950–1966) ve buradaki bilimsel faaliyetlerini incelemektir. Clara’nın nasyonal sosyalist dönemdeki ve öncesindeki kariyeri ayrıntılı olarak ortaya konulmuştur, ancak savaş sonrası dönemde akademik hayattan uzaklaştırılmasını izleyen son yılları, eski meslektaşları ve akademik dünya ile olan ilişkileri hakkında neredeyse hiçbir bilgi mevcut değildir. Bu çalışmada, Max Clara’nın İstanbul’daki hayatı, İstanbul Üniversitesi Arşivi’ndeki birincil kaynaklara dayandırılarak belgelenmiştir. Arşiv belgeleri, İstanbul Üniversitesi’nin tarihi ve Türkiye’deki mülteci akademisyenler hakkında mevcut literatür, Clara hakkındaki literatür ve Clara’nın yayınlarının analizleriyle desteklenmiştir. Ayrıca, Clara’nın Almanya’dan getirdiği histolojik ve anatomik materyal alındığı nasyonal sosyalist dönem kurbanlarının kimliklerine ulaşmak amacıyla bulunmaya çalışılmıştır. Max Clara’nın İstanbul yıllarında hayatı, akademik çalışmaları ve dış dünya ile ilişkileri açık ve kapsamlı bir şekilde gün ışığına çıkarılmıştır. Ancak üç bölüme ayrılan histolojik ve anatomik materyaline, materyalin yeni sahipleri olan üniversiteler ve öğretim üyelerinin isteksizliği nedeniyle ulaşılamamıştır. Clara’nın nasyonal sosyalist dönemde mahkumlar üzerinde tıbbi deneyler ve idam edilenlerin etik olmayan bir şekilde temin edilen bedenlerini kullanma gibi etik olmayan uygulamalara karıştığı ayrıntılarıyla ortaya çıkarılmıştır. Akademik yayınlarının analizi, kendi içlerinde büyük tutarsızlıklar ve çarpıtmalar olduğunu ve bu yayınların sanıldığı kadar önemli olmadığını ortaya koymuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Max Clara, Tıp Tarihi, Histoloji Tarihi, Nasyonal Sosyalizm, Nazi Almanyası, Mülteci Akademisyenler, Tıbbi Deney, İnsan Dokusu, Nazi ötanazisi, Irk Islahı

Kaynakça

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