Many of the men and women of science and medicine have been honored by having their names associated with the fruits of their labors. We have Paget disease of bone and breast (Sir James Paget 1814 – 1899), Pasteurization (Louis Pasteur 1822 – 1895), Koch’s postulates (Robert Koch 1843 – 1910), and the Curie, a unit of radiation (Marie Curie 1867 – 1934). And then we have Philipp Lenard, Hans Reiter, Eduard Pernkopf, and Hans Asperger, all of whom made significant contributions to science and/or medicine, but whose names are all but forgotten. Lenard was awarded a Nobel Prize; Reiter and Asperger had syndromes named for them; and Pernkopf produced the most realistic anatomy atlas. Why then, have their memories been relegated to the dung heap of history? At one time in their careers, they all embraced an evil philosophy, Nazism, and its false messiah, Adolf Hitler. These are their stories.

 Dr. Daffner is a retired radiologist, who practiced at Allegheny General Hospital for over 30 years. He is Emeritus Clinical Professor of Radiology at Temple University School of Medicine and is the author of 9 textbooks. He is also an amateur historian who shares his knowledge as a Study Leader in the Osher programs at CMU and Pitt. This presentation is from a series of courses Dr. Daffner gives on “History’s Villains." Dr. Daffner and his wife Alva are long-time Beth El members.

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