„Ein Stand im Dienst der Nationalen Sache“ Positionen ärztlicher Standesorganisationen zum Ersten Weltkrieg

The realities of the First World War shattered the myth of the nonpolitical doctor being absorbed by his work. After the outbreak of the war the representatives of the medical profession supported the war policy of the German Government. A wave of extreme nationalism had strongly influenced the leading academic professions including the doctors. International connections within the academic medical community were subordinated to this ideology. The unforeseen continuance of the war weakened the confidence in victory. The rapid deterioration of the health situation of the civilian population and the distress in the sick bays had an effect on the morale among doctors, so that their representatives felt compelled to demonstrate their traditional loyality to the government. From the point of view of the medical profession a lost war could threaten the existing political, social und moral order; therefore critical voices were not given any room in the professional press.