Nazi origins of an anatomy text: the Pernkopf atlas.

Abstract

To the Editor. —We recently found that our library contained an anatomy atlas written by a Nazi, 1 brought to our attention after reading of Ernst's reference to it in his account of events at the University of Vienna in 1938. 2 There are compelling allegations that the author of the atlas, Eduard Pernkopf, an ardent Nazi, 2-5 used material obtained from Nazi victims in the atlas. 2-4 After finding Pernkopf' s atlas in our medical library, our institution, with a medical staff of 1116 members, decided to expunge it from our collection and retain it in a symbolic manner, to remember those events in those times and their lessons. 5 The Pernkopf anatomy atlas is extant, however, and is now actively sold and distributed by Urban & Schwarzenberg. The president and chief executive officer of Waverly Inc, the parent company of Urban & Schwarzenberg and Williams & Wilkins, has indicated, in conversations